Never Enough: A New Adult Romance (14 page)

“Where am I taking him?” I asked, forcing my eyes to remain on the road in front of me. I wanted her to say we’d be dropping him off at Jed’s apartment, but I knew Temperance. There was no way she was going to let her crush crash anywhere but at our house.

“Our house. He can sleep in my room,” she said and Nik moaned something that sounded a lot like “yes, please”.

Her cheeks flushed and I ground my teeth together in aggravation. Temperance and I should have been having sex in the cab of my truck, not lugging around that sack of shit and taking care of him all night because some chick dumped his ass.

“Then you’re staying with me,
Temperance,” I replied.

She glanced up at me.
I expected her to argue with me, but was surprised when she asked, “You sure?”

I shouldn’t have cared, but t
here was no way in hell she was going to be sleeping in the same room as that drunken slob. I just couldn’t handle that. “Yes, I’m sure.”

Nik was snoring by the time we arrived back to our place and I had to nearly carry him up to her room. I dumped him onto her bed and when she started to undress him, I folded my arms across my chest. I didn’t want to see him naked, but there was no way in hell I was going to leave her alone with him. He
was obviously interested in her and if he woke up and her hands were anywhere near his crotch, he’d probably think she was coming onto him.

“Could you grab me a bottle of water?” she asked as she grabbed her trashcan and placed it near the bed.

I didn’t want to leave, but nodded anyway. I pushed myself away from the wall and strode quickly to the kitchen. When I returned, she was sitting on the edge of the bed, rubbing Nik’s back. My stomach churned, but I forced myself to play it cool.

“Should I stay with him?”
she asked, seemingly unsure of what to do. She probably had very little experience with drunk people.

I glanced over at Nik who seemed to be sleeping soundly.

“I think he’ll be fine and these walls are so thin you’ll be able to hear if he needs help,” I suggested and was relieved when she nodded and pushed herself off the bed.

“Thanks for helping me,” Temperance said as she walked into my room and flopped down on my mattress. I liked seeing her there.
If I didn’t know this had to end sometime, I’d say that I could get used to her being in my room.

“Sure,” I replied, not being able to take my eyes off her.
She was beautiful, even in the shadows, her brilliance shone through. I wanted to strip her of her clothes slowly and then take her in every possible way.

“He’s just really hurting. I think he was really in love with that girl…”

I didn’t care about Nik or his broken heart. All I cared about was getting Temperance naked and getting inside her. But before I could make my move, she pushed herself up and made her way toward my door.

“Where are you going?” I asked and those big green eyes looked up at me.
I could lose myself in them.

“I forgot my pajamas,” she replied.

“You don’t need them,” I said bluntly and her cheeks flushed prettily.

“But Nik…” she said huskily.

“He’s out of it…you’ll just have to make sure to keep it down.”

Her lips turned up at the corners and she hit my arm playfully. “You’re just as loud.”

I didn’t doubt it. When I was in Temperance, I lost control. Things like subtlety didn’t mean a thing when I was with her. Just thinking of it had me wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her into me.

“Enough talking?” I asked.
I was suddenly incredibly hungry for her. I needed her to slake the desperation that had been building within me all evening.

She didn’t respond. Instead she slid her hands up my shirt and raked her fingernails down my chest. It was all she needed to say.

***

I woke up to Temperance sneaking out of bed. She fumbled around in the dark and I saw her grab my shirt from the ground and pull it over her head before leaving the room. I pushed myself up and followed her
next door.

“Everything okay?” I asked and she jumped. She looked over at me and I thought I saw guilt flash across her face. That sinking feeling rose up within me
, but I pressed it down. I didn’t want to read too much into it. She just had sex with me. Me, not Nik. But the thought of eventually losing her to someone like him was almost unbearable. I don’t know why I kept this up when I knew it would end badly. I just didn’t want to end it soon…or anytime, actually.

“Just checking on him,” she replied. “You can go back to sleep.”

“He okay?” I asked, feigning concern.

“Yeah, I just wanted to make sure.”

I glanced over at Nik before my eyes shifted back to Temperance. She seemed torn between staying with Nik and coming back to my room. The sex must not have been that good if that slobbering mess was more appealing than me. She seemed to be waiting for me to leave, so reluctantly I turned around and headed back to my room.I flopped down on the bed and stared at my ceiling. Even though Temperance was sleeping with me, it wouldn’t stop her from looking for something better. For someone who could give her a future. And from what Nik had said in the bar, it seemed like he wouldn’t mind getting a piece of her.

