Stronger With Us (The Strength Series Book 3) (9 page)

15

Did she just kick me out of her room? What the fuck? This girl is seriously messed up.

But why are you drawn to her?
Probably because she’s messed up.

I’m so fucking screwed.

As I sit here on the bed, I know I have two choices; stay and see what she does, or leave and try to go back to normal. If I could remember more about last night it might make this decision easier.

The wedding is over and she picks a fight with me as the wedding party goes to the casino to get a drink. She comes up behind me when I order a second drink. I challenge her about drinking whiskey.

“Bottoms up,” she says raising her glass. I mirror her movement and only take a sip. She practically slams hers.

“What are you, a pussy?” she asks raising one eyebrow. What the fuck?

“No, I’m enjoying my drink. What’s your excuse? Do you shoot it like that because you don’t like the taste? I knew you couldn’t handle the good stuff.”

“Actually, asshole, I like it just fine. I was thirsty.”

“Okay, I’ll let you get away with that for now.”

Colin and Becca come over and get some champagne. The rest of our group follows and we’re standing in a circle with the bubbly.

“I think it’s appropriate for me to make a toast,” I say, raising my glass to my brother and his bride. “I’ve never believed in love. It seems fleeting and difficult. For some reason, though, you two make it look really easy. I wish you all the love and happiness in the world. To my baby brother and his beautiful wife.” Everyone lifts their glasses in a toast.

“I want to say something,” Christin adds. “Becca is my best friend. I don’t know what I’d do without her. Colin, you’ve saved her once and since that day you have continued to show her what a man is supposed to be. So, thank you, for making my friend happier than she’s ever been in her life.” We all clink glasses and finish the champagne. The girls hug each other and the guys just look around.

“Thank you all for coming out here with us. It means the world to Becca and me. Now, instead of a formal reception, we’ve decided to take you all to dinner at Herringbone here in the resort.” Everyone smiles and follows Colin to the restaurant.

Dinner was a wonderful combination of seafood, wine, and conversation. After dessert, everyone decided to go their separate ways. It’s obvious what Colin wanted to do with Becca. Based on the way James is looking at Steph, they won’t be in public very long either.

“What are you going to do, Kevin?” I hear Christin ask. I get the feeling she’s trying to avoid me.

“I’m going to a club to meet some friends that live here. You’re welcome to come with me, but I can’t guarantee you’ll have fun. It’s a bunch of DEA agents.”

Christin wrinkles her nose and shakes her head. “Thanks anyway, but I’m going to pass.”

“I understand. I’ll catch you guys later.”

“I’m going to the Blackjack table. You can join me if you’d like.” She looks at me suspiciously, so I shrug and turn to walk away. I hear her sigh loudly before her heels are clicking on the floor behind me.

“You don’t have to walk so fast, you know.”

“I didn’t realize that I was.” She reaches out and grabs my arm, effectively slowing my stride and waking up my cock. This woman does things to me that nobody else does.

I hear the shower turn off and get up to put my pants on. I open the curtains and stare out at the amazing view of Las Vegas. When the bathroom door opens I hold my breath in anticipation of the ass chewing I’m about to receive.

“I should have known,” she says. I turn around and find her standing just outside the bathroom wearing only a towel.

“Known what, exactly?”

“That you wouldn’t take direction well. Your reputation screams defiance and from what I’ve experienced, you do what you want no matter what the cost.”

“And that’s a bad thing?”

“Yes. I want you gone and you’re still here. That’s bad, Jude.”

I can’t help the grin that breaks out on my face. This woman has no idea what she really wants.

“Your body says otherwise.” I nod toward the towel that has slipped from her spectacular breasts to display her rosy nipples hardening to peaks that beg to be worshipped.

“It’s cold in here. Get out, Jude.”

“I tell you what, I’ll leave right now if you can honestly say that your pussy isn’t dripping wet and begging for my cock right now. Better yet, I should probably check for myself.”

Her breathing increases as I move toward her. I can tell that she’s trying to figure out what her next move is going to be. I reach out and rip the towel from her trembling body.

“You are fucking gorgeous. Now, let’s see if you’re ready for me,” I whisper as I trail my hand down her arm to her hip and to her core. “Well, Christin, it seems that I’m right.”

She whimpers as I find her clit and circle it slowly. She’s so warm and soft that I want to melt into her and stay for a while.

I start to kiss down her neck and she grabs my pants. It takes mere seconds before I’m just as naked as she is. I reach her mouth and take it in a blistering kiss while I reach for her hips and pick her up. She wraps her legs around me and slides down on my dick that has turned to steel.

“Ah, God. Why do you have to be so fucking good at this?” she asks as I lower her to the bed and slowly move over her.

“It’s a gift, princess,” I say looking into her deep blue eyes. She holds my gaze as I continue to thrust into her. I feel her walls start to tremble, and I know she’s close.

“Do you want to come for me?” She nods closing her eyes and arching her back. I slow my pace to try and draw out her pleasure. Her lids snap open and she tightens her legs that are still wrapped around my waist.

