Cheaters Anonymous (23 page)

Get that sinister thought out of your head, Julia
!

I wished I had not missed my weekly meeting at Cheaters Anonymous that day, but we hadn’t wanted to take the chance of running into Brad – no matter how small it was. My friends would have definitely slapped me silly and told me to take a chance. Could I?

As I contemplated all this during my body scrub and then the massage, the idea of trusting myself and Scar grew stronger. There was no one else in this world I should have felt more comfortable to start a relationship with than Scar. He was my best friend. Who else would look out for me as well as Scar?

After a foot rub (which didn’t come close to the one Scar had given me at home) and being covered in facial masks, oils and creams, waxed, and primped as if I were preparing to star in
Dating Naked
, I came out of the spa with a new resolve.

I waited for Scar at the front porch the way he had asked me to. Soon after, the sound of an engine boomed in the distance. The noise roared closer as I stretched my neck to see whether it was Scar. Around the corner, holding onto the steering wheel like a pro, Scar rode in on an ATV. He parked it in front of me, jumped off, and brought an extra helmet.

“Ready?”

“I thought we were going to have dinner?”

“We are.” His smile held secrets, and if I’d thought I couldn’t get any more excited, I was wrong.

“Are you feeling better?” he asked.

“Yes, much better.” I stepped up on my toes and kissed his full lips.

“Note to self: always pamper the hell out of your girlfriend.”

I rolled my eyes – as if he really needed to remember that. Since the moment I’d seen him, Scar had been spoiling me every chance he got.

I put on my helmet and sat behind him, gluing myself to his back. As soon as he revved up the engine, Scar drove off road and onto the terrain. We were going uphill, underneath the stilled gondola. The mountains looked more lush in the summer. Instead of the smooth slopes we used to ski on, there were rocks I’d never seen before, and dips, hills, and valleys that were hidden beyond layers of snow during winter. He finally stopped by a smaller cliff. When I got off the ATV and had a look at the view, there was something familiar about it. I pictured the tree lines and chalets below covered with white fluff, and slowly felt the blood drain from my face.

“Scar... you... I... here...”

Yup, my tongue was not cooperating. Recognizing my shock, Scar smiled, took my hand, and led me toward the cave opening where we had been trapped six years ago. This was the same spot where we’d spent our first – and last – intimate night together. Hoping that when I walked into the cave I’d be able to tell him how much this meant to me, I composed the words in my head; but instead I was once again flabbergasted by the setting. In the middle, there was a table set for two with wine glasses, peach roses, and candles. Above, strung on wires, were hundreds if not thousands of suspended lights, twinkling like stars and illuminating the cave. A sealed-off warming cart was set to the side with what I assumed was dinner. And in the same spot where it had all happened, where Scar had held me in his arms and through the cold night warmed my body with his, touching me until I came, was a foam mattress with a blanket and two pillows. That night we had used our clothes and branches for warmth and comfort. Tonight, it looked like we’d have a cozier spot.

As I took everything in and realized how thoughtful Scar had been to do this, I couldn’t take it any longer. Tears fell down my cheeks on their own, and when I turned to where Scar stood by the entrance and faced him, he rushed over and wiped the drops away with his fingers.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry,” he whispered.

I took his hand into mine, saying, “No, it’s good. They’re happy tears.”

“Thank God!” he breathed.

“I... I’m...just...”

Yup, I still had no words, so I did the only thing that was left and drew my hands up to his neck, bringing his lips lower to meet mine. And I was lost the moment we kissed. My hands held onto him for what seemed like forever as he cupped my face in his palms, tilting my head to the side for that perfect angle, gently stroking his thumbs over my cheeks. He forced my mouth to open wider and his tongue slid deeper inside me like he wanted to get that perfect taste he’d never had. I breathed him in, moaning, feeling that gentle ridge of a scar over the top seam of his lip. He tasted like fresh air mixed with sunshine and a truckload of sexiness. Each time he breathed into me, I felt like he gave me new life and sent fire through my veins.

