Текст книги "Jagged Love"

Автор книги: Nicole Simone

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Текущая страница: 12 (всего у книги 15 страниц)

The party went until midnight and it was half past one when my head hit the pillow. Andrew’s family knew how to have a good time. There was a pumpkin carving competition, pillowcase races, and an overflowing amount of spiked apple cider. Also, a buffet with incredibly delicious food I had second helpings of. Andrew’s sister forwent the cookie bake-off, which was a huge relief. We instead decorated gingerbread men with the little kids who smeared frosting everywhere. It looked like a Candy Land murder scene in the kitchen.

Tossing onto my side, I threw the duvet cover off my body and spread eagled on the mattress. The heat was on alarmingly high but there were too many buttons on the remote. What happened to simple gadgets anymore? Sweat beaded along my cleavage. Clicking on my phone, I saw it was the same time as three seconds ago. Sumiko was most likely awake but she wasn’t allowed phone privileges the first week in rehab. Hopefully, she wasn’t causing trouble. We weren’t on great terms after her attempt at escaping the hospital the night before she was to be admitted. A broken arm later, Sumiko realized escaping the hospital was harder than it appeared. I swear that girl had nine lives. Monica was another option, if she wasn’t having sex with her new boyfriend 24/7. With nobody to call, I groaned and threw my arm over my eyes.

“Haven? Are you awake?”

Light from the hallway spilled across the hardwood floors. A boxer clad Andrew tiptoed into the bedroom and shut the door.

“What are you doing?” I whispered.

“I miss my cuddle buddy.”

Although I melted into a pile of goo, Andrew’s parents’ room was a few feet away. If they caught us in bed together, it would be humiliating. Guess we would have to be quiet. He hopped onto my mattresses, crawled toward me, and flopped onto his back. His cold feet pressed against my calves.

A yelp escaped my lips. “Holy shit, you’re freezing.”

“And it’s a goddamn sauna in here. Jesus, is this how you like to sleep?”

“I couldn’t figure out how to work the remote.”

He smirked. “That’s adorable.”

I cursed the pitch darkness for obscuring my view of the hard cut lines of his abdomen and the bulge in his underwear. It was comparable to having a Christmas present that wouldn’t unwrap. The fireplace would provide enough light, plus an air of romanticism.

My finger stroked his chest. “Why don’t you fix the heat and turn on the fireplace? I’ll go change into something slinkier.”

“There is no other answer than hell yes.”

Laughing quietly, I grabbed the lace nightgown from my suitcase and went to the bathroom. My pajamas were upgraded to sexual vixen. I finger tossed my blonde hair into that just rolled out of bed look. The mirror reflected back my pale complexion, which hadn’t seen the sun in months. Since a spray tan wasn’t possible, I added a swipe of red lipstick to my lips. Better. I pressed my palm against my stomach that was fluttering with butterflies. Sex with Andrew would never in a million years get old. Like Monica said, he knew how to bring the thunder.

A soft glow flickered against the walls. Andrew was lying in front of the fireplace on the bearskin rug looking altogether spoonable. His boxer shorts left little to the imagination, exactly how they should be. Andrew’s gaze smoldered when he caught sight of my skimpy outfit. I tugged at the hemline self-consciously.

“Did I just die and go to heaven?” He asked as he titled his head. “Actually more like hell because you look like a naughty devil.”

“I should have bought horns.”

“Seriously, Haven. You are breathtaking.” His finger beckoned me forward. “Come here.”

The sexual tension in the room was thick as fog and we hadn’t even touched yet. I sat demurely next to him, folding my hands in my lap. Andrew had the ability to turn me into a virgin schoolgirl.

He plucked a bottle of wine from the gift basket his mom provided. “Do you want a glass?”

“Sure but there isn’t anything to drink out of.”

“Pretend like you’re back in high school.”

Unscrewing the cork, the smell of grapes and dark chocolate wafted under my nose. Andrew took a swig then handed the bottle to me.

“If I didn’t know better, I would say you were trying to get me drunk.”

“I don’t need to get you drunk,” his mouth brushed my hair, “to fuck you.”

The way he said fuck sent a shiver of pleasure down my spine. “Is that so?”

Holding my gaze, he slipped the spaghetti straps off my shoulders, exposing my breasts. Andrew took another swing of wine and dribbled the red liquid over my skin. I moaned as his tongue licked it off.