Before my mind could spiral out of control, my phone vibrated on my bed stand. I fumbled for it, frowning when I saw what Jonathan had texted me.

Your sister just contacted me. She’s in town.

I rubbed my hand over my face and groaned. I wasn’t ready to talk to my sister. She had chosen her side three years ago. She’d made her decision, and that decision didn’t involve me being in her future. I didn’t text Jonathan back. I didn’t want to ruin my night with Temperance, especially since I wasn’t sure how long this whole arrangement was going to last.

“What’s wrong?” Temperance asked as she slid back into bed with me. I was coming to find I really enjoyed having her sleep next to me. It was the companionship I had been missing out on for the past year.

“Nothing,” I replied, not wanting to drag her into the drama that was my family when she had Nik next door drooling on her bed.

“You sure?” she asked, as she curled up on her side and watched me.

“Yeah,” I replied, knowing it seemed like I was hiding something from her. I was, but not for the reasons she thought. I also didn’t want to ruin my night with Temperance. I doubted we could find another excuse to sleep in the same bed again, unless Nik decided to get wasted on a weekly basis and ended up sleeping over.

I reached over and grabbed her hips, pulling her toward me. She came willingly and I loved how pliable and eager she was.

“Enough talking?” I asked, my lips brushing against her neck, nipping her collarbone.

She trembled under my touch. “Yes,” she breathed.

And that was the most talking we did the rest of the night.

Chapter Twelve

Temperance

“What the hell?” Nik grunted from my room, jerking me awake. I was still naked in Damien’s bed, strewn across his bare chest. This was not how I wanted Nik to see me. I tried to sit upright, but Damien’s arms tightened around me, holding me in place. Normally this would have been a dream come true. Not only was it light enough so I could read his tattoos, but I was also pressed up against his masculine frame. However, at this moment, my brother’s best friend was next door and I didn’t want what Nik was about to see relayed to my brother.

“Hello?” Nik said, his voice coming around the corner. He sounded like he didn’t know where he was, which wasn’t a surprise. He had been pretty plastered last night. I closed my eyes and pressed my face into Damien’s neck, knowing there was no way to disappear. I hoped all our vulgar bits were covered up.

“Tempie?” Nik’s voice was a mixture of shock and amusement as he glanced in Damien’s room.

I looked up and gave him a shy smile. Nik looked just as handsome as he normally did, just a little more disheveled.

“Hey,” I replied.

My voice must have woken Damien because he stirred beneath me. His arms loosened around my waist, allowing me to sit up.

Holding the sheets over my naked chest, I turned my gaze to Nik and asked, “How are you feeling?”

“Like shit, but you look…well taken care of,” Nik said, a small smile pushing he corners of his lips up.

I flushed as Damien propped himself up on his elbows, his gaze narrowing in on Nik. God, Damien looked so good, almost edible. “You look like shit,” Damien said, almost smugly.

“I’m sure I do compared to you,” Nik told Damien. “But then how can you not when you’ve got Tempie in bed with you.”

I flushed, wanting to take the focus off of me. “You need a ride to your car?” I asked Nik who was now leaning against the doorframe.

“Sure do, but I’d hate to disturb you two,” Nik replied, his eyes twinkling despite his obvious hangover.

“No, no it’s fine. Just give me a minute to get dressed,” I said and I saw Damien frown next to me.

“Sure thing. I’ll be downstairs drinking a gallon of water,” Nik replied, pushing off the wall and striding away.

I glanced over at Damien who was watching me intently. “Want me to go with you?”

I shook my head. “No, it’s fine. It won’t take long.”

Reaching over, I pulled Damien’s shirt from the ground and slid it over my naked body.

“You look good in my clothes,” he said lowly and I shot him a small smile.

“I know.”

“What are you doing today?” Damien asked, his eyes watching me intently. I shuddered, wishing I could have just stayed in bed with Damien the rest of the day. Last night had been impressive to say the least and I just wanted to stay in his bed and never leave.

“The only plans I have set in stone are class today. It’s with Maggie though and sometimes we grab food after.”

