Mercy: Second Chance Military Romance (25 page)

“I know, but I only did it to amuse you.”

“Well, I wasn’t amused.”

“Aroused, then?”

Damn. Can he read my mind?

“Not all dicks arouse me.”

I crawled back into bed, accidentally sitting on the vibrator. It turned on, buzzing loudly.

“What’s that?” he asked.

“Um, nothing, it’s just. Hold on.”

I dropped the phone on the mattress and fumbled to turn off the vibrator. When it finally, died, I thought briefly about just hanging up on him and turning my phone off. Instead, I picked it up.

“Are you still there?” I asked, half-hoping he had hung up.

“I’m still here,” he said in a low, throaty voice. “What are you wearing right now?”

He didn’t waste any time, did he? We both knew where it was going, but he took lead.

“Nothing,” I whispered back. “My eyes are closed. I’m completely naked and under the covers.”

“If I were there with you, I would turn that back on and run it over your nipples, teasing them.”

“Mmmhmm,” I moaned.

My fingers moved between my legs as if they had minds of their own.

“Go on.”

“I’m running it lower, across your stomach. It’s still buzzing and vibrating so fast and furious.”

“Uh-huh.”

I rubbed faster, already so wet.

“When I run it across your pussy, I look up at your face.”

“Kiss me,” I hissed.

“I’m kissing you now, and rubbing you with my fingers. You’re so wet. I slip my middle finger in your tight, wet pussy.”

“Yes, James…”

The sound of his name on my lips as I heard his sexy voice in my ear made me rub harder.

“I wouldn’t be able to stand-by and watch for long.”

“What would you do to me?”

I’d let you do anything!

“I’d crawl between your legs and look into your beautiful green eyes…”

“They’re hazel,” I interrupted, breathing heavily. “But go on.”

He chuckled then continued.

“I’d put my big, curved dick inside you. Each time I thrust, it hits your g-spot perfectly.”

Is he touching himself now? That cock. I want it inside me.

“You like that?” he asked then moaned.

“Yesss…”

Dirty words were replaced with moans and groans for a minute or so.

“Say my name,” I begged.

“Oh, Haley…”

“Yes…”

“I’m fucking you so hard.”

“Fuck me, James.”

He grunted. The primal sound pushed me over the edge.

“Yes, yes, yes…”

I stifled my cries, almost forgetting Tabby in the next room.

“So,” he said, trying to catch his breath. “That’s safe-sex, huh?”

I laughed, overwhelmed with joy, confusion, fear and other emotions without names.

“Oh my, I can’t believe we…”

“Shhh,” he said, cutting me off. “How do you feel about pizza on campus tomorrow night?”

“At Papa Jack’s? You’re not ashamed of taking me there with all your friends?”

“I wouldn’t ask if I were ashamed of you in any way. Don’t you get it? You’re so damn hot, and smart.”

“Thanks,” I said. “I’ve just heard things about you.”

Why do I keep laying everything on the line with him?

“Yeah, I have a reputation, but I’m always safe. I work hard and play even harder.”

“This was nice, but I should go. I’d love to have pizza with you tomorrow.”

“I’ll send you a text in the morning.”

“Do that,” I said. “And let’s keep this…”

“…a secret.”

Did he just finish my sentence?

“Goodnight, James.”

“Night, Haley.”

I smiled.

SIX

Haley

The next night, he picked me up in his flashy Camaro that fit his attitude so well. On the way to Papa Jack’s on campus, we made small talk, neither of us mentioning what had happened on the phone the night before.

In the parking lot, he took my hand in his and proudly led me down the main drag in middle of campus. All the rich students, jocks and superstars of one sort or another hung out there constantly. People like me – a boring sports med student – did not belong.

“Don’t look so nervous,” he said, squeezing my hand. “We’re on a date.”

“I didn’t agree to a date, did I?” I teased.

He laughed.

“You did, and I’m holding you to it. A good slice of pizza and some fun with friends will be good for both of us.”

“I’m surprised you eat any pizza at all.”

“Like last night, I eat what I want and pay for it later in the gym.”

As I walked next to the fit, lithe man, I couldn’t find argument with his system.

“Here we go,” he said, opening the door for me.

I let go of his hand and walked inside, immediately feeling sick as seemingly everyone turned to stare at me. At any moment, I expected them to point, laugh, or at least yell for me to get out.

“You okay?” he asked as he stood beside me.

“Yeah, I don’t do well in crowds.”

“Noted,” he said. “You want to leave?”

“No, we’re already here. I’ll be fine.”

Why is this guy even with me?

“Come on, Curtis is over there.”

I followed him through the crowded establishment, stopping at a booth on the other side. Curtis looked up and smiled, his black hair cropped short.

“What’s up, James?”

“Gonna grab a slice and hang a bit. You know Haley, right?”

Curtis turned to me and nodded.

“Yeah, I do. You don’t come here often, do you?”

“No, too busy working and studying. How’s that knee, by the way?”

His face grew pale.

“Fine,” he said. “I’ll talk to you guys later.”

“Yeah, see ya, fellas,” James said then turned.

After we had walked a few feet to another booth, he whispered into my ear, “You have to tell me that story about Curtis.”

