Somewhere in Between (Madison Square #1) (17 page)

I reached for my bag to get the samples and my laser measuring tape. He took my arm and set my bag down by the couch as he led me toward the kitchen. “We can do that later. Dinner is almost done.”

I glanced back at my bag with a pout but let him pull me toward the kitchen. I sat down at the breakfast bar. He poured me a glass of wine from a fancy decanter and set it down in front of me. “Stir fry sound good?”

“Sure, I’m not picky.” I couldn’t stop looking around, thinking of what I could do with a space like this.

Peter was telling me some story about one of their new writers, but I wasn’t really listening. I was too busy staring at the walls, trying to figure out what paint color would best complement the exposed brick.

He set a plate in front of me and took a seat on the stool next to me. I took a bite. “Wow, this is amazing.”

“You seem surprised,” he said, taking a sip of wine.

“Maybe a little,” I teased. “Where did you learn to cook?”

“My sister is a chef. She taught me a thing or two over the years.”

“Wow. Well, tell her thank you. This is really good.” I stuffed another forkful into my mouth.

Peter chuckled. “I’ll do that.”

When we finished, I took our plates to the sink to clean up. I turned on the water to start rinsing the dishes when I felt his arm snake around my waist. Peter pressed a kiss to the side of my neck, pulling me back against him.

“Leave them. I’ll take care of that later.”

He kissed a trail down to my shoulder. I tilted my head to the side and leaned into him as he pulled my hair to the side for better access to my neck. It had been a long time since a strong man held me.

I closed my eyes, moaning as he nibbled on my ear. He turned me in his arms and pressed my back to the sink as he brushed his lips softly against mine.

I let myself go and gave in, kissing him back. His lips felt good against mine, but there was no spark, no fireworks. It was just nice. It felt like when you get a Christmas card from a neighbor and you think it’s nice that they included you even though you weren’t going to send one to them.

My mind immediately went to Drew. I remembered how his kiss consumed me. The more I thought about Drew, the more turned on I got. My lips parted and I deepened the kiss, running my hands up the side of his neck and into his hair. He groaned as his hands ran down my sides. He gripped my ass, lifting me easily as I wrapped my legs around his waist.

With my eyes closed, all I saw was Drew. I thought about the way his hands felt on my body, how he tasted like honey.

Peter started to walk. I was so caught up that I didn’t realize we were moving until my back hit the bed. I felt the weight of his body pressing me into the mattress. His hands were everywhere and it felt amazing, but to me it wasn’t Peter’s fingers trailing down my chest; it was Drew.

I couldn’t get Drew out of my head. I imagined it was Drew undoing the buttons on my shirt and kissing his way down my chest and stomach, his lips soft against mine as he pulled down the cup of my bra, freeing my breasts.

He lightly pinched and played with my nipple, sending a shot of electricity through my body that settled between my legs. I wanted this so badly.

He kissed and licked a trail across my chin, nibbling down my neck and finally pulling my nipple into his hot mouth. He tugged gently with his teeth, flicking his tongue over the sensitive skin of my breast. I moaned, thrusting my fingers into his hair to keep him there. He slipped his fingers into the waist band of my jeans. Oh, I wanted this. I’ve wanted this for so long.

“I love the way you taste. So sweet,” Peter said as he kissed his way to the other side of my chest. My eyes flew open. Peter’s voice knocked me out of the little fantasy I created. Oh my God! I was fooling around with Peter, pretending he was Drew. That couldn’t be healthy.

I took a deep breath as Peter’s fingers crept lower, seeking the sweet spot between my legs. No way. I couldn’t do this.

“Ah, Peter!” I said breathlessly, pushing on his shoulders. He misinterpreted and began to kiss and lick his way down my stomach.

“No, Peter, stop!” I tried to wiggle out from under him.

“You sure? I was hoping you would be dessert.”