“Don’t be a pussy, Jude. Fuck me harder if you want me to come.”

“You say the sexiest shit, princess.” I give her what she wants, and she screams her release. It takes all the control I’ve ever had to keep my orgasm at bay, but I’m not ready for this to end yet. Looking at this beautiful woman underneath me in the throes of passion is nearly my undoing.

“Roll over,” she says, and I’m helpless to resist. Normally I want to be in control, but I’m willing to concede this once.

She settles on top of me and puts her hands on my chest. “Hm, this is a nice view,” she says as her fingers trace down my sternum to my abs, which twitch with each touch.

“Look as much as you like,” I say as I put my arms behind my head. She bends over and runs her tongue around my belly button, her wet hair dancing over my skin. It tickles but only makes my dick even harder. I can’t help thrusting up into her warmth to get the friction I need.

“Oh, Jude, if you’d just let me be in charge you’ll find a new level of pleasure you’ve never known exists. If we were at my place, I’d be tying you to my bed to make sure you follow directions.” My dick jumps again. I’ve never really been into bondage, but this woman seems to be making me rethink most of my ideas about sex.

“Princess, for you, I’d be happy to be at your mercy.”
Wait, what?
I blame my cock for that statement. She’s got him in her grip, literally and figuratively.

Christin sits up suddenly and leans back. I watch her practically bend in half backward. She rides me like a bucking bronco and when her finger touches just behind my balls, they explode. I tried to hold it back, but whatever she did left me helpless to the pleasure. I see stars as my orgasm continues, and I feel her pussy clamp down and milk me.

“Holy fucking shit,” she says as she collapses on my chest. I’m incapable of speech so I just nod my agreement. This woman does things to me that no one else has, and I’m afraid I’ll never get enough.

16

This man makes me crazy. First of all, he refuses to leave my room. Second, he fucks me so well that I forget my name. Third, he’s trouble and I know it. Fourth, he’s my best friend’s brother-in-law. Fifth, he calls me princess, and I’m starting to like it. All of that adds up to nothing but trouble for me.

I’m still in my post-orgasmic haze, lying on his chest, when his arms come up around my back. The hug feels so good. I rarely let people hug me. It’s too intimate. I know how hypocritical that sounds; I’ll fuck guys, but I don’t like hugs. Sue me. But this hug is different, it makes me feel safe, something that I haven’t felt in a very long time, if ever. I relish it for a few seconds, but I know that safe and secure relationships are dangerous, so I pull back.

“Where are you going?” he asks as I move off of his body.

“I need to shower again, and get ready to go. I have to work in the morning so I’m taking an earlier flight out. I would appreciate it if you would actually leave this time so I don’t miss my plane,” I answer as I leave the bed.

“That’s not exactly what I meant, but okay,” he mutters. I don’t look back as I walk to the bathroom, closing and locking the door behind me.

The cab ride to the airport was short, quiet, and lonely. I didn’t tell Becca about my early flight home because she would have made a fuss. After last night, I’m glad I’ll be flying alone. Unfortunately, I have the next three or four hours to relive this weekend and figure out how I’m going to forget all about Jude Schaefer. The airport is busy, so it’s easy to concentrate on getting checked in, making it through the mile-long TSA line, and finding my gate. McCarran airport is laid out nicely, but there are so many people it feels like trying to get into a rock concert.

As I play a slot machine by my gate, I find that I’m going through the motions. I don’t even know if I’m winning. My thoughts are scattered all over the place, but my eyes are suddenly drawn to the main hallway. I blink a few times and shake my head. There’s no way he actually followed me to the airport, is there? I’m not living in a romantic comedy or the final episode of "Friends."

The man gets closer and walks right past me. It’s not Jude, just someone who has the same build. The crushing disappointment almost knocks me off my stool.

“Get your shit together, Christin. You don’t pine over guys. You get what you need and you move on. Men are only good for one thing, remember?” I say to myself as I cash out of the machine and move toward the door where my plane is boarding.

It doesn’t take long for me to fall asleep after takeoff. The time change is brutal and this morning’s strenuous activity has me in desperate need of a nap.

I can hear them arguing, her telling him to get out and him begging to stay. It’s the same thing every time she brings one home.

“I told you that I don’t need a man to take care of me. My life is just fine the way it is.”

“Baby, you know I love you, and I want to be part of your life. Just let me help you.”

“Look, Rob, you’ve been fun. We’ve had some great times, but it’s over. You knew from the beginning that I wasn’t interested in a relationship. I have to think about my kids and having a man around taking my attention away from them isn’t what they need right now.”

“Fuck, Carol. Do you hear yourself? I want to be part of all your lives, including the kids.”

“Well, that’s not happening. So, are you going to leave, or do I need to call the cops?”

I close my bedroom door so I don’t have to listen to anymore. I like Rob. He’s nice to me and my little brother, Bobby. But Mom never lets a guy stay too long. She says that a woman has to be independent because no man is able to put his own needs aside. I remember the first time she told me that, sitting in the kitchen after she’d kicked Bobby’s dad out.

