A Tale of Two Pretties (13 page)

Twenty-Three

Uncle Tony’s Pizzeria

Wednesday

7:24PM

Mac

I clocked out of work less than half an hour ago. Instead of heading straight home, I detoured off to the pizzeria. I walked in and checked for B-Rad and Darcy, happy to find neither of them on working, yet. For the most part, they worked nights, which worked well for me, since I enjoyed my alone time. I sat at the bar, nodding to Heidi, who brought me a beer with a smile.

“Long day?” she asked.

“You have no idea. I just want to drink alone,” I explained. A soft chuckle behind me reminded me of how unlikely that was. “What do you want, Preston?” I asked as he sat next to me.

He asked Heidi for a Jack and Coke and then turned to me. “You know I’m not a bad guy, right?”

“I know.” I said with a sigh. “But neither was my ex. And I caught him fucking his secretary. First in my bed. And then again on my dining room table.”

“Damn, girl,” he muttered.

“Add to it that my parents disapprove of every single thing in my life, from what I wear to where I live, to the guys I date, or rather, stopped dating, and I just don’t want to deal with anything anymore,” I explained further.

“Parents can be tough,” he murmured. His eyes stared into his drink and I wondered what on earth he was thinking about.

“That’s why I’m taking this trip to Savannah,” I said.

“Savannah? I love Savannah. What are you doing there?” he asked.

“There’s a writing conference. It’s like an author signing thing. I don’t really know too much, since I’ve never been to one,” I whispered the confession.

“Well that’s cool. Do you have a book?”

His interest in what I was doing made my heart soar. “Yeah. I published a few days ago.”

“Have you celebrated yet?”

I shook my head. “No celebrations. I haven’t made a single sale.” It was hard to admit when something you loved failed miserably. I told him the title and explained that I published under a pen name.

“It’s only been a few days,” he said, his words calm. He pulled out his cell phone, ignoring me, so I turned my attention back to my beer, which was almost empty now. “Ah, here we go,” he said, pointing his phone toward me.

He had his browser open to Amazon, my book cover displayed on the screen. I watched as he one-clicked it, making my first sale. It was such a sweet gesture, I had to swallow the lump in my throat. The book was probably going to tank, but I worked hard on it. I took a photo of a flower behind our building and manipulated it with a photo editing app, turning it into the perfect fantasy cover for my book. Of course, I thought it was better than Darcy’s since she just cropped a celebrity photo of the boy band guy with his girlfriend. I wasn’t even sure what she did was legal.

“And now you’ve sold one,” he said with a smile. “So let’s celebrate.”

I was so confused by Preston, so thoroughly unsure of who he was, but I knew who I wanted to be when I was with him: his. I wanted him to take me in his arms and hold me, to tell me that everything would be alright and that I could trust him. But I knew that couldn’t happen. No matter what he said, I wouldn’t believe him, despite the fact that I wanted to. It wasn’t just him, though… Even B-Rad’s words at the mall left me dubious. Men were not to be trusted, as far as I was concerned.

Despite how I felt, I wanted nothing more than to celebrate with Preston. I knew there wasn’t much room left on my credit card, but B-Rad told me last week that we could do a weekly tab if we needed to. It wasn’t smart, but I was tired of being smart, tired of letting people get under my skin and then break my heart. I was going to enjoy myself tonight.

“Let the celebration begin,” I said to Preston, clinking my glass against his. I smiled at him, a true smile, and let myself have at least a little fun.

* * * * *

An hour later, I was way passed buzzed. I wouldn’t say I was totally drunk, but the world was tipped on its side, and that meant I was beyond making good decisions.

“You know, Darcy and B-Rad are going to be here soon. B-Rad texted me a little bit ago,” Preston said, his face so close to mine, I felt his hot breath on my lips.

“Should we get out of here, then?” I asked, a giggle escaping my mouth.

“I should probably get you home,” he suggested.

“No, I don’t wanna go home,” I whined, a completely new thing for me.