He leaned in and kissed my lips. Eww, that just creeped me out. I wasn’t going to have sex with Peter when all I could think about was Drew. I was fantasizing about another man while he kissed me, while he touched me. I shook my head, put a hand to his chest, and pushed him gently away. It wasn’t fair to Peter. He may have only wanted a hook up, but I couldn’t do it. I felt dirty.

“No, I just can’t.” I started moving away from him. “I’m sorry.”

He sat up at the end of the bed and wiped a hand across his face. He was quiet, but after a moment he laughed softly, humorlessly. He looked angry. “Should’ve figured. You always were just a tease,” he muttered as he stood up.

“Excuse me?” I was convinced I heard him incorrectly. No way did a grown man just call me a tease.

“Nothing.” He headed to the kitchen. “Forget it.” He waved a hand, dismissing me.

“Fuck this.” I stood up and buttoned my shirt. I went to the couch, grabbed my bag, and hit the call button for the elevator.

He stepped in front of me, blocking my exit. “Come on, baby, don’t go. I was kidding.” He reached out and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. “Don’t go.”

He leaned in for a kiss and I reached out and grabbed a handful of his crotch, squeezing as hard as I could. His eyes widened and he doubled over, but I held tight. I leaned down and whispered, “Get out of my way before you have nothing left for me to tease.”

I let him go and he stumbled to the side as the elevator doors opened. I stepped in, stabbing at the button to take me to the lobby.

As the doors closed, he yelled, “You crazy bitch!” I smiled. He had no idea.

By the time I reached the sidewalk, everything that happened hit me like a ton of bricks. Not only did this whole situation suck because Peter turned out to be monster douchebag, but it also meant that Drew had been right about him.

Sure, I always knew Peter was playing a game that, in his mind, ended with me naked, but I could never have predicted that he would be that much of an asshole. I realized that I should have just trusted Drew when he said the guy was shit. I would never have been in that situation if I wasn’t so damn pig headed.

If I was being honest with myself, I wasn’t upset that things didn’t work out with Peter. Don’t get me wrong, I was plenty pissed about what happened, but I was never really interested in being with Peter. There was only one man I wanted, and now there was really only one thing left for me to do. Time to follow Madeline’s advice. I had to talk to Drew.

***

I had rehearsed everything I was going to say a hundred times in my head by the time I reached his building. I had a plan. I was going to apologize to Drew. I was going to make everything right between us, then tell him how I felt.

His car was parked at the curb, so I knew he was there. I took a deep breath and headed up to his apartment.

While standing in front of his door, my determination turned into complete and utter terror. I closed my eyes, giving myself a little pep talk to steel my nerves, then knocked. After a few moments, there was no answer, so I tried the knob and it turned easily in my hand. I stuck my head in through a crack in the door.

The lights were all out except for the one just above the stove in the kitchen. Maybe he was asleep. I stepped in, closing the door behind me and headed down the hall to his bedroom. I heard what sounded like a sheet rustling. He was definitely in bed, but alone?
Oh God! Please let him be alone.
My curiosity got the best of me. I quietly stepped to the door and pushed it open.

I caught sight of the bed and the bare back of a woman with bleach blonde hair. She moaned as she rocked and arched her back. I tried to back out of the room before anyone saw me, but the floor board creaked.

The girl turned, and I froze. This had to be a fucking joke. Gwen! I locked eyes with her and she smiled, the bitch fucking smiled, as Drew looked around her. His eyes went wide, and I turned to run, smacking my shoulder hard into the door. So much for exiting with my dignity.

“Alex!” Drew called as I ran for the exit, holding my injured arm and trying desperately to erase that image from my mind.

“Alex, wait!” He sounded frantic, but I couldn’t wait, not after that. He was having sex with Gwen. Fucking
Gwen,
the bane of my existence, someone whose entire goal in life was to ruin mine, and he was fucking her!

