One Simple Step (Journey Series) (13 page)

She whimpered when my mouth landed on her nipple, and I rolled my tongue around before switching to the next and giving it the same treatment. Her hands were knotted in my hair as I slid up her body and touched my forehead against hers. “This is going to be fast and hard, Al. We do need to get back to work and all.” A smile parted her lips as she looked back up at me, already breathless from my mouth on her body.

I stayed looking down at her as she cinched her legs around my waist, and I pushed in with one thrust, my eyes shutting briefly as I slid all the way in, her warmth engulfing me.

My hands moved to grip her hips as our motions sped up, and our bodies moved in a perfect rhythm together. We both laughed when a stack of files spilled to the floor, but the laughter was soon gone as we stared straight into each other’s eyes, hers turning glassy as she moaned out my name and we both exploded together.

We lay there as I cradled her body underneath mine, both of us catching our breath. I slipped out slowly, instantly missing the feeling of her, and helped her up, placing a kiss on her bare shoulder before she leaned down to redress.

“I’ll meet you out front in a bit,” I said as she walked to the door, and blew me a kiss before closing it behind her.

I sat down at my desk, still trying to catch my breath after getting off the roller coaster I had just been on. I checked the camera to see that we were still in the clear. I didn’t plan on making something like this a habit, but I had just needed her right then. I couldn’t get enough.

I flipped off the lights to my office before going out to the front and meeting up with Ally who was on the phone, looking like she was setting up a new reservation. I smiled as she tapped away on the computer and managed to contain a giggle when I pushed her hair aside, feathering kisses up and down her neck.

“You are an ass,” she said after hanging up the phone. “And very unprofessional.”

I raised my eyebrows as I grabbed her waist, and pushed her against the counter. “Really? Cause you weren’t complaining a minute ago.”

“Whatever. Full of yourself much?”

“Well...” I teased with a smirk as she tapped me in the chest, and I let go of her so she could move to the computer and create a new account for the client who had just called in.

“Hey, Leah and everyone really want to meet you. Since we both have tomorrow night off, I was thinking we could all get together. Maybe Danny and the guys could come, too.”

I sucked in a breath, and her smile sank as I picked up one of her hands and kissed it. “I wish I could, Al, but I have something going on. Do you think we could do it another time?”

“Um...” She frowned at me, and I hated that I had wiped that beautiful smile off of her face, but I had to get this over with. “Well, they’re all leaving, so...I guess maybe next time, whenever that will be.”

“Sorry, Ally. I’ll make it up to you somehow, I promise.” And I would, somehow. Even if I had to fly myself out to Indiana just so I could meet all of her family and friends, because that’s how much she meant to me.

For now, I needed to deal with my past and get all of that shit done and over with for good.

Chapter 14

Ally

“I wish Nick could’ve made it, he really wanted to meet you guys.” I picked up my second margarita of the night, depressed that Nick wasn’t here, and that everyone would be leaving tomorrow. I had a feeling it was going to be a very margarita filled night with the mood that I was in right now.

“It’s okay.” Leah nudged me with her shoulder and pushed her phone in front of me. “Here, this will definitely cheer you up. I know it made my day already.”

A picture of Caleb and Ava popped up, and I couldn’t help but smile. Caleb, of course, was a cutie, looking like a little grown man, and Ava was just gorgeous. “You and Chase sure do make a pretty cute kid.”

“Of course we do,” Chase chimed in from where he was sitting across the table next to Nick’s best friend, Danny. Even though Nick couldn’t make it, I still invited Danny, Grant, and Riley. They had grown to be my friends, too, and accepted the invitation in a heartbeat.

Grant seemed to have a thing for Remy, but it had never been returned, and I think he was a little bit jealous over the chemistry you could practically feel between Ben and Remy. They seemed to be in their own little world at the opposite end of the table, at the moment.

“And she’s even wearing her Auntie Al’s creation. I need some more of those, by the way.” She pointed at the headband I had given to her when Ava was first born. Leah had never really been into fashion or girly things, but I insisted that Ava needed to have a bow or headband on daily. It was a must.

