Secret Love (Love Stings Series Book 2) (5 page)

Once I was buried deep inside her, it was like everything made sense, and fuck me, I liked it—I liked her. Tonight I’m going to tell her that last night was a mistake and it can’t ever happen again. It’s going to fucking blow, but for her safety it needs to happen. I can’t tell her who I really am.

I pull down the alley of my parents’ home and park my bike in their garage. With my helmet in my hand, I make my way toward the back door.

My mom opens it and greets me with a bright smile. “David, you’re here!” She wraps her arms around me, hugging me close.

“Hey, Mom. You look good.”

Two years ago, she had breast cancer and we almost lost her. Luckily, she’s in remission. Her hair is still really short and is now completely gray, but she looks healthy. She’s tiny and petite and looks a lot younger than my dad.

“Thank you, honey. Your dad is outside grilling the burgers, and Victoria’s not going to be able to come because she’s studying for finals.”

She grabs me a beer, and I head out to my dad. “Hey, Dad, how’s it going?”

“Hey, son. Happy birthday.”

We ate out on the deck, and it was hard to find stuff to talk about since I couldn’t talk about the case. Dad told me about fishing and golfing. Mom just hugs on me. After we finished eating our burgers, she brought out cherry pie, my favorite. My mom bought me a couple of new t-shirts and a new watch.

I didn’t stay too late because I was beat and I wanted to get my talk with Carrington over with so I could go home and crash.

The night is starting to cool off as I head toward her apartment. I’m hoping this goes well, but I should probably be prepared for it to go bad. I pull into the parking lot and back my bike into a space in the visitor’s section. With a deep breath, I make my way toward her apartment.

I’m almost to her door when I spot her. She’s on the little balcony outside of her living room with her arms wrapped around her knees. I stop, watching her for a minute, and it hits me she’s crying. Her shoulders are shaking, and her cries are almost silent.

I grab the bar and hoist myself over. “Carrington?” She startles and looks up at me, and that’s when I see blood streaks on the front of her dress. Her eyes are puffy and glassy. Tears keep leaking from her eyes. “Baby, what happened?”

I get down on my haunches in front of her. She just keeps shaking her head back and forth. She moves slightly, but I see it’s to grab a bottle of tequila. She holds it to her lips to take a healthy swallow. I reach out and grab the bottle from her and set it back down.

“Sweetheart, did someone hurt you?” She shakes her head. “Whose blood is that? Baby, you’re scaring me. Tell me what’s going on.”

She flies out of her chair and wraps her arms around my neck as sobs wrack her body. I wind my arms around her, hugging her tight.

“M-My c-cousin was a-attacked today.”

With her face in my neck, she tells me about her cousin Abby and how Abby was sexually assaulted and had attempted suicide a while ago. She tells me about how she went to Ben’s house today just after a man attacked Abby in her fiancé’s house.

“Is she okay?”

“Y-Yes. He broke her nose and slapped her around a little bit, but she’ll be okay. I’m just glad that asshole is behind bars and before they locked him up she kicked his ass.” She laughs a little against my neck, and damn, it causes my dick to twitch in my pants.

“Let’s get you inside.” I stand up and lead her inside, setting her on the sofa.

I grab a washcloth from her bathroom, get it wet, and bring it out with me. I sit down next to her and grab her face gently, turning it toward me. With gentle strokes, I wipe the makeup and tears from her face. She stares up at me with those big blue eyes of hers, and I just want to take the pain in them away. Carrington leans into my hand when I cup her cheek. She’s killing me here. I came here to tell her we couldn’t sleep together again, but dammit, I want to do whatever I can to take her pain away.

She must be able to read what I’m thinking, because she pushes me back and straddles my lap. Her lips tentatively move against mine until I grab her face and take over the kiss. Carrington’s lips are soft against mine. The taste of tequila is on her lips. My tongue strokes the seam of her mouth, and she opens to me and starts stroking her tongue against mine.

This girl is going to be my downfall if I can’t get control of myself.
Pull away
, I think to myself.
Get up and leave
, but I can’t do it. Instead I let my hands drift up her thighs as I remove her dress. I grab her ass cheeks under her underwear, holding her tighter to me as I grind my hard dick against her. Her moans vibrate against my mouth.

I keep one hand on her ass and bring the other around, reaching inside her tiny silk panties, finding her swollen and wet. “Fuck, baby,” I whisper against her lips as I start strumming her clit. Her moans drive me wild, and my dick is trying to bust through my jeans.