My movements became more erratic with every passing second, and so did his. Our bodies were connected, hands roaming over every inch of every curve, squeezing and digging into each other’s skin through our clothes.

When Scar finally pulled away, I felt lost. Why had he stopped?

“Dinner?” he asked. “We have to have dinner before...” Scar’s lips were swollen from the kiss and looked so inviting. His words blended in my ears. I was sure he wanted to be a gentleman and at least have dinner before sex, but my gaze just kept darting from him to the comfortable blanket and two pillows.

I took a moment to let the situation sink in. There was no way I would delay this any longer. I couldn’t. Scar was it – he was the man I’d been wanting for years, and I refused to take another step backward. And I didn’t want to follow any dating rules or have society’s idea of what dating was supposed to mean imposed on us. I was done with overanalyzing. I wanted to follow my heart.

“Fuck dinner,” I replied.

From that moment, I didn’t quite remember how I ended up on the blanket with Scar naked and hovering above me. The clothes flew off as if, like Edward Scissorhands, he’d been able to just cut them off my body, though I hadn’t heard a rip or a tear. Now with my body encased beneath his, the weight of him gently pressing into me, the tip of his cock sliding back and forth over my pussy, teasing and probing, I felt more alive and complete than I had in years. Even if this could only happen once, I wanted it. Hell, I needed it. I’d been searching for that perfect feeling and climax for years, and only now realized what had been missing: Scar. It was always him. He had been missing, and that glowing happiness in my chest – that was what had made my one night with him so perfect.

“You’re trembling,” he whispered, pressing his forehead against mine. He kissed the tip of my nose, trailing his lips to my cheek and my ear. “Are you nervous?”

“Anxious,” I said.

“Let me ease that anxiety, then.” His hand slid down my body, over my breast, and his mouth followed the path, his tongue skimming over my nipple, lingering there as if meaning to diversify his palate and grow his appetite. My hips began to circle, looking for that perfect spot I could grind against. While he nipped at my breasts, savoring my springing nipple with his teeth, tongue, and lips, his hand cupped my pussy and my legs fell open.

I heard him breathe more deeply as his fingers circled my opening and pulled my juices up between my swollen folds. That first touch would have been enough to send me over the edge, but I forced myself to hold back. His lips trailed the undercurve of my breast and left a column of searing kisses through the middle of my stomach; and that was when I realized where his downward path was leading. But he gave me no time to think. The feel of his wet tongue licking me from the opening to the tip, his fingers separating my flesh to reveal my bud, and him tasting every inch of my bare skin the way he’d promised, was torturous.

A breeze flew through the cave, reminding me where we were. The coolness of the soft wind against my heated and wet skin made me that much more aware of Scar playing with me.

“Please,” I begged. “I need...”

But there was no need to ask Scar twice. He sealed his lips around my clit, and the first gentle flicks turned into a ravenous suction. His fingers eased inside me, pumping in and out, rubbing against a spot on my inner wall that zapped bliss through my pussy. His tongue whipped through my folds with lightning power, and since thunder always came after lightning, he left me no choice but to come with thunderous force. “Scar! Jesus, Scar!”

Thank God it wasn’t winter time, because I could have caused another avalanche.

But he kept going, reviving the settling orgasm with his mouth each time it was near the end. I wasn’t sure how long he sucked and licked me, but it felt like the euphoria spreading through my body would last forever. I physically pulled his head up for him to stop. His chin was slick with my juices, and he wiped it off with his hand. And I was slowly brought down to earth. This entire time it felt like we’d been flying among the stars, our bodies twined together as one. I finally looked to his awaiting eyes.

“You look lost,” he said.

“No, I think I just found what I was looking for,” I replied. “You.”

“So, you enjoyed?”

“I didn’t think it was possible to be high on an orgasm. I was wrong.”

“That’s really good, Jules.”

“Okay, I think I’m ready for part two.”

“Part two?”

“Yes – you inside me.”