Damien nodded, his jaw lined with stubble and I wanted nothing more than to crawl back in bed and kiss my way across his face. Instead I picked up my clothes from the floor and made my way to the door.

“See you when you get home?” Damien asked and I nodded. I left him looking incredibly sexy and went to hop in the shower. As I waited for the water to warm up, I glanced at myself in the mirror. I looked different and not because I’d been thoroughly fucked. My eyes seemed brighter and my skin almost seemed to glow. If I kept this up with Damien I was going to look like a supermodel at the very end of it all. My heart would be sliced in two, but at least I’d have that.

I ran my hand under the water and when I was satisfied it was hot enough, stepped inside. Before I could lather up my hair, I heard the bathroom door open. Glancing around the shower curtain, I saw a fully naked Damien approaching me.

“What are you doing?” I asked, even as my heart thumped in my chest. “Nik’s waiting for me.”

Damien ignored my protest, as he stepped in behind me. “Nik can wait,” he said lowly as he pressed his hand to the top of my back, bending me forward. I braced my palms on the tile before me as he spread my legs with his. He positioned himself at my entrance and slowly slid into me, filling me completely. It was torturous and amazing at the same time, making me completely forget I had a hungover guest downstairs waiting for me. 

***

“You look…what’s the word,” Nik began as he followed me to my car. “Oh yes…satiated. You look incredibly satiated.”

I rolled my eyes as I unlocked the car doors and the two of us slid inside. Starting the engine, I backed out of the driveway with Nik’s eyes on me the entire time. It had rained last night, leaving the roads wet and the skies gray.

“So are you two a couple?” Nik asked when I didn’t acknowledge his attempts to probe into my life.

“No, we’re friends.”

“Friends with benefits?” he asked, his perfect eyebrows rising.

I turned my gaze toward him. “Instead of talking about me, why don’t we talk about you? Why were you getting wasted at a shady bar last night?”

That seemed to put him in his place. He leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes. “Don’t make me tell you,” he groaned.

When he peeked over at me and found me glaring at him, he pressed the heels of his palms against his eyes.

“Fine. Fine. It’s about Elsie.”

“What about her?”

“She’s sending my stuff back to me. It’s over. It’s really over,” he said sadly.

“And that made you go out and drink yourself useless?”

“No, one of my friends back east called and told me he saw her with another guy last night. They were kissing,” Nik replied, glancing down at his lap. “I was that easily replaceable.”

My heart went out to him. Reaching over, I grabbed his hand. “No you’re not. You’re amazing and caring and loyal. You’re a great guy. She’s stupid for leaving you.”

Nik glanced over at me, his eyes piercing mine. “You’re a good friend, Tempie. Damien’s a lucky bastard.”

I flushed. “We’re not together. We’re just friends.”

“Who sleep together…often if what I heard in the shower was any indication.”

My cheeks were on fire now and I forced my gaze up ahead. “It’s only temporary.”

“How temporary?”

“We said that we would keep…you know…until one of us found someone else.”

His eyebrows rose. “So you can date other people?”

“Yes, but we can’t sleep with other people until we end it with each other.”

Nik seemed to think that over for a moment before asking, “Who’s decision was it to keep it casual like this?”

“Mine, but he’s the one who’s reluctant to commit, I think. Some girl broke his heart.”

His eyebrows shot up, “Really?”

“Yeah, although I don’t know much about her. I’m assuming it wasn’t pretty.”

“Probably not if he’s just keeping it casual between you two. He’s an idiot to let some girl get in the way of having you.”

It was amazing how just being with Damien casually had made Nik’s comments insignificant. Previously I would have died to have him say something like that to me. Now I just wanted Damien to say those things to me. “Thanks, Nik,” I replied as I pulled into the parking lot where his car was. “Next time just drink at home.”

“Right. I’m sure you don’t want any more interruptions now that you have Damien.”

I rolled my eyes and sighed. “You’re ridiculous. Now be safe driving home and text me when you get there.”

He leaned over and pressed a kiss to my cheek. “You’re a good friend, too good for Damien, but I doubt after what I saw this morning you even care.”

“You’re right. I don’t,” I said with a laugh as he stepped out of my car. I watched his long legs as they strode across the wet pavement and waited until he had started up his car before I pulled out of the parking lot.