Tears streamed down my face as I ran out of the apartment, not caring if I closed the door behind me. I ran all the way down the stairs and out the front door. I kept running until I reached the square and stopped to catch my breath, which, with all the sobbing, was pretty hard.

He wasn’t coming after me, so I took a seat on a bench and tried to calm myself down. The tears kept coming. I put my head in my hands. How could he? Why her? He could have any one. Women threw themselves at Drew all the time. He could have had anyone else in the entire goddamn city. Why did my Drew have to have sex with Gwen motherfucking Stevens?

After a few minutes, I managed to slow my breathing. I didn’t feel like I was going to suffocate anymore, but my heart was aching. It was such an intense physical pain.

Taking in my surroundings, I realized where I was. I wasn’t really sure how I got there. This was our place, the spot right in the middle of the square between his apartment and mine. The tears came back in full force. I had to get home, away from this place where I was surrounded by him, his laugh, his smile, and that stupid dance. It was all there.

I headed toward my apartment. When I got there, I numbly climbed the stairs and fit my key in the lock. I pushed my way in, slammed the door, and flipped the dead bolt, heading for my bed.

When your best friend breaks your heart, who is left to call to help you pick up the pieces?

Chapter 15

Drew (Then)

I was so fucked. I lay in bed, staring up at my ceiling, cursing my dumb ass for getting into this situation in the first place. I was not a relationship kind of guy. What the hell was I doing? Not to mention, if anything did happen with Red and it didn’t work out, I would lose the best thing in my life. This was such bullshit.

I heard my phone vibrate on the nightstand and reached over to see who it was. Shit, it was Red.

Alex: Thanks for getting me home last night.

Drew: NP, How you feelin?

Alex: Like maybe that 4
th
shot was a bad idea.

Drew: Yeah you are probably right.

Alex: You up for a little hair of the dog and lunch?

I couldn’t see her right now. Fuck, I didn’t trust myself. I typed a quick response, then laid the phone down on my chest.

Drew: Can’t today. Rain check?

Alex: Sure. you ok?

Drew: Yeah, just have a web design due first thing Tuesday.

It was only half a lie. I did have a web design due, but I was almost done. I needed some space to clear my head.

Alex: K. I’ll talk to you later.

Drew: Yep.

I rolled over. My phone slid off my chest and hit the bed. What the fuck was I going to do now? My phone vibrated again, and I picked it up. This time it wasn’t Alex.

David: Wake up, asshole! I’m in town. Meet me at Spike’s.

Drew: See you in 20.

I gotta give the man one thing, he has great fucking timing.

I walked into Spike’s half an hour later and David was already there with a pitcher of beer and a huge plate of nachos. I gave him a hug, clapping him on the back.

“You look like shit,” he said.

“Thanks.”

“What’s up? Rough night?” He didn’t even know the half of it.

“If we are going to get into this, I’m going to need a shot.” I flagged down the waitress and ordered a shot of Jack Daniels.

“This is serious,” David said.

The waitress came back quickly with my drink and set it down in front of me with a glare. She looked familiar, but I couldn’t place her. I took the shot and waved at the waitress to bring me another.

“Dude, what is with you?”

“Alex. Fucking Alex.”

“You’re fucking Alex?”

“What? No! I’m not fucking her. I’m starting to, you know…”

“You’re starting to what?” A ghost of a grin appeared on his face.

“Come on, man. Don’t make me say it.”

“Oh, I’m going to make you say it.”

“I’m starting to have feelings for her, okay, asshole! Is that what you want to hear?” I dropped my head into my hands.

“To be honest, I didn’t think you were capable.”

“Of what? Having feelings? Or falling for her?”

“Falling for her?” he asked. “You said you were starting to have feelings for her. Now you are falling for her?”

“Yeah. So?” I stared down into my beer, unable to look him in the eye.

“So? There is a big difference, man. You have feelings for some nice girl you’ve been out with a few times. You fall for the girl and game over.”