The way he rolled on his condom was like a magic trick: one swift rip of the packet, one stroke downward, and he was ready. He sat back on his heels, pushed my knees apart with his hands and grasped my ass, pulling my hips as close as possible to him, slightly lifting my bottom off the blanket and onto his thighs. With one swift prod he was inside me, buried to the hilt. He stayed there for a moment, as if savoring the feeling. I adjusted my weight, arching my back, feeling him stretch me.

Seriously, I had no idea why he’d used that cock pump in the past. There was really no need for it; in fact, if he got any bigger it would be painful to take him in. The way he felt now was absolutely perfect. With a slight roll of his hips he pulled out, almost his full length, and then slid into me again.

I heard my moan echo through the cave, and he let out an impatient grunt in response.

“Fuck, you’re so wet, Jules. I need to.”

“Yes, yes!” I replied. At this moment I’d give Scar whatever he wanted, and I didn’t expect him to take me to that point of no return again. My body was his. I writhed underneath him, watching beads of sweat form on his chest, feeling his hands mangle my breasts as his pumps quickened. He pinched my nipples and grasped my hips, finally lowering his entire weight onto me, holding himself on his arms. Skin to skin, our bodies were glued with sweat and heat. I wrapped my legs around his slim waist and he thrust into me with more ferocity. The shimmering lights above us blended into one bright light as I felt my body being taken out of this world. I’d always known that being with Scar would be special, but I hadn’t thought it would be this magical.

“Jules...” His voice was hoarse, and the sound of my name released all the doubts and tension I’d held onto for years. Scar’s hips buckled, and after one last push he stilled inside me, his arms trembling from exertion. When he pulled out and rolled onto his side, I took in what had just happened. I had no regrets. There was no doubt in my mind, only a clear picture of the fact that I was lying next to the man I’d had on my mind for years, and it was the most wonderful feeling in the world.

Somewhere in the distance, thunder roared, and the first drops of rain hummed outside.

“I didn’t hurt you, did I?” His breaths were still deep but slowly settling.

“No, why?”

“Your ribs?”

“They’re fine.” I lifted myself on my side and snuggled into his body, laying my head on his chest. Honestly, I’d forgotten all about the torn muscles and healing bruises.

“Promise me something?” I asked. “It may sound funny, but I’m very serious.”

“Anything, Jules. I’ll promise you anything you want.”

“That this isn’t our last time together. I mean, my track record is so poor. I’ve never slept with one man more than once. It’s like a curse, and I want to change that. I want to know that I’ll have you more than once and not worry about it.”

He showed me that crooked smile that I loved, the one that lifted the scarred lip slightly off center.

“Then there’s no better time than the present to start fulfilling my promise.”

And then I was in his arms, tumbling, our bodies connecting, finally breaking my streak of one night stands.

C
HAPTER
21

“Are you hungry?” he asked.

“Starving.”

The night was setting in before we got dressed and finally sat at the beautifully decorated table. Outside, the rain was pouring out of the sky, which made the entire atmosphere that much more romantic. Scar opened the warming cart and plated the steaming filets, baked potatoes, and what appeared to be a Greek salad.

“I also have something special,” he said.

What could be more special than this?

It was a good thing I’d swallowed my gulp of wine before I saw him uncover the container full of chicken nuggets, because I burst out laughing.

“I promise you’ll be fine after these.”

When we’d met here six years ago, before the avalanche buried us, we’d spent the evening in my hotel room – but I’d dipped my nuggets in the hot sauce a bit too much, creating a revolution in my stomach. An hour later I was in the bathroom, plugging the toilet. Scar of course came to the rescue with a plunger, but that day officially went down in history as the most embarrassing day of my life.

“I think it was the sauce,” I said feeling my cheeks warm.

“I loved that about you.”

“What?”

He lifted his chair and brought it to my side. I loved that he always wanted to sit close to me.

“That you were so down-to-earth.”

“Scar, I had no choice.”

“No, you’ve always been... you. And I really missed that, Jules. I think I’ve been plowing through life, pushing away at the challenges, and not really living. Not until now.”

I just looked at him. It was as if he was taking my words and making them his own. For the past six years I’d just wanted to not feel, to get lost, forget, move on – that was, until I saw Scar at the hospital three weeks ago.