“CJ, you have to take care of yourself,” she said. “Men will come into your life and make you all sorts of promises. But they are only interested in what you can give them. If you know yourself and what you want, you’ll never depend on a man for anything. Well, except sex, but that’s what they’re best at.”

I shake my head at the memory; Bobby's dad got kicked to the curb five years ago. Now that I'm a teenager all my friends can talk about is how they can’t wait to have a boyfriend and try sex. It doesn’t seem that great to me.

The front door slams so I assume that Rob is gone. I carefully open my door to listen for voices, but I don’t hear any. Walking down the hall, I stop in front of Bobby’s door, but I can hear him snoring so I know he’s missed the drama. I’m glad because he always gets so upset when the men leave. I find my mom in the kitchen pouring a cup of coffee.

“Are you okay, Mom?” This is our routine.

“Yeah, baby, I’m fine. It was time, you know?” Actually, I don’t know, but I’m not telling her that.

“I get it. He wanted too much. Probably for the best.” I hear the words coming out of my mouth, but I’m not sure I believe them.

“It is. We don’t need anyone to take care of us. We’re doing just fine on our own, like always. So, what have you got going on today?” She sits at the table with her coffee and lights up a cigarette.

“I’m going over to Patti’s house today. We’ve got to get our science project finished before Monday, and we’ve barely started.” I hate science. It’s a worthless subject but I know I have to pass to move up to ninth grade.

“That sounds like a plan. I’m going to take Bobby next door so I can get the shopping done. Let’s plan on having dinner together tonight, okay?”

“Yes, Mom. I’ll be home in time.” I kiss her on the cheek and head back to my room to get ready for the day.

I wake with a start, hoping I didn’t talk in my sleep. The elderly woman next to me smiles softly.

“Are you all right, dear? You seemed to be having a nightmare.”

“Yes, I just hope I didn’t embarrass myself.”

“Oh, no, you’re fine. I don’t think anyone noticed but me. Do you want to talk about it?” She has kind eyes and seems like the grandmotherly type.

“Thank you, but no. I’m sorry if I disturbed you.”

“You didn’t, dear. No worries here,” she says with a wink and goes back to reading her Kindle.

I take a deep breath and stare out the window. I can see the mountains so we obviously haven’t been in the air that long. The clouds moving by are hypnotizing, and soon I’m falling back to sleep.

“Oh, princess, do that again,” he growls. I reach down and tease his perineum, something he’s recently discovered he likes a lot, as I suck harder on his cock.

“You’re going to kill me, you know that? It’s so fucking good!”

I hum my agreement as I let my pinkie finger slip inside his ass. He tries to sit up but I have him tied to the bed. “HOLY SHIT! FUCK! DAMN! FUCK!” he yells as he comes down my throat. I continue to suck on him until his entire body shivers. I pull off his cock with a pop and flick his piercing before I lick my lips. His eyes are closed, and he’s panting like he’s just sprinted a 100-meter dash.

“You like?” I ask coquettishly, lightly running my fingernails up his muscular legs to his amazing abs.

“Uh, huh,” he says as he nods.

“Is that all you can say?”

“Uh-hmm,” is the response. I smile as I mentally pat myself on the back for reducing this incredibly strong man to nothing but a pile of goo. There’s no feeling more powerful than that.

“Do you want me to untie you?” I ask as I kiss up his huge biceps toward his bound wrists. He nods. “I’m going to need to hear the words if you really want to be free of me.”

He takes a deep breath, obviously trying to recover his speech. “I want you to untie me, but I never want to be free of you,” he whispers as his eyes open slowly. My heart starts to race and my breathing picks up. I hurry and loosen the silk ropes that bind his arms and once he’s free, he pulls me into an embrace that threatens to break me.

“Stop fighting me, princess. I know you don’t trust men, but I think I’ve more than proven myself. I’m not going anywhere, and nothing you do can change my mind,” he says as he kisses the top of my head.

“You have shown me that you’re going to stay. I just have trouble believing that I deserve it, you know? I’ve made so many mistakes that I haven’t paid for,” I say pulling away to sit up.

“There’s nothing to pay. Everyone makes mistakes in their lives. Just let me in completely and let me love you like you deserve. Please. I want to be a permanent part of your life.”

“You do? Why in the world would you want that?” I know I’m not built for long-term commitments. My mother made sure of that.

“I will tell you this every time you doubt yourself. You are amazing and caring. You are sexy and generous. You rock my world, and you give so much of yourself to others. I can only hope to be as wonderful as you are. I love you, princess, and I’m never letting you go.”

The tears flow and I shake my head, just like every time he says that. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me down to his chest. He rubs my back as I silently cry.

“One of these days you’re going to believe me, and then I’m going to make you my wife. I’m not giving up on you or on us. You make me happier than I have ever been and that’s worth fighting for.” I cry harder until I fall asleep in his arms.

I wake as the wheels of the plane touch the runway, jolting the plane forward. The kind woman next to me pats my arm.

“Let him in and you’ll find more joy than you’ve ever known,” she says with a smile. It really makes me wonder how much I talk in my sleep.