“Look, I don’t know which one it is, okay? This shit is new to me. I don’t do relationships. Hell, I do everything I can to avoid them.”

“That’s for damn sure,” the waitress mumbled, slamming my drink down in front of me.

“I’m sorry. Do I know you?” I snapped.

Her eyes narrowed and she slapped me hard across my cheek. She glared at me for a minute before I noticed her name tag. Tracy. Shit, she was that girl from before the house warming party. Well, that explained the slap. She huffed and stomped off as I pressed a hand to my cheek. I guess I deserved that.

David was trying desperately to contain his laughter and I glared at him as I tossed back the second shot. Odds were Tracy probably spit in it.

“What is it with you and women?” He shook his head at me.

“I just like to have fun.” I shrugged.

“That’s because you would rather go for quantity then quality,” he said. “Look, I get it, you’re young, and in college, there is an endless stream of coeds in short skirts, thinking they can fuck their way into getting what they want. It may seem like you are living the dream, but waking up next to a different girl has nothing on waking up next to the right girl. Look at Mom and Dad. Shit, they’ve been married for twenty-seven years and they are happier than the day they were married.”

“Yeah, but look at Pop now. Don’t you see how her cancer is killing him just as much as it is killing her?”

“What Mom is going through sucks and it is hard on all of us, but don’t think for a second that Dad would trade a single minute of his life with her if he had the choice.”

“What if Red doesn’t…?” I let the question hang, not wanting to really consider that she might not feel the same way I did.

“You won’t know until you tell her.”

He had a point and man, did I hate it when David was right. He could be a self-righteous bastard when he wanted to be.

I poured myself a beer from the pitcher on the table. “You didn’t come all the way up here for the cheap beer. What’s up?”

“Yeah, I actually came on some wedding business. So, things with Mom aren’t…” he paused, dropping his head. He cleared his throat and looked up at me. “Millie and I are moving up the wedding to the end of the month.”

“Wow, that’s quick. You sure there isn’t another reason?” I chuckled.

“Funny, asshole!” He balled up a napkin and tossed it at me.

“Okay, so what do you need from me?”

“I want you to be my best man.”

I looked up at him. “Really?”

“Of course! You’re my brother. Who else would I want to stand up with me?”

I shot him a smile and dropped a hand on his shoulder. “I’m honored, man, seriously.”

“Okay, well, I got to get going. I have to round up the rest of the groomsmen before I have to get back.” David chugged the rest of his beer and got to his feet, tossing a few bills down on the table.

“Thanks, Dave.”

He nodded and headed for the door.

***

I spent the rest of the day just trying to find ways to occupy my mind. I finished the web design project. I got started on a psych paper. I considered cleaning, but figured that was taking the distraction thing a little too far. I ended up drinking on the couch with the TV on, although I was not paying attention to what was on the screen. My head was on a constant loop of Red.

I was so focused on her that when my phone went off, I half expected it to be Red.

Sean: Dorm party at Langford. Get down here.

I figured, eh, what the hell. I got up, grabbed a jacket and my keys, and headed out to meet up with Sean.

When I got there, people were everywhere. The party covered the entire first floor. All the doors were opened and people went from room to room and spilled out into the hallway. I spotted Sean and headed over to him.

“‘Bout time.” He turned to a little blonde standing next to him. “Hey. Crystal, this is my roommate, Drew.”

I nodded a greeting to her and she gave me a suggestive smile, twirling her hair around her finger. “Hey Becca,” she called without taking her eyes off me.

As the tall brunette made her way toward us, she answered, “Yeah.” When she saw us, she stepped close to me, running her hand down my chest. “You must be the roommate. I heard so much about you.” Her voice took on a slow, sexy drawl.

She was ridiculously hot, but she knew it. She wore a tight brown low cut vest only a shade darker than her overly tanned skin. Her tight jeans hung low on her hips, exposing the smooth skin of her stomach.