“I can’t. Patient and doctor confidentiality and all that.”

“You’re not a doctor, are you?”

“No, but I plan on being a Nurse Practitioner, which is practically the same thing.”

He sat down. I took a seat on the bench across from him.

“You have a lot of years of school left then, huh?” he asked.

“Too many. I’m going to be in debt for years.”

“Unless you find a rich husband.”

I wasn’t sure how to answer him. Luckily, a waitress walked up, leaning her weight all on one leg, her hip sticking out.

“What can I get you two?” she asked, a pen in her hand poised above an order pad.

“Two slices of the Thin Max Style and a pitcher of water,” James said then turned to me. “Did you want something else?”

I shook my head, loving that he took charge.

“That’s great.”

“Be right back,” the woman said.

“Thanks, Janice.”

After she walked away, I asked, “You know her?”

“Not well, but I’m in here enough. It’s the place to be social if you don’t drink alcohol.”

“You don’t ever drink?”

“Not during season. Sometimes in the summer. I don’t get all the fuss. It can be nice, but it always destroys your body for days afterward.”

“Yeah, but I enjoy a glass of red wine once in a while. It’s healthy.”

“Hell, they’re even saying coffee and chocolate are healthy these days.”

“You mean they’re not?” I asked with exaggerated shock.

He laughed.

“You’re funny.”

“There you go with the compliments again. You trying to…”

I stopped talking mid-sentence, not wanting to bring up anything sexual after the night before.

“We can talk about that later,” he said coolly.

Does he ever get upset?

The waitress returned with our slices on two paper plates, a pitcher of water with ice, and two glasses. After she set them down, she rushed to the next table, looking frazzled.

“I do love their pizza here,” I said.

“Right? It’s the sauce.”

“Totally the sauce.”

I picked up a slice then set it back down.

“Hot, hot, hot…” I said, waving my hand.

“Here…”

He picked up the pitcher and poured me a glass of water and ice.

“Wrap your hand around that,” he said.

I giggled.

“You tell that to all the women, right?”

He cracked a smile.

“Just do it.”

I did, my hand feeling better.

“I’m a nurse. I do know cold helps with burns.”

He poured himself a glass of water.

“Take it back, bitch!” someone yelled across the restaurant.

I spun my head around. My heart sank as I saw one of the guys who had accosted me the night before. He was holding a plate toward Janice. She glanced around while frowning.

To my surprise, James got to his feet and walked over to the commotion. I stood and followed, standing five or ten feet away from him. Derek, the asshole, noticed me and grinned.

“Here’s another worthless bitch. Did someone blog a dog whistle or something?” He turned to the waitress. “Take this shit back.”

“Just throw it away. I’ll bring you another slice.”

Derek threw the plate and pizza at her. It landed on her chest then slid down.

“What the fuck is your problem?” James asked, stepping closer to their table.

Two other guys, also wearing polo-shirts, sat across from Derek. James stared at them all one by one as if daring any of them to make a move. I felt scared and excited at the same time even though he wasn’t standing up for me.

“Let’s go, James,” I said, grabbing his arm. “You don’t need this shit.”

“Yeah, Jamie Boy. Listen to your bitch.”

In one fluid motion, James grabbed the picture of beer in the center of their table and threw it on Derek, soaking him. He stood up, pulling his shirt out.

“What the hell, man?”

“Oops,” James said. “Accident. Sorry.”

“Fuck you it was an accident.”

James glanced to the left then right.

“You guys saw that, right? I tripped over his pizza slice on the floor and almost killed myself on their table.”

Derek scowled, his eyebrows pointed down toward his nose and his brow furrowed deeply.

“You’re going to pay for this,” he said then stormed off toward the door.

His buddies got out, making sure to stay out of James’ way as they scurried after their preppy friend.

“You okay?” James asked as he turned around.

I nodded, putting my hand on his back. It felt so tight.

“Fucking assholes,” he muttered.

We made it back to our table and finished eating. The rest of the patrons acted as if nothing had happened. By the end of the snack, we were laughing and joking together again.

* * *

Back at the apartment, I invited him in, justifying it by telling myself I didn’t want to deal with Tabby and all her problems. If I brought James in, she would retreat to her bedroom for the night. At least I hoped so as I unlocked the front door.

“Excuse the mess,” I said as I walked inside.

Tabby looked up from the couch with a smile on her face. It faded as James stepped in behind me.

“Hey, Tabby. This is James.” I turned to him. “James, this is Tabby, my roommate.”

“I’ve seen you on campus, I think,” he said in a friendly tone.

“I doubt it,” she snapped.

As she stood and fled to her bedroom in back of the house, I didn’t even attempt to hide my smile. James shut the door then followed me into the living room.

“Was it something I said?” he asked.

I shook my head.

“She gets jealous of me.”

“Oh, do you swing both ways?”

“No!” I said a bit too loudly. “I’ve got nothing against that, but I like men.”

He smiled.

“Good to hear.”

“I’m still not sure why you’re so interested in me.” I pointed to the couch. “Have a seat.”

We sat down next to each other.

“I think it’s the way we met the first time,” he said. “You’re not digging my company?”

“No, no. I had fun. I mean, I’m having fun.”