“Then I’ll take you somewhere else,” he said, standing up and dropping a hundred dollar bill on the bar. I had no idea where he got his money from, but I was too tipsy to care.

His hand went around my waist and he helped me outside. He hailed a cab and then we were gone, speeding toward some unknown destination. At least I didn’t have to explain myself to Darcy.

In the cab, Preston gave the guy some directions and I kept silent. The tension between us was palpable, or maybe it was just me. All I wanted to do was jump his bones. Alcohol was definitely wreaking havoc on my cognitive function. Instead of fighting it, though, I sat back, letting my head fall onto the headrest. When Preston reached over to hold my hand, I didn’t even blink, choosing instead to let him. The sensation was nice, considering it’d been a long time since I had any intimacy with anyone. His thumb gently stroked the sensitive skin at my wrist, causing goose bumps to prickle the skin on my arm.

I smiled at him, never letting go of his hand. Those hands were talented, and I wanted him to touch me some more.

When the cab stopped several minutes later, I was in a haze of giddy feelings. I let Preston help me out of the cab and then turned to take in our surroundings. We were at a park of some sort, though most of it was deserted. In the distance, I could see a few couples, but no one was anywhere near us, giving us privacy.

Preston tugged on my hand. “C’mon, I want to show you something.” He led me to a small pond and then sat in the grass, pulling me down with him. Instead of sitting next to him, he maneuvered me between his outstretched legs, my back tucked against his chest. I ran my nails along his arms, which were wrapped around my waist. I let myself lean into him, enjoying his warmth and the feeling of contentedness that overwhelmed me. I never wanted to leave this moment.

“Look,” he said, pointing out across the water.

The sun was going down, creating a splash of color across the sky. Pink and yellow mixed with blue and orange, the effect mystifying. I couldn’t remember the last time I watched a sunset, let alone experienced with someone else, someone who cared enough for me to see it.

“It’s beautiful,” I whispered.

“Yeah, it is. I used to come here when I was a kid. There’s hardly ever anyone out here this late because it starts to turn cold, but it’s the most gorgeous spot in the city,” he explained.

I turned my head so I could look into his blue eyes. “And you brought me here?”

“Well, yeah. It’s been a long time since I wanted to bring anyone here, and with you, it just felt right.” He cocked his head to the side, a lazy grin spreading across his face.

I couldn’t stop what happened next if I wanted to, not that I did. His lips descended on mine and I tipped my head up, ready and willing for his kiss. His right hand cupped my cheek, holding me still.

“Don’t break me, MacAllister,” he whispered as his lips touched mine. I didn’t have time to process his words; his touch, his scent, every single thing about him overwhelmed my senses. It was useless for me to do anything but get up on my knees to face him fully and slide my arms around his neck. The corded muscle there begged for my attention and I scored my nails across his skin.

Preston pulled me closer to him, his arms around my waist. Our bodies met with force and I knocked him backwards onto the grass. He dragged me with him, never once letting our lips part. His tongue dueled with my own and every synapse in my brain exploded in pleasure.

He finally let me breathe, his lips moving to my jaw.

“What are you doing to me?” I asked in wonder. It was more rhetorical than anything, but Preston paused.

“This feels so right, Mac,” he whispered against my cheek.

“It really does,” I agreed. I wondered if I had any condoms in my purse, which was scattered somewhere in the grass nearby.

“Which is why we’re going to stop,” he said, his voice steely.

I pulled away from him to look in his eyes. “What?”

He helped me sit up, putting distance between us. He backed up and laid his arms across his bent knees. “It can’t happen like this.”

I opened my mouth to protest but snapped it shut. I was pissed. How dare he turn me on so completely and then turn me down like that? I took a steadying breath but remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

“I know I look like a dick, but trust me, you’ll be thankful for this tomorrow,” he promised.

“Kiss my ass,” I muttered back, getting to my feet. I swayed a little and Preston was there in an instant to steady me. I snatched my purse out of his hand. “Don’t touch me.”

Drunk or sober, I told myself right then that Preston wasn’t worth the chase.