I looked up, meeting Sean’s eyes. He smiled at me and nodded. The smirk on his face said you’re welcome, but this was not the distraction I was looking for. I was starting to push her away when I caught sight of Red coming out of one of the rooms behind her. She was smiling, facing someone I couldn’t see. She reached her hand out and took a few steps backward. She leaned against the wall. Then I saw Chuck step toward her. He leaned in close, smiling down at her.

“Sean was telling me about your apartment,” Becca said. “Sounds nice. I would love to see it.”

“Yeah,” I replied without comprehending what she’d said. I was too busy watching Red giggle and flirt with Chuck. Goddamn it! Last night she was telling me how I should have kissed her and now she’s flirting with that asshole!

Becca grabbed my chin and turned my head back to face her. “Why don’t we get out of here?” She pressed herself against me and my eyes immediately went to the abundance of skin coming out of her top.

I looked over her head and saw Chuck lean down and kiss Red’s neck as she giggled and reached for his shoulder. All of my instincts were telling me to go over there and rip Chuck off her, but that was not going to work out in my favor. I looked down at Becca, who was insanely hot and obviously ready to go. Then I looked back at Red, who was letting Chuck lead her down the hall. I snapped. I grabbed Becca’s hand.

“Fuck it, let’s go!” I headed for the door, dragging Becca along behind me.

“You two have fun!” Sean called after us.

The ride back to my apartment was short, but Becca wasted no time. She was all over me in the car, her lips and tongue on my neck and her hands in my lap. I was turned on and more than ready to go, but I was also seriously pissed.

I threw the car in park and grabbed Becca by the back of the neck, crushing my lips to hers. She moaned loudly as I kissed her hard. If Red was going to fuck around with Chuck then I was going to enjoy the hell out of this stacked chick trying to climb into my lap.

I got her out of the car and up the stairs, pressing her to my front door. I tried to get the door unlocked but was distracted as her hands started to unbutton my jeans.

Once inside, I lifted her and carried her to my room, dropping her onto the bed. She bit her lip and reached for the three buttons holding together what already wasn’t much of a top. I pulled my shirt over my head as she sat up, pulled my zipper down, and yanked my jeans down my legs.

I unclasped her bra and roughly cupped her breasts as she moaned, dropping her head back and giving me access to her neck. She smelled like vanilla. It was too sweet and it made me think of Red and her fruity shampoo.

Fuck! It should have been me. I should be the one kissing her, touching her, not Chuck!

I growled, frustrated by everything that was going through my head and desperate to find something else to focus on. I pushed Becca back onto the bed, hovering over her and undoing the button of her jeans. I let my lips travel down her neck to her chest. I ran my tongue over her already hard nipple and trapped it between my teeth. She arched her back in response and cried out.

I kept flashing back to Red, wondering where she was and what Chuck might be doing to her. I slid down Becca’s body, ripping her pants down her legs and tossing them to the side. The more I thought about Red, the rougher I got. I was far from hurting Becca, though, and she was more into it than when we started.

I went to the nightstand to grab a condom and my phone lit up with a text.

Alex: You up?

I froze. I couldn’t move. I just stood there, staring at my phone. I looked over to Becca, who was lying naked on my bed, waiting for me to fuck her, but I couldn’t.

“Goddamn it!” I yelled. I grabbed my phone and headed for the bathroom, slamming the door behind me. I wrenched the cold water on and dropped my phone to the counter before stepping under the freezing spray. I was losing my fucking mind! I pounded a fist against the tile and let the cold water run down my back. It did the trick. I was starting to calm down and my head was beginning to clear.

I turned off the faucet and stepped out of the shower. I dried myself off and wrapped a towel around my waist before heading back into the bedroom to deal with the naked girl in my bed.

She was sitting up when I walked back into the room. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, but you should go.”

“You sure about that?” she asked, sliding off the bed to press herself against me.

She reached for the towel around my waist and I grabbed her wrist. “Yeah, I’m sure.”