Carrington intertwines her fingers behind my neck while my fingers move swiftly over her clit until she whimpers and then cries out. I thrust two fingers inside of her, and a pleasured scream rips from her lips. Her sweet juices run down my finger, and her channel squeezes me.

I slow my movements and then stop when she leans against me and wraps her arms around me. As I kiss her temple, I pull my hand out of her panties and hold her stare as I suck one finger into my mouth, moaning when her taste explodes on my tongue. She’s undoing my pants as I reach for a condom. This is what I’ll do. I’ll fuck her out of my system.

She takes it from my fingers and slowly rolls the latex down my length. I reach between us and hold my cock up as she moves over it and then slowly slides down my length. God, she’s so fucking tight, and she has to work at getting me inside and buried deep, but when I get there she throws her head back with a long groan. I grab her hips and start rocking her back and forth. As I look down where we’re connected, my dick pulses inside of her. Her pussy is stretched, but she’s taking my entire dick like a champ.

I slide the straps of her dress down until they trap her arms at her sides. She isn’t wearing a bra, so I wrap my lips around one turgid tip and bite down with enough pressure to hurt, but only a little. She’s down for that. I can tell because she gets so wet. I suckle at her breast as she rides me and then switch sides, giving the other the same treatment.

Her cries are becoming more urgent, and she’s starting to ride me faster so I reach up and pull her mouth to mine, swallowing her whimpers and cries. I grab her hips and start slamming her down on me over and over until she throws her head back with the most beautiful orgasmic cry I’ve ever heard. I pull her down twice more before I explode and thank God I’m wearing a condom, because that performance would’ve gotten her pregnant for sure.

I collapse against the cushions, and she collapses on my chest. Her lips touch my neck ever so gently, and it makes my dick twitch inside her.

“Thank you,” she whispers so quietly I can’t be sure she actually said anything.

“For what?” I ask. My lips are pressed to her forehead.

She pushes up on me until she’s looking me in the eye. “For listening and letting me cry on you. For taking my mind off everything.” She looks down at her dress and then back up at me. “I’m going to go change. Are you sticking around?”

Carrington doesn’t wait for my answer. She just lifts up, whimpering a little when my softening cock slides out of her.

Her steps are slow as she disappears into her bedroom. I should take this as my chance to get out of here, but I can’t make myself get up and leave. She still seems a little emotional, which I can’t blame her. Thank God she showed up at her cousin’s fiancé’s place when she did, but then again she could’ve gotten really hurt too. Tomorrow I’ll see what I can find out and make sure that the man who attacked Abby stays behind bars.

A few minutes later, she comes out in knit shorts and a t-shirt. Her long hair is twisted up on top of her head. She looks young and fresh-faced with no makeup on, but no less beautiful.

“Are you hungry?” she asks me as she walks through the living room and into the kitchen.

“I’m okay, but I’d take something to drink if you got it.”

I sit at the breakfast bar and watch her move around her tiny kitchen. She opens the refrigerator, bends at the waist, and pulls out a bottle of beer. Carrington moves around the counter and stops between my legs. She holds my attention as she tips the bottle back, taking a healthy swallow.

She pulls it away from her mouth, wraps an arm around my neck, and kisses me. I’ve never met someone as forward as she is, but I like it. I grab her around the waist and pull her toward me so she’s flush against me. It’s a short kiss, but still it’s enough to turn me on again. She pulls back and hands me the beer. Carrington is unlike any girl or woman I’ve ever met.

Chapter Seven

Carrington

I pull into the driveway of my parents’ home and climb out of my car. It’s been three days since Abby was attacked. Ben’s been so great for my cousin. He hasn’t left her side since it happened. Natalie has been attached to Abby too. That poor little girl was there when it happened. I know Abby prevented Natalie from seeing much.

I took them some ice cream earlier and almost cried when I saw Abby’s face. It was still swollen, and her nose was very clearly broken. It was double its normal size. She still had a really bad headache, but the ER doctor said that it should lessen as the swelling went down.

When I step inside, I find my dad and brother sitting in the living room, watching baseball.

“Hey, guys.”

I bend down, kiss my dad’s cheek, and ruffle my brother’s hair. “Quit it,” he growls before trying to grab for me, but I dodge him and laugh as I make my way toward the kitchen. I find my mom standing in front of the stove, dressed in yoga pants and a form-fitting t-shirt. At forty-six, my mom is in the best shape. Between her dancing and her personal training, she’s lean and cut.

“Hey, Mom.” She wraps me in her arms. I return the hug and let her hold me tight.

