Chapter 24 #2
Across the bar, the fucker takes a step closer to Maya, despite the hand she’s thrown up in warning.
I take it as my cue to step in. She doesn’t need to be this close to her shithead ex for another moment.
Plus, if I don’t interfere in the next minute or so, there’s a good chance Kennedy, who’s standing on Maya’s other side, will start a bar fight.
I weave my way through the crowd toward the bar and snake my arms around Maya, tightening them until her back’s pressed against my torso. “Hey, baby. Everything okay?”
She leans against me but doesn’t take her eyes off Kennedy, as if she’s certain a boxing match will break out if she glances away.
Kennedy jabs her finger into the interloper’s chest. “This sorry excuse for a man doesn’t understand the concept of leave us the fuck alone.”
Josh doesn’t even register Kennedy’s poke since he’s staring, slack-jawed, at me. “You’re Nicholas Berrett. Holy shit. Babe, do you know him?”
Babe? Hell no.
“Yes, Josh, I know him.” Maya sighs and rests a hand over mine at her waist. “He’s my boyfriend.”
“He can also kick your ass if you touch her one more time.” I zero in on where his hand is inching toward her arm. “So I’d be very careful if I were you.”
He heeds my warning but ignores my presence otherwise. “Is he why you won’t get back together with me?”
Maya rolls her eyes. “I won’t get back together with you because you cheated on me.”
“With someone who looks like the second coming of Cruella de Vil,” Kennedy adds, crossing her arms over her chest. Her ferocious protectiveness of Maya deserves a standing ovation.
“I was drunk,” he argues, as if being under the influence excuses his behavior. “And—”
Maya rubs her temple. “I’m not arguing the finer points of you sleeping with someone else while we were together. I’ve moved on, and you really should, too.”
“You think he’s staying loyal?” Josh snorts, waving his hand in my general direction.
He takes a swig of his drink. Did he not hear the part where I said I could beat the ever-loving shit out of him?
“He’s a professional hockey player, for fuck’s sake, My.
He probably has puck bunnies in every city. ”
“My relationship is none of your business,” Maya snaps, eyes narrowing to daggers. “Nothing in my life is, because you’re not a part of it any longer.”
He shakes his head. “Was I ever, though?”
Maya goes rigid against me. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re very good at keeping people at arm’s length. Don’t try to deny it. You’re like an iron vault who’s determined to keep relationships from getting too serious.” Josh’s eyes shift to me. “Enjoy it while it lasts. I’m sure she’ll dip out sooner rather than later.”
I’m certain she’ll either bitch slap him or bitch him out, but in the end, she simply shrugs. “This has been an absolute pleasure, but if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to be anywhere but here.”
Pushing away from the bar, Maya turns, and without looking back, she disappears into the crowd.
Josh twists his head to track her, but I hold up a hand to block him before he can take a step forward.
“Don’t even think about it,” I warn, my voice low. “You fucked up. Cut your losses, man. She’s mine now, and I have no intention of letting her go.”
His eyes go hard. “I—”
I shake my head. “I don’t like you. At all. I sincerely suggest moving along before I have to show you just how much I don’t like you. Understand?”
For a moment, I watch him, giving him time to think over his options. Luckily, he makes the right choice and leaves, although he does so with a scowl.
“Thank you for the backup,” Kennedy sighs, leaning onto the bar. “He appeared next to us like a damn apparition. You want to go find her, or should I?”
“I got it.”
I find Maya with Sophie, Jake, and Logan at a high top by the pool tables.
A small frown plays at the corners of her lips as she listens to Jake, who’s gesticulating wildly, clearly telling a story.
She may claim she’s fine, but I don’t know how anyone would be after that.
Makes me grateful that I’ve never been serious enough about a girl to have any real exes.
Boston may be big, but it’s not big enough for a lover scorned.
Cameron’s ex taught us all that the hard way.
Sophie greets me with a friendly smile and scoots over so I can stand next to Maya. How she and Cam share genetics is beyond me. Sophie’s sunshine and sugar, while he’s a rainy storm cloud.
“You okay?” I murmur into Maya’s ear.
She shrugs off the question with a tight smile. “I’m fine.”
“I’ve got two sisters, baby,” I chuckle. “Fine never just means fine. Talk to me.”
With a sigh, she glares at me. “This isn’t the place, Cole. Drop it for now, okay? We can talk later.”
Letting her think I’m letting the subject go, I turn to Logan. “Want me to go get the cake?”
Like he does every year, he feigns surprise when his favorite dessert is mentioned.
As if he’s not the one who sent Kennedy an entire “mood board” for his triple-tier chocolate cake with Oreo frosting.
Instantly, he switches to party planner mode, debating where to set the cake so the gathered crowd can serenade him.
“Come get the cake with me.” I grab Maya’s hand before she has a chance to respond and pull her down the poorly lit hallway that leads to the stockroom.
Once I’ve typed the four-digit passcode Logan gave me into the lock mechanism and am granted access, I tug Maya inside.
Then I ensure the door locks behind us. The light flickers on, bringing into view the metal shelves filled with liquor bottles, mixers, and drink garnishes.
She takes in the cake box that’s sitting next to oranges and lemons in the fridge and turns to me. “You really brought me here so I can help you carry that? I think you’ve got enough muscle to handle it, Cole.”
“I brought you here to talk.”
With a beleaguered sigh, she crosses her arms over her chest. “What part of we can talk later was not clear to you?”
I motion to the empty room around us. “Why talk later when we can talk now?”
“Why do you need to know now? Do you think he’s right?