“You’re my favorite dessert,” he said huskily.

So far, Andrew had grabbed the reins whenever we had sex but it was about time I put myself in the driver’s seat.

Fixing my camisole, Andrew groaned with disappointment. “I rather liked that view.”

“Don’t complain or you won’t get your present.”

I pushed him onto the rug and climbed on top of him. The slick material bunched around my thighs. Andrew grabbed my waist and naughtiness shined in his eyes.

“I like this bossy side of you. It’s hot.”

“You haven’t seen anything yet.”

A sexual deviant had taken over my tongue without the moves to back it up. In the past, sex with a guy was a selfish act. I used them for release and nothing more. With Andrew, I wanted to pleasure him and tap into what made him tick.

Andrew ran his fingers up my spine. “Are you ok, baby?”

“Fine, I’m just thinking of all the things I want to do to you.” A thousand porn moves ran through my head, each more ridiculous than the last.

Andrew witnessed my lost expression and took pity. “How ‘bout we play a game? When I do something to you, you do the same.”

“Like Simon says, but better?”

He grinned. “Exactly. Ready?”

Dipping my chin, I waited with bated breath. He brushed his mouth against mine then gently sucked my lower lip between his teeth. Andrew tasted like minty toothpaste and apple pie. Mirroring his actions, we collectively moaned. Goosebumps rose on my arms even though we were a few feet away from the roaring fire. Andrew lifted my hair off my neck and kissed the tender skin below my ear, traveling to the hollow of my collarbone. Minutes blended into nothingness as we continued to tease each other. Longing built to a dull ache between my thighs.

“Andrew,” I gasped as he flicked his tongue over my puckered nipple. “It’s your turn.”

“It’s both our turns.”

“No. The game is done. It’s your turn,” I said more forcefully. “I want to make you come with my mouth and watch your handsome face become undone as you orgasm.”

Andrew’s pupils dilated with lust. “You don’t have to ask me twice.”

With my fingers, I dragged his boxers to his ankles and tossed them to aside. My gaze soaked in his impressive form. Andrew had ruined all other men for me. Pulling a move from Cosmopolitan magazine, I straddled his legs, arched my back and stuck my butt up like a pinup poster.

Andrew’s hands roamed over my curves. “You’re fucking beautiful, Haven.”

Closing my mouth around his shaft, he inhaled a sharp intake of breath. I swirled my tongue around the head of his erection while my hand pumped in rhythm.

“Just like that, baby,” he bit out.

Spurred on by his encouragement, my other hand gently cupped his balls. Our gazes locked and his eyes churned with unfathomable lust. I could tell by the way his fingers dug into my waist, he was close. I sped up and took Andrew further into my mouth. His hips lifted off the ground as he bit down on his fist to muffle his groans. The sweet taste of his cum emptied onto my tongue.

Swallowing, I grinned at a spent Andrew. “Good?”

“Good? It was amazing, mind blowing, and a thousand other adjectives I can’t think of right now.”

Giving myself a mental high five, a sense of pride bloomed in my chest. Those Cosmopolitan magazines Monica gifted to me had paid off.

As I was about to dismount, Andrew’s hand’s secured my legs in place. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“We are done.”

“We aren’t done. We just got started. Take off your clothes and lie on the bed.” His demanding tone sent a blaze of fire to erupt on my skin.

Following his order, I shed my clothes and climbed onto the soft cotton sheets. Naked and exposed, my insecurities came to my life inside my head. My thighs had a plush roundness to them and my stomach wasn’t Victoria’s Secret flat. I obscured my problem areas with the duvet. Propping myself on my elbows, Andrew gathered what looked like neckties from his suitcase.

Apprehension traveled through my veins. “What are you doing?”

“That’s for me to know and you to find out.”

“Andrew… I don’t do kink,” I said.

Turning around, he stalked toward the bed and yanked the duvet off my body. I let out a squeak and scrambled from the puffy white cloud. He shackled my wrist above my head as the fierceness in his gaze pinned me to the mattress.

“Do you trust me?” Andrew asked.

I swallowed. “I don’t know.”

“Have I hurt you, betrayed you, or have done harm to you in any way?”

“It’s not about that.”