“I saw Abby today,” I whisper.

“I went with your aunt Journey this morning to take Journey and Abby to breakfast. It took all I had not to cry when I saw her face. Journey’s upset because she feels like Abby doesn’t need her now that Abby’s got Ben looking after her. It’s not true, but Journey’s still really upset and emotional and understandably so. Ben is taking very good care of Abby, so she’s got nothing to worry about.” She pulls back and tucks my hair behind my ears. “You’re being safe, aren’t you? You know, keeping the deadbolt locked, leaving lights on?”

I’ve missed this closeness that my mom and I used to have, back before it became clear that I was always going to be competing with the memory of a ghost. My eyes burn, but I hold the tears back. “I’m careful, I promise.”

After that little emotional exchange, I help her finish making dinner and then set the table. We all sit around the table and listen to my brother talk about school and his excitement about going to training camp this summer. Normally it’d bother me that they’re all focused on Luke and how great he is, but for once I’m glad because I hate lying to them when they ask me about work.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out and glance at it. It’s a text from Damien.

I want to see you.

Since that’s all it says, I decide to stick it back in my pocket for now. No one notices. I get goose bumps just thinking about that man. He is so good looking, but not in the classical sense. He’s covered in tattoos up to his neck; he has those gauges in his ears. I’ve always been drawn to the typical bad boys, but Damien is so much more than just a bad boy. He’s dangerous, and I should keep my distance, but I can’t, at least not yet.

The thought of seeing him again does something to me. I’ve never seen a more beautiful cock in my entire life. Sure, I’m only twenty-one, but I’ve seen enough in-person or in movies to know that his is beautiful. It’s long, thick with the right amount of girth. Oh shit, my nipples are getting hard just thinking about it.

Sunday night, he slept over and that was all we did. After the rendezvous on the sofa, we watched TV for a little bit and then he came to bed with me. I’d never really been a fan of having a guy sleep with me, but when he pulled me against him, I nuzzled in close.

When I woke up, he was gone, but again he left a note.

“Care bear?” I look up from my plate, and my dad is staring at me expectantly.

“I’m sorry, what?”

“I just asked how work at the hospital’s going and if you’ve seen anything exciting.” My dad gives me a bright smile that makes my heart ache a little since again I have to lie.

“Oh, it’s going good. We see all sorts of stuff at night. Alcohol poisoning, fights and accidents are what we see for the most part. I’ve learned a lot since I’ve been there.”

My mom smiles at me. “That’s so great. We’re so proud of you and the work you’re doing.”

“Thanks.” After that, I shift the focus back to my brother. “So, Wukey, what are you going to do for your birthday?” He turns eighteen in a few weeks.

“Stop calling me Wukey, dork. I don’t know what I’m going to do yet. Are you going to buy me a present?” He gives me the same smile I’m sure he gives all those teenybopper girls to charm them, but I’m immune to my brother’s charms.

“Maybe, if I feel like it.” I reach over and pinch his arm.

“Ow, bitch,” he yelps. Then he pinches me. I slap at his arm until our dad stops us.

“All right, you two, stop. Luke, watch your language.”

I stick my tongue out at my brother, and he flips me off. After we finish eating, my brother and I clear the table and load the dishwasher. We work side by side, and I ask, “So, how’s school? Still getting straight A’s?”

“It’s good, easy, a piece of cake.” Of course it is. Again, my brother excels at everything.

Not only is my brother extremely athletic, but he’s also super smart. He’s graduating a semester early because he’s already met all of his requirements.

I know I sound jealous, and maybe I am, but I’ve had to work my ass off for every A or B I’ve ever gotten whereas Luke barely studies and he aces everything.

After we finish up, he grabs me and pulls me into a hug. He’s three years younger than me but towers over me. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, why?” I ask, pulling back to look up into his face that looks identical to our dad’s.

“Well, you know, with everything that happened to Abby. That’s the second time you’ve shown up after that asshole attacked her. I’m just glad they’ve finally caught that piece of shit,” Luke says.

“I’m good. Just glad, like you, but also glad that she’s got someone like Ben who’ll make sure she’s taken care of.” I couldn’t have picked a better person for Abby to fall in love with.

“Joe and Parker really like their sister’s guy, and Ben’s little girl is adorable,” Luke says.

I give him a hug and tell him I’ll invite him over one night to celebrate his birthday.

I hug and kiss my dad goodbye, and when I go to say bye to my mom she tells me that she’s walking me out. Her arm is looped through mine as we make our way down the walkway toward my car.