I drove as fast as I could home. I had an hour before I had to go to class and I wanted to see Damien once more before I took off. It was silly, really. I wouldn’t mind having sex with him again because I was that insatiable, but what I really wanted to do was spend time with him. Maybe talk about something other than Nik or my parents. Maybe even get to know him a little more.

As I pulled into the driveway an unfamiliar car was parked behind Damien’s truck. It was an older car, something early 90s. I wondered if maybe it was one of Damien’s band members. As I strode up the steps, the front door whooshed opened and a beautiful, dark haired girl strode quickly past me. Our shoulders brushed and she apologized under her breath before jogging to her car.

I watched her go before turning to see Damien sitting on the stairs leading to the second floor. My heart dropped in my chest. He looked broken and I immediately wondered if that was the elusive ex girlfriend who I’d just told Nik about.

“Damien?” I moved toward him, careful to not get too close. I needed to prepare myself for the possibility that he wouldn’t want me near. “You okay?”

He glanced up at me, a mixture of emotions flooding his eyes. “I don’t know.”

I nearly choked back bile. “Who was that?”

“Shit…that was…” He gulped. “That was Deidre, my sister.”

The world, which seemed to have spiraled out of control, came to a standstill. I grasped the banister and exhaled loudly, “Your sister.”

He merely bobbed his head in affirmation, not recognizing my obvious relief.

“Where was she going?”

“I told her she couldn’t stay here,” he replied and my mouth nearly dropped open. I couldn’t’ imagine ever kicking Jed out of my house, let alone tell him he couldn’t stay with me. It was unacceptable.

“What? Why?”

My tone had his eyes snapping up to meet mine. “We had a…disagreement a few years ago. We’re not close.”

“What happened?”

Damien ran his hand over his face and didn’t respond.

I didn’t let this discourage me. Placing my hands on my hips, I slanted him my sternest gaze. “Damien, you call your sister this instant and tell her she can stay here. She can use my room.”

He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“You can’t just kick her out. Unless she did something terrible,” I paused for a moment before asking, “Did she do something terrible? Like murdered-someone-terrible?”

“No, she just made her decision a long time ago. She picked her side and lost my respect when she did it.”

I lowered myself next to him. I wanted him to tell me what was going on and even though I knew there was a slim chance he’d actually open up I asked, “What side did she pick?”

“My dad’s.” He glanced over at me and at the questions in my eyes, he explained, “She’s my half sister. My dad had an affair on my mom before I was born. So we’re really close in age, like four months apart. I’m twenty-one and she’s twenty-two.” He sighed, as if suddenly weary. “She’s always craved my dad’s affection, so when she had to choose between me or him, she picked him.”

“Damien,” I said, putting my arm around his back. “How long ago was that?”

“Three years.”

“And now she’s here?”

“Yeah. I guess she needs a place to stay while she gets on her feet.”

“And you won’t help her because of a stupid decision she made years ago?”

He glanced over at me, the muscle in his jaw ticking. “It’s more than that, but yeah.”

“Damien, she’s obviously here because she knows she made a mistake. You can’t just ignore her. She’s your sister. Call her now, tell her to come over and she can sleep in my room.” I knew Damien would be reluctant to let Deidre sleep in his room. After all, he wasn’t even welcoming her into his house.

“And where will you sleep?” Damien asked.

“With you, of course,” I replied, only half joking. He didn’t seem to think it was funny. “No, I’m just kidding. I can stay on the couch downstairs.”

“The hell you will. If Deidre stays here, you’ll stay with me.”

Even though it was a terrible idea, I didn’t need to be convinced. “Fine. Fine, you win. Now call her and tell her to come back. I’m going to get ready for class.”

I stood up and left Damien to call his sister while I put on my makeup and did my hair. As I was packing up my school bag, Damien appeared at my door.

“Called her,” he said quietly.

“Good,” I said with a reassuring smile. “You did the right thing.”

He shrugged like he wasn’t sure. “She’ll be here soon.”

“Good.”

He glanced down at his shoes and suddenly looked incredibly nervous. “Will you come home after class and be here with me?”

Oh my God. My heart swelled and I nearly fell in love with him right then. It felt so good to be needed by him for something other than sex. Maggie and our usual lunch date could wait. “Of course. I’ll come back right after class.”

“Thanks. I just don’t know what to do with her…what to say.”

“I’m sure she feels the same way.”

Damien glanced down at his phone. “You should probably get going.”