***

Twenty-Four

Uncle Tony’s Pizzeria

Thursday

8:13 PM

Darcy

To Britain with Love
was done. Completely done. Most of the places I’d seen said a professional formatter and editor was best, but I wanted to get it ready to publish before we went to Savannah. I had enough editing skills being an English major and I used trial and error with formatting. I figured it was good enough and ready for uploading… Of course I couldn’t upload because I was working as hostess and busgirl.
Dammit.

“Hey, are you okay?” I jumped and quickly stuffed my phone into my apron. I wasn’t supposed to have it out at work, but I couldn’t help staring at the files that were begging for me to upload them.

I turned slowly and saw Brad with his eyebrow raised.

I nodded. “Yeah. Fine. Just a little distracted. I finished my book and I’m just so ready to hit publish on it.

“Really? Your book is done and ready to publish? That’s awesome.” He grinned.

“Yeah, now I just need to wait until midnight when I get off and hope I don’t wake Mac up when she’s passed out and I’m trying to log into the Wi-Fi that we’re borrowing.” Hopefully he didn’t hold it against me that we were stealing the pizzeria’s internet. It was a necessary evil.

“Why don’t you just go up to my apartment and upload everything? I have internet there and it should be quiet.”

I blinked. “Are you serious right now? What about work?”

He looked around the room. “We aren’t too busy right now and I’m sure Kellie can cover bussing her own tables for a while and I’ll help out with the host stuff. I’d rather have you get your book stuff done then be distracted here all night and doing a half-ass job.”

I gasped. “Am I that bad tonight? I’m sorry.”

He shook his head and glanced behind him before taking my hand and squeezing it lightly. “You’re fine. You’re also dating the boss, so when I tell your fine ass to go up to my apartment and get your book uploaded, you do what I say, all right?”

I wanted to kiss him. To say
fuck it
to what everyone else thought and throw my arms around him, giving him a big smooch. But I knew better, especially at work, so instead, I just squealed. “Thank you so much! I promise I’ll make up the shifts!”

“You do what you have to do, and if you’re still there when I get off work, we can hang out and celebrate.” The grin broadened on his face as he let go of my hand.

“Sounds like a plan,” I agreed.

* * * * *

It took me a few hours, but I finally figured out how to set up my account and get all my files uploaded. Once I hit publish, I stared at the tiny pop up that told me my book was publishing.
I did it
. I was finally going to be a published author.

No sooner had I finished, than Brad opened the front door, his smile widening as soon as he saw me on the couch. “Hey, you’re still here.”

“Yep.” I set my computer down on the coffee table and stood up. “And I just hit publish!”

“That’s awesome.” He rushed over and swooped me into his arms, spinning me around before setting me back on my feet, his arms still firmly wrapped around my waist. “We should celebrate.”

I didn’t even think about what time it was or if I should get back to my apartment, instead I just went for it. After all the hard work, I was ready for a reward. “Hell yeah.”

“I have vodka and I think still some cranberry juice in the fridge.” He let go of my waist and took my hand, guiding me over the fridge where he opened it and pulled out the alcohol and grabbed two glasses, mixing the drinks.

He handed me one of them and took the other. “To publishing,” he said, lifting his glass.

“To publishing.” I clinked his glass and took a big gulp. It went down smoother than I remembered and I didn’t mind celebrating.

“So what happens now?” he asked.

I took another sip of my drink. “Hopefully, it goes on all the websites soon, people buy it, and I’m a best seller or something.”

“Then let’s hope for that.” He grabbed the vodka, pouring more in my now half-empty glass. I didn’t think I was too drunk yet, so another drink couldn’t hurt.
I was celebrating, right?

Of course it didn’t take too long for the alcohol to hit my system, and by the time I finished my drink, the effects were definitely taking place. I felt a lot calmer and in the mood for some other kinds of celebrating.

I leaned against the counter, setting my glass down. Slowly Brad turned toward me and I wrapped my fingers through his belt loops, pulling him to me.

“Are you looking for another drink? Or something else?” He nuzzled my neck and I let out a small sigh.