“Honey, I was thinking that maybe one day next week, you and I could do a spa day. What do you think?”

“That’d be great. Whenever you want.” I’m excited that she wants to do a mom and daughter day.

I climb into my car and wave to her before backing out of the driveway. When I hit the end of the street, I pull over, pull out my cellphone, and text Damien back.

Your place or mine?

I sit in my car and wait for him to answer me, which happens a few minutes later.

He tells me to come to his place and texts me his address. I look at myself in the rearview mirror and make sure that I look fine. My hair is in a braid that rests over my shoulder, and I’m wearing a pink zipped-up hoodie over a white tank top and black short shorts. I should run home and change, but I’m not too worried about it because I’m sure Damien couldn’t care less about what I’m wearing.

Damien lives just outside of Saint Helena Island. I pull into the parking lot of his complex and park in visitor parking. The lawn is green and lush, there aren’t a lot of trees, but colorful flowers make up a lot of the landscaping. He appears on the walkway and gives me a smile that makes me weak in the knees.

I run toward him and jump into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist. “Hi,” I say lamely. I feel him begin to move as we make our way to his apartment.

“What did you do today?” he asks before placing his lips on my neck.

“Went to see Abby today and then had dinner at my parents’ house.”

He opens a door, and we step inside his apartment. He sets me down, and I look around.

“How’s your cousin doing?” I turn to look up at him.

“She’s okay. Her face is so swollen still, but Ben’s taking good care of her.”

I look around his apartment, and all I can say is that it’s decorated total bachelor style. The living room has a fireplace with a flat screen adorning the wall above it. He has an overstuffed loveseat against the wall with a worn-looking coffee table and two matching end tables next to it. I see an Xbox on the floor by the fireplace and a stack of games.

Damien wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me back until I’m flush against him.

“That’s good that she’s got someone watching her back. You said he’s with the sheriff’s department, right?”

“Yeah, so I think that gives all of us peace of mind. Show me the rest of your place?” I turn in his arms and look up into his eyes. I can’t decide if they’re hazel or green.

He leads me into a bright kitchen that’s pretty bare but surprisingly clean. We move down the hall, and he shows me the bathroom, which has a big counter with double sinks. The shower is a stand up with all glass and duel showerheads. The tub is so deep that you’d feel like you were sinking into it.

We go to the door at the end of the hall, and I know it’s his bedroom. A huge bed against the wall dominates the space. There’s a nightstand and lamp next to it and then a dresser on the other side of the room. I like all of the natural light that comes in from the large windows. The room smells like him, fresh and woodsy.

“Do you want a drink? I think all I have is beer and water.” He grabs my hand to pull me out of his room.

“I’ll take a beer.” I follow him into the kitchen, and he pulls a couple of bottles out. He opens and hands me one. “Thanks.” I let the cold beer slide down my throat.

“Have you been studying for your boards?”

I hadn’t planned on telling Damien about not passing my test and why I started working at The Thirsty Beaver, but while we were lying in my bed it just sort of came out.

“Yeah, I studied all day yesterday. The test is a little over a month away, and I’m already freaking out. I can take it as many times as I need to, but I don’t know if I can keep putting myself through the stress again and again.” I take another swig of my beer.

“You said that your grades were good in school. It was just your boards that you didn’t pass, right?”

“Right. I don’t know, it’s just…I know all of the information, but my mind goes blank.” It’s testing anxiety, I know it, but I don’t know how to get past it.

He comes around to me. “Let me help you. Give me some time to think about it, but I would love to see you out of The Beaver.”

“Okay, sure. Thanks.” I know he hates me dancing. He’s never come right out and said it, but I know he does.

We go outside to the deck, and instead of sitting in my own chair Damien pulls me down onto his lap. “We need to keep this just between us when we’re at the club.”

“I figured as much. I know you hate me dancing, but are you going to be able to handle it when I’m on stage?” I turn sideways in his lap and look at him. His jaw is clenched.

Reaching up, I stroke his chin with my fingers while I wait for him to answer. “I can handle it. I’m just not going to like it.”

“Well, just pretend that we’re the only two people in the club and that I’m dancing for you. Hell, most of the time I’m imagining I’m dancing for you any way.”

I lean in and kiss his lips. The kiss is slow, and it makes me all tingly. When I pull back, he reaches out and strokes my bottom lip with his thumb.

We finish our beers and then head inside to watch a movie. In the dark, with the movie playing, my eyes begin to feel heavy. I rest my head in his lap, and Damien strokes my hair until I fall asleep.