Trust wasn’t formed through words or actions. Trust was a seed that had to be watered and cared for over a handful of months until one day when it blossomed. As I looked into Andrew’s beautiful brown eyes though, I felt a shift at my very core and the earth spun. Andrew never had to plant a seed because he had my trust from the first day we met. This hemming and hawing about whether I trusted him was never about him, it was about me. Was I ready to fully give away my heart? The answer was yes.

Andrew planted a kiss along my jawline. “I want you, every single piece of you because there is no other woman on this plant that has enraptured me so completely. I’m falling for you, Haven.”

My soul spilt into two as he stole the last remaining chunk of my heart. There was no turning back now, my heart was his and would always be his. “I’m falling for you too and I’m afraid there is no stopping the descent.”

Letting go of my hands, Andrew tenderly brushed my hair behind my ear. “Don’t be afraid. I got you. Just close your eyes and jump.”

Andrew’s love had sewn back together the broken little girl who wanted to believe that fairytales existed when the world showed its darkness instead. I wouldn’t say he fixed me because my stubbornness overruled the romantic, however, Andrew had chased away the rain clouds and brought out the sun. Kissing me deeply, my toes curled in a mixture of joy and pleasure.

His fist curled around the silk neckties as his eyes searched mine in an unspoken question. Taking a deep breath, I gave my consent. He secured my wrist to the headboard.

“If you’re at all uncomfortable, say so, and we’ll stop,” Andrew said.

“Ok.”

I wasn’t uncomfortable though, not when he explored every inch of my body with heartbreaking tenderness until I was boneless and spent. That night, we fell asleep intertwined while the snow drifted outside, creating a blank canvas for the future ahead.

The next morning Andrew was gone, leaving his smoky scent on the pillow he slept on. Like a girl in love, I hugged it to my chest and pretended as if he was still with me. Padding into the luxurious bathroom, I turned on the steam shower and let the hot water pound my sore muscles into submission. A smile stretched my lips from ear to ear. I never would have believed it if somebody said I was going to have my happy ending. Breaking into a dance, my feet nearly slipped. I steadied myself against the shower wall and laughed. The universe was a cruel bitch; everything could vanish in a second. It didn’t matter though because the high I was riding was unwavering. Once I scrubbed my body and hair clean, I toweled off and changed into a floral patterned sundress. A chill from the cracked window seeped into the room. Shivering, I layered a cardigan on top and pulled tights over my legs. Adding boots, I instantly transitioned my summer outfit to an autumn ensemble.

Downstairs, Andrew and his family sat around the dining room table. A feast fit for a king lay before them. Everything smelled heavenly. Constance’s hands flew in the air as she told a story that caused Andrew and his brother to laugh. It was such a picture perfect moment, I didn’t want to interrupt.

Candy sensed my presence. Looking up, the wrinkles around her eyes creased as she smiled. “Haven, come sit. There is plenty left. Would you like coffee? It’s on the counter but I can pour you a cup.”

Andrew laid his hand on her arm. “Mom, you don’t need to play hostess anymore. The gathering is over and only family is left.”

Candy sunk into her chair with an exhausted sigh. “You’re right. Sometimes I forget to turn off the switch.”

My heart tripled in size when Andrew included me in the family category and his mom didn’t object. I would be a fool to leave all of this behind. Andrew was part of my story and the idea of experiencing the road trip without him was agonizing. If he was still interested, I wanted my next chapter to be with him.

Andrew flashed me a smile lit from within. “I’ll get you coffee. Do you want cream or sugar?”

“Both please.”

As he went to go grab a mug, I sat next to Andrew’s brother who bared a striking resemblance to Andrew. The family laughed as I did a double take.

“It’s freaky,” I said. “You guys are like twins.”

“We get that a lot.” His voice was lower than Andrew’s and smoother, like satin. “It’s nice to meet you, Haven. I was sorry to have missed the party but I’m glad we have a chance to get to know each other before you take off.”

He also had manners to boot. Candy had raised a pretty impressive lot. “Me too. Andrew told me you are a master craftsmen.”

The conversation came easily and the whole family soon joined in. We joked, ate, and shared hilarious moments from the night before. Although I didn’t want to leave, Andrew had to get back to the city for a meeting. As we were halfway out the door, Candy shoved a box into my hands.

She peeled back the cardboard flaps. “Andrew mentioned your apartment burned down. I can’t imagine how devastating that must have been. There are a few t-shirts, pants, and things like that from Constance and myself. Andrew’s dad also added a couple of his favorite books.”