“Definitely something else,” I murmured and tilted my head back, giving him better access before I could think what I was really doing. I said I didn’t want a new relationship, and with every fiber of my being I believed that, but there was something about Brad, something that was so different from anyone else I’d been with, that had me craving all of him and damn the consequences. At least, while I was buzzed, it all seemed like a very good idea.

He kissed a trail from my neck and up to my jawline until his lips were on mine. He tasted sweeter than the cranberry juice we were drinking and I couldn’t get enough of him as I wrapped my arms around his neck, pushing my hips to meet his

He leaned back, peeling his shirt off and tossing it to the ground next to us before his lips were on mine again.

Slowly Brad broke the kiss, his lips trailing down my jawline as his fingers tip-toed up my shirt. He ran his hand along the edge of my bra line and I hissed in a breath, relishing in the feel of his warm hands on my skin. He didn’t stop moving, slowly sliding his fingers underneath my bra until they were at my nipples, drawing small circles over them until I cried out, arching my back and pushing my hips harder into him.

“Fuck, Darcy,” he moaned.

“As long as you have a condom,” I replied, unbuttoning his jeans. Fuck my protests about not moving to the next level or having a relationship with him, when I felt all of him pressed against me it was all I could think about.

He pressed his forehead to mine. “Bought an economy size box the day you moved in. It’s up in my night stand.”

I raised my eyebrows. “So you’ve been planning on getting me into your bed since then?”

“A guy can only hope, can’t he? Especially when I think about the sweet sounds you’re going to make when I’m inside of you.” He nipped at my bottom lip.

“How am I going to manage to wait for that when we have to walk all the way up stairs?” I teased, running my finger down his bicep.

He cupped my ass, raising me into the air. I squealed before wrapping my legs around his waist while he turned and headed for the stairs. “I didn’t mean you actually needed to carry me!”

“I like having you in my arms,” he replied before getting on the first step. For being a lean guy, he definitely had some strength. He carried me all the way up the spiral staircase before throwing me on the bed. I leaned back, as he crawled on top of me, his lips hovering just above mine. “Told you I could handle you.”

I smiled slyly before wiggling out from underneath him and forcing him onto his back as I straddled his waist, my thighs pressing against his hips. “Let’s see if you really can...”

He raised an eyebrow. “What kind of moves do you have, Peach?”

I crouched down, kissing a trail down his stomach until I ran my tongue along the cross tattoos that poked out from the waistband of his jeans. Slowly, I unzipped them, tugging them down with his boxers until I was able to toss them on the ground.

What. The. Fuck
.

He was trim, about average height, and I expected an average sized dick. Not the giant one-eyed monster that was staring me in the face. I swallowed hard, trying to collect myself. Maybe I could get away without actually trying to put it in my mouth. I could do the whole teasing thing; maybe that would work.

I trailed my kisses just above his dick, then ran my tongue along his shaft. He sucked in a breath, his legs shaking. Okay. Good. He was liking that at least. I slowly sat up and took off my shirt, thanking God I at least wore a black bra, or a bra at all, really.

“Come here, Peach,” he grabbed my hips, pulling me down on top of him. I squealed before his lips were on mine and his hands were at my back, fiddling with the clasps on my bra. After he stopped spending so much time kissing me and more time focused on my bra, I moved my hand back, unhooking it and tilting back, peeling it off and tossing it on the floor.

“Show off,” he muttered.

“Sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry about.” He sat up with me sitting on his lap and gripped onto my waist pulling me forward until his lips were at my nipple. I sucked in a deep breath, bucking my hips forward as he sucked on the sensitive skin, using his other hand to rub small circles over my other nipple. I gripped onto his hair, tugging it so that a low groan emitted from his mouth and onto my chest. His exposed cock dug into my belly button and I was more than ready for him.

He moved his free hand down to the waist band of my shorts, dipping his fingers just below the surface so he grazed my bare skin. I moaned, loving the feel of his warm hands all over me. Moving the other hand, he gripped my hips, then moved his mouth up to mine for a quick kiss before he flipped me onto my back so that he was hovering over me and my thighs were still firmly pressed against his waist.

