Come Together Page 20

  “Sorry, but I don’t trust myself one second longer.”

  In one motion he was standing beside me again.

  Despite my frustration, I grinned when I glanced at his crotch. “Honey,” I crooned, “can’t you do something about that? My dad could be back any second.”

  He adjusted his shorts again. “Shit.”

  “Pool?” I suggested.

  “After you.”

  “Oh, no, I’m – ”

  He scooped me up, and I squealed as he tossed me into the deep end.

  “David!” I swiped hair out of my eyes just as he landed a few feet away.

  He resurfaced, whipping his hair away from his face. “We needed to hit the reset button,” he said.

  “It’s cold,” I whined but made no move to get out.

  “You’ll survive.”

  I laughed. “Thanks for going with my dad by the way.”

  “I wanted to,” he said, swimming backward. “He’s in great shape.”

  “What did you guys talk about?”

  “Not much. We mostly ran.”

  I smiled to myself.

  He jutted his chin at me. “What?”

  “I was just trying to picture Bill running with my dad. That would never happen.”

  “He said the same thing.”

  “He likes you,” I said.

  He grinned wide, showing off all his teeth.

  “That makes you happy,” I observed with a giggle.

  “His approval is the only one that means anything to me.”

  I cocked my head. “Only his? Not my friends’? My mom’s?”

  He swam closer to me, his agile limbs cutting through the water like knives through butter. “Only his.”

  I frowned and looked away. “The other night you said you spoke to Andrew.”

  “Yeah.”

  “What else did he say?”

  He sighed and followed my gaze across the backyard. “In a nutshell, that his loyalty lies with Bill. He’ll talk to Lucy, but she’s pissed. At both of us.”

  “I thought I would’ve heard from her by now. It’s been a week since I told her.”

  “I’m sorry, baby. I really am. Maybe you should try calling her.”

  I nodded. “Maybe.”

  “Andrew also said that Lucy and Gretchen are on the outs, but