Touched by their generosity, tears threatened to escape as I sniffled. “Thank you so much. You didn’t have to do that.”

She patted my cheek. “We take care of our own.”

Now I was really going to cry. These people I had met less than twenty-four hours ago had accepted me into their hearts without question. I handed the box to Andrew and embraced his mom in a hug.

She wrapped her skinny arms around my waist and the smell of her exotic perfume wafted in the air. “I’m glad Andrew found you,” she said.

“So am I.”

With one final squeeze, Candy and I separated. We waved goodbye to the rest of his family and climbed into Andrew’s car.

Cranking the heat, I blew on my hands. “I feel like it’s colder up here.”

“Probably because we are closer to the water.”

The McMansion faded into the distance as we drove down the winding gravel driveway. I would miss this place but Andrew and I would be back again. Candy had mentioned tentative plans for Christmas. I smiled at the image of lights strung along the eaves and carols sung around the grand piano. Last year, I’d spent Christmas watching ‘FRIENDS’ reruns with a microwave meal. Monica had been working, while my mom was my mom. Crazy how much could change within twelve months. Andrew turned on the radio to a jazz station. Miles Davis playing the saxophone streamed from the speakers.

“I love your family. You made it seem like they were super judgey and would greet me with pitchforks,” I said.

Andrew laughed. “Sorry, I didn’t mean for you to get that impression. My mom doesn’t normally warm up that quickly to my girlfriends like she did with you.”

“So I’m special?”

He looked at me from the corner of his eye. “Indubitably.”

“Nerd.”

With two hours of driving left, I opened the box and peeked inside. Like Candy had said, there were t-shirts, pants, and worn book covers of classics. What caught my eye though was a black leather jacket. It felt buttery between my fingers. A gasp dropped from lips when I read the label, Vince.

“What’s wrong? Did my sister sneak a fake rat in there?”

“No, it’s just this jacket….” I stared at if it was a cruel mirage. “This jacket cost more than I’m worth.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah! I can’t believe your mom gave this to me. It has to be at least five hundred dollars.” I folded the jacket over my knee while I continued to search through the box. The other clothes were equally as expensive. “I can’t accept this stuff, Andrew. It’s too much.”

“Of course you can. My sister and mom are designer whores. They give away perfectly good clothes just because they are not in season anymore.”

Acid crawled up my throat at the thought of them thinking I was their charity case of the month.

Andrew saw through my expression and squeezed my knee. “Whatever you’re thinking, stop. My mom knows what it’s like to have your home vanish. She wanted to help and that’s all. Same with my sister. Ok?”

“Ok,” I echoed.

“Besides, you deserve pretty things.”

I grinned and pressed my lips against the back of his hand. An overwhelming amount of affection toward Andrew swelled inside my heart. “Have I told you how much I like you? Because if I haven’t, it’s a lot.”

Andrew’s half lopsided smile was adorable to the ninth degree. If he wasn’t driving, I would have tackled him in a bear hug. “Say it again.”

“I like you a lot like donuts and coffee, a lot like fiery purple sunsets dipping into the ocean a lot.”

“Damn, how did I get so lucky to win your affection?”

“It was your mad ninja skills.”

Laughing, Andrew steered into the left lane toward Detroit. He peered at the box with curiosity. “What else is in there?”

“Ummm let me see.” Rifling through the clothes, my hand closed around a clear plastic bag. Inside was a ring that looked a lot like Brad’s fraternity ring.

Andrew’s eyes widened in excitement. “Yes! I was hoping that was in there. My mom actually listened to me.”

The ring was gaudy, not to mention screamed douche canoe. “Please don’t tell me you aren’t going to wear this in public.”

“Nah, but it does hold sentimental value.”

“Since my apartment burned to the ground, it has slowly dawned on me it is meaningless to attach value to objects. The real value is in the memories attached.”

“Who are you? And what you done with my girlfriend?” Andrew joked.

“Very funny.”

The rest of car ride we listened to the greatest hits of Miles Davis. The melody lulled me into a relaxed state. Kicking off my shoes, I rested my head against the window as the trees gave away to cityscape.

“Home, sweet home,” Andrew muttered.

“You ready?” We stood in the hallway outside the front door. Andrew had teased he had a surprise waiting for me when we got back home. As I was not a fan of surprises, I begged to know what he had up his sleeve. Andrew wouldn’t budge for anything. Sighing, my eyelids fluttered closed.