With one hand, he unzipped my shorts and lifted my legs into the air, pulling them off along with my panties, leaving me completely naked and exposed underneath him.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, running his thumb along my bottom lip.

“You don’t need to tell me that just to fuck me,” I mumbled.

He shook his head, leaning back and opened the top drawer of his nightstand, pulling out a gold foil packet. “Peach, you don’t give yourself enough credit. I want more than just to fuck you. I want all of you.”

I grabbed the condom from his hand and ripped it open, throwing the wrapper to the ground before running my thumb along the underside of his shaft with my free hand. “So you don’t want to be in me?”

He closed his eyes, sucking in a breath before slowly opening them. They were fiercely blue and so full of desire that just staring at them warmed everything between my thighs. “More than you know.”

I rolled the condom onto him and gripped onto his hips, spreading my legs out before he slowly pressed into me. I gasped, gripping onto his shoulders and arched my back as each inch after delicious inch went inside of me. He rocked his hips forward, grabbing my legs and putting them over his shoulders, thrusting harder.

Gasping, I dug my nails into his back, rocking my body to the same movement as his and circling my hips ever so slowly, his cock stirring inside of me and building me up to eruption.

“Damn, Darcy, you feel amazing,” he breathed.

I could barely form words, so instead I just answered with the climax that ensued by gripping onto his back and pressing my hips to his, arching my back and crying out. “Oh, fuck.”

At that point I expected he would follow soon after, but he kept going, thrusting harder and bringing another mind-blowing orgasm that had my toes going numb. I didn’t even know how much longer I would last, but I knew the move that would have him.

Pulling back, slightly, I arched my back and put my hands on his chest. “Wanna try something?”

He stopped moving. “If you’re going to put your finger in my ass, the answer is no.”

“Okay, way to set the mood.” I rolled my eyes and pushed him back slightly so that he pulled out of me. I turned slowly until I was on my stomach. I put my hands on either side of me and slowly lifted myself up into a plank before wrapping my legs around his waist.

Brad gripped onto my sides and pressed into me. I dropped onto my elbows, keeping my thighs up and around his waist, feeling the smooth movements as he bucked his hips forward over and over. I didn’t think three orgasms in one round was possible, but when he moved his hand underneath me and his thumb circled my clit as he continued to thrust, my climax took hold so fiercely that my whole body shook and I bit down hard on my bottom lip so I didn’t cry out.

“Fuck,” he moaned one last time before he stiffened, his movements coming to a complete stop. He stayed in me, breathing slowly as his hands trailed down my spine before he pulled out of me and collapsed on the bed.

I wasn’t sure if I could move. My legs felt like jelly, so I slowly turned and crawled to the head of the bed where he was laying. Instinctively, he put his arm around me and pulled me close. We didn’t say anything for a while. My breathing was just as labored as his rapid heartbeat against my cheek. My eyelids fluttered and I knew I had to get out before I fell asleep.

Even though I didn’t want to get up I slowly sat up and reached over the side of the bed to where my clothes had been thrown, quickly picking them up and getting dressed as I sat on the edge of the bed.

“What are you doing?” Brad asked.

I clasped my bra and turned toward him as I slipped my shirt over my head. “Getting dressed.”

“Well, stop it and come lay back down here with me.” He held his hand out, his eyes intensely focused on me.

“No. I should go. It’s late and Mac’s probably wondering where the hell I am.”

His fingers ran along my bare arm, leaving goose bumps in their wake. “You can just tell her you worked late and crashed here so you didn’t wake her. I’ll even say you slept on the couch.”

I stared at the star tattoos on his chest instead of looking directly at him. I knew he wanted me to stay, but sleeping in bed with him all night meant more expectations. More coupledom. More things I couldn’t worry about.

“No... I’ll just go home. We have to be up early for Savannah tomorrow and the last thing I want is for her to come over here and find us naked in bed together.” I leaned forward and placed a light kiss on his lips.