“I get asked about them all the time. You really should look into selling them online or something. You could have your own little shop, and sell a ton of them.”

“Really? You think so?”

“Definitely, and I’ll be your number one customer. Ava can be your model. I have it all planned out. You’re welcome.”

This time it was me rolling my eyes at my best friend, even though it was actually a really good idea. Why hadn’t I thought of it myself?

I had always really been into fashion, even as a small child. My mom is always telling people how, since I was little, I’ve always taken more time than anyone in the family to get ready because I always had to have the perfect outfit, matching accessories and shoes, and when I was old enough, makeup and hair to complete it.

When I first found out that Leah was pregnant with a girl, I went a little nuts at the craft store and made about a million bows and headbands. Leah looked at me like I was insane when she opened my very large present at her baby shower, but I knew I would easily sway her into the world of girly-land. Now that Leah put the thought into my head, though, I was seriously considering the idea.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when our waitress came over to see if we wanted a refill on our drinks, for which I was happily obliged, and we ordered a few appetizers for the table as Leah rolled her eyes. “I haven’t seen this Ally in a while. Think maybe you should slow down?”

“Oh, come on, Mom. I deserve to have a little bit of fun, and it’s not every day that you’re here. By the way, do you already have a trip planned to come back? Maybe this time you could bring the kids.”

“I wish, but I have to go back to reality, unlike some people. When are you coming back to Indiana is the real question? And when are you going to start taking care of...”

She trailed off; probably because of the death stare I was giving her, and pursed her lips at me. “I’m sorry to be a bitch, Al, but you can’t keep avoiding the topic. I know it’s hard to deal with, but I can also tell you want to move on with your life. You need a clean break, but I think Teddy’s going to make it hard for you, especially—” She was interrupted by Chase who planted a hand over her mouth and narrowed his eyes at her, giving a sharp shake of his head.

He leaned in to whisper something into her ear, and I saw her shift in her seat uncomfortably, before he kissed her on her cheek and turned back to Danny to continue their music discussion. I eyed her questioningly, and was just about to yank her into the bathroom to get all the details on what in the hell
that
was all about, when I spotted a tall frame that I had become awfully familiar with lately.

He wore a black hat pulled on backwards, a tight black shirt that hugged his broad chest and a pair of loose jeans that hung low on his hips but somehow managed to stay on. He looked yummy, and my stomach was jumping at the sight of him. I was a little disappointed that he said he had plans when I wanted him to come out with us tonight, but he didn’t share what those plans were, and I hadn’t pushed. Things were new with us, and I didn’t really think it was my place. Plus, I hated those nagging girls who thought they needed to know who their man was with, where and when.

I raised my hand to call him over, but dropped it quickly back down to my side, my heart sinking right along with it when I saw his hand land on the small of the back of a girl I didn’t recognize. She was exotic looking, with jet black hair that flowed to the middle of her back, and was dressed head to toe in black. In one word, she was
gorgeous,
and in one word, I was
jealous.
They seemed very comfortable together as they were seated at a table on the other side of the restaurant and bar we had picked for the night. Nick glanced up just as he was handed a menu, and our eyes connected. I tried to manage a smile but he quickly looked away without even acknowledging me, and my heart continued its downward descent.

“Ah, shit. Really?” I turned to see Danny staring in the same direction, which in turn made ev
eryone
snap their heads. Leah leaned over and whispered in my ear, “Who are we all staring at?”

I couldn’t seem to find any words, and really, I didn’t want to tell her, so Danny went ahead and did it for me. “That right there is our dumbass friend, Nick. And that bitch with him is, Kara, his ex.”

I sucked in a breath when I heard the name, and Danny gave me an apologetic look. “Sorry, Al, I had no clue he was gonna be here or with
her
. I know she’s been trying to meet up with him. He hasn’t said anything to you?”

I shook my head, and tried to look everywhere but at their table, which seemed impossible. They appeared to be pretty deep in conversation, and it was obvious Nick avoided looking our way.

“Dude, I thought he was done with that chick,” Grant called from the end of the table. “Especially when he hooked up with you, Ally. I mean Kara’s not horrible to look at, but she is the biggest bitch you’ll ever meet. Nick lucked out when he met you. What’s that jackass’s problem?”