“Good girl,” he praised. “No peeking, you hear?”

His chest pressed against my back as he fit his hands over my eyes. We awkwardly marched into the apartment that smelled like roasted coffee beans.

“Did you get me a French press?” I guessed.

“Nope.”

We halted. My stomach fluttered with apprehension. “Did you get me a pony?”

“Where the hell would I put a pony?”

“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “Your art studio?”

“Yeah like I would put a pony in my art studio. That’s an awesome idea.” Andrew’s tone dripped in sarcasm.

He grabbed my shoulders and positioned me to the right. Clapping his hands together, the sound echoed off the walls.

“Open,” Andrew said with a flourish.

Fluorescent pink assaulted my eyeballs and I blinked, unsure why it looked like Barbie had thrown up all over the walls. Until it hit me. Andrew had painted the hallway the obnoxious color he’d brought to Mallory’s house.

“This is…” I trailed off, lost for words.

“Awful, right?” He bounced on the balls of his feet and laughed. “I know. The color in the store was labeled as bubble gum pink but I had no idea how accurate that description was until now. Still, the triptych doesn’t look bad against it.”

The painting of my soul somehow balanced out the vividness of the backdrop. I tangled my arm around his waist, touched how above and beyond Andrew went for me.

“I love that you did this for me but I don’t need a reminder anymore that happiness is out there for me because I have you. You are my reminder.”

Andrew gazed down upon me, lifted my chin with his finger, and pressed his lips against mine. I slid my hands underneath his shirt, feeling the hard apex of his muscles. Lust shot straight between my legs.

“There is a reason that doors were invented. I suggest you guys use them when you are about jump each other’s bones.”

Andrew and I reluctantly broke apart. Matthew stood in the doorway in his usual uniform of ripped jeans and stained t-shirt. His hair was styled as if he’d gotten up that morning with the intention of trying, but gave up.

“You should quit your job as computer programmer and became an official cock blocker,” Andrew said to his best friend.

“Ha! You are hilarious, but not really.” Casting a glance at the pink wall, he squinted. “That’s interesting. Are you going for a certain theme or….”

I spoke. “Andrew’s apartment was a man den so I injected a dose of girliness.”

“Did you ever,” Matthew muttered.

“Is there a reason you stopped by?” Andrew asked, pointedly.

“Yeah, there is. I need to talk to you.”

“Ok, then talk.”

Matthew met my eyes then jerked his head toward the hallway. “Outside.”

Andrew kissed the top of my head. “I’ll be back.”

Burning with curiosity, I watched as they walked as far out of hearing range as possible. Since the hallway was the size of my thumb, I still could perceive snippets of their conversation. I inched closer but Matthew caught me eaves dropping and steered Andrew into his apartment. The door slammed shut. Reason number one why I hadn’t become a spy. My feet were as heavy as cement blocks. Minutes later, Andrew returned alone. His carefree expression was gone and replaced by undeniable tension. Whatever Matthew had divulged had thrown him through a loop.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

Andrew didn’t answer as he brushed past me. Irritation nipped at my nerves from being ignored. I thought we were past this point in our relationship.

“Hey!” My voice called to his retreating back.

He glanced over his shoulder and the haze of distraction lifted from his eyes. “Sorry. Did you say something?”

“Yeah, I asked what was wrong.”

“Oh nothing.” A beat passed. “Nothing is wrong. Matthew wanted me to a draw a banner for his son’s surprise sixth birthday party this coming weekend.”

Stung he was keeping something from me, I pressed further. “Really? Because if that was the case then why did Matthew have to drag you away?”

“Didn’t you hear the word surprise in that sentence?”

“Yeah, but it’s not like I’m friends with any of Matthew’s or his wife’s friends. Why would it matter if I knew or not?”

Andrew exhaled an exasperated breath. “I don’t know, Haven. I’ll be in my art studio.”

Fumes steamed from my ears. How dare he decide to end the conversation when it clearly wasn’t over yet?

Andrew stomped up the spiral staircase.

With each step, I felt the chasm between us grow wider. The trust I distilled in him was as fragile as glass. I hoped this was a minor incident and whatever was bothering Andrew would be revealed. Otherwise, the glass would shatter along with our relationship.