That I’m keeping you at arm’s length?” Her lips wobble a little before she reins in the emotion threatening to break through.
“Because I’m trying not to. I really, really am.
I meant it when I said we could talk about it later.
I just didn’t want to bring down the mood and ruin anyone’s night. ”
“I know. That’s not w—”
“And I’m not good at relationships, Cole. I never claimed to be. I’ve always dated just for fun, not because I was invested in an actual future with someone. Maybe I don’t know how to do that. Maybe you should just cut your—”
Before she winds herself up even more, I firmly plant my lips on hers. And I keep them there until she sinks into the kiss.
“I was in the middle of talking,” she mumbles against my mouth.
“No, you were in the middle of spouting bullshit, baby. And I won’t let him, or you, convince you that you’re not good at relationships.”
She huffs out a sharp breath. “Objectively, I’m really not.”
“Or you just weren’t dating the right person.” Wrapping my arms around her, I tug her tight against my body. “But now you are. And I’m not going to let you push me away. I’m just going to pull you closer. So stop fighting it. We’ll figure this out together, okay?”
After what feels like an eternity but isn’t more than about thirty seconds, the stress lines on her forehead disappear, and she rests her chin on my chest and nods. She goes lax against me, seemingly accepting what I’ve said. It’s heady, knowing I have that kind of effect on her.
We stay like that for a minute, soaking in the feel of one another. Eventually, though, Maya lets out a long laugh. “How hugging me can get you hard is beyond me.”
I hoped she wouldn’t notice, but with her body pressed against mine, it’s no wonder she does. “My dick always takes notice when you’re close.”
“Mm-hmm.” She snakes a hand down my chest and over my abs until she reaches the body part in question. “You know… I once read a book where the main characters fuck in a supply closet at a party.”
I school the surprise on my face, not wanting to appear too eager. “Sounds spicy.”
With a light squeeze of my cock, she nibbles on her lower lip. “You have no idea.”
Testing her resolve, I toy with the hem of her dress, gently guiding the fabric up her legs.
I work it over her stomach and chest, and finally over her head and off completely, leaving her in just a lacy thong, bra, and those sexy-as-sin thigh-high leather boots.
I’ve tasted and kissed every inch of her body, but it never fails to knock me breathless.
Neither of us says anything, not wanting to break the layer of anticipation the silence brings.
I expertly unhook her bra, and when the heavy weight of her breasts spills into view, there’s no stopping the moan that escapes me.
Goddamn. My fingers trail against her soft skin, leaving goose bumps in their wake.
Replacing my fingers with my mouth, I kiss my way down her collarbone to her cleavage, then lock my lips around a nipple.
I take my time tweaking, squeezing, and sucking on them until she’s rubbing her legs together.
Chuckling, I slip my hand between her thighs and drag my fingers over her clit in torturously slow circles. “Mmm. Already ready for me, baby?”
With her back arched like a goddamned vision, she nods. “God, yes.”
I don’t break eye contact as I lower to my knees, but once I’m in position, I drink her in. Fucking hell, she’s gorgeous. “I think we can get you wetter, don’t you?”
Without waiting for a response, I toss her leg over my shoulder, tug her thong to the side, and run my tongue along her pussy.
I rhythmically flick at her clit, my movements quick but with the exact amount of pressure she loves.
She grips the sides of my head as if she’s worried I’ll stop, and in return, I grasp her ass, tugging her tighter against my mouth, silently promising I’ll do no such thing.
Hips rolling against my face, she moans.
The faster I lick, the louder she gets, until her arousal is coating my chin and lips as she comes with a strangled cry.
Maya’s still catching her breath as I stand up, but I grip her hips and spin her around quickly. “Turn around and put your hands on the wall.”
She shimmies out of her underwear, watching from over her shoulder as I unbutton my pants and take out my aching cock.
Rubbing my thumb over the sensitive head, I take in the sight of her, wet and waiting for me.
Her focus is fixed on my hands as I deftly roll on a condom.
Thank fuck I had one stored in my wallet.
“This is gonna be fast and rough, baby.” Kissing her shoulder, I line myself up at her entrance and slide home. The tight squeeze of her pussy never fails to pull a desperate groan from deep in my chest.
Maya pushes her ass back, taking me deeper, and I welcome the invitation. Every time with her feels like the first time, and there’s no doubt in my mind I’ll be just as feral for her at age eighty as I am now.
Gripping her hips for leverage, I punch forward, moaning at the way she takes me so well. “This pussy is mine, isn’t it, baby? All fucking mine.”
“Ye-yes,” she chokes out, her core tightening around me.
“Good girl.”
The moans slipping through her lips, sensual and full of need, are an addiction that no treatment can cure.
With a hand between her legs, I rub her already sensitive clit, spurred on by her cries of pleasure.
I get lost in the sound of her moans, in the warmth of her skin, and the feel of her surrounding me.
As my thrusts become sharper, I place one hand on the wall for leverage.
The slight shift lets me hit Maya’s sweet spot, based on the way her jaw drops open and her walls clench tighter around me.
“Oh—” Her breath catches and her hips stutter, but I keep my pace steady as she explodes. She sinks her teeth into my forearm to muffle her shouts as she rides wave after wave of pleasure.
The way she grips me as she comes sets off my own release. My hips falter as I climax, panting into her neck and diving into the blissful feeling.
Breaths sawing in and out of her, she drops her head back into the crook of my neck. “That was—”
“Hot.”
“I was going to say a major health code violation,” she laughs, “but hot works, too.”
I brush my lips against hers. “You ready to go back to the party?”
She nods. “Thanks for making me talk.”
“Thanks for making me happy.”