I gave a shaky smile to Grant before I heard the chair next to me being slid out, and felt one of Ben’s arms slide around my shoulder. “Want me to go beat his ass, Al? I haven’t had to do that in a while for ya, but I really don’t have a problem.”

I heard all of the guys quickly chime in that they would help, and I couldn’t contain the little bubble of laughter that escaped my lips. “Thanks for the offer, guys, but I think I’m good. Maybe they have some unfinished busy, but I’m not going to let it ruin my night.”

But I was definitely going to have to switch to something a little harder, and I did just that when the waitress came back with our food.

“Ally, I think you really need to go over there. Kara looks like she’s in bitch mode, and of course, Nick’s sitting there taking it. I’d do it, but I’m not gonna lie, I’m a little scared of her and I think I’d end up in jail if I slapped a chick.” Danny set down his beer, and I allowed my eyes to dart over to their table.

Nick’s face was unusually pale and his mouth was slightly ajar. I watched the back of Kara’s head bob back and forth like she was giving him a whole lot of attitude, and she wasn’t giving Nick a chance whatsoever to speak. Not that he looked like he could anyway, he looked like he was in shock or something.

I stood up quickly, my legs wobbling as I did so, and all of the alcohol I consumed rushed to my head. “What are you doing?” Leah hissed. Her hand landed on my elbow but I quickly shrugged it off as I adjusted my dress and teetered on my heels.

“Liquid courage,” I said out of the side of my mouth, before heading in the direction of Nick’s table and not looking back. I had no clue what I was going to say, and I probably wouldn’t even be approaching them if I hadn’t had some drinks in me. But Nick looked like he needed saving. He had already saved me, so if I could help him out, I would.

I stepped up to their table, and Nick turned, giving me a weak smile as Kara continued talking. Finally, she stopped and looked up, narrowing a set of dark eyes at me and pursing her lips. “Can I help you?” she asked in a high-pitched voice, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Oh yeah, Danny was totally right. How was a guy like Nick with her for so long?

Now that I was here, I had no clue what to say. “Hi, I, um…just wanted to introduce myself.” I wobbled slightly, and planted a hand on their table to keep myself upright.

Nick gave me a worried look and his hand landed on top of mine, giving me just an inkling that I hadn’t lost him after only such a short amount of time. Kara eyed our hands, and shot me a look of disgust as I held my free hand out to her. “I’m Ally, Nick’s girlfriend. And you are?”

So yeah, we hadn’t really put a label on things and maybe I was trying to stake my claim on him, but I really didn’t care.

She ignored my hand and glared at Nick. “Well, Nick do you think you could get your
girlfriend
to give us a little bit of alone time, so we can finish our discussion?” She picked up her water and took a long drink before slamming it back down on the table with a huff.

“Quit being a bitch, Kara.” Her eyebrows shot up at Nick and her mouth gaped open as he stood up, and put one arm around my waist. I gave her a triumphant smile as he led me away, but it quickly dropped when he called back to her over his shoulder, “I’ll be back in a minute, Kara.”

He stopped me before we were back to the table, steadying me on my feet as he grabbed my waist, and looked down at me, his lips set it a tight line. “Ally…I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I was meeting her, but—”

“But you didn’t expect us to be here.” I finished for him. “So you probably weren’t going to tell me in the first place.” I hated that I sounded whiny, but I think he should have told me. He probably would want to know if I was out with my ex, and I would have told him. I didn’t have anything to hide.

“Ally, it’s not like that. I just—” I stopped him with my hand, and tried to plaster on a smile, but I knew it wasn’t much of one.

“I don’t need an explanation, Nick. Go finish doing…whatever you were doing.” I walked back to the table and collapsed into my chair, not even bothering to watch him. I knew exactly where he was, though I kind of wished he would choose me over her, but he hadn’t. Was I really that bad that I would always be second choice? Jeez, I felt like a whiny fourth grader who got picked last for a game of kickball. Where in the hell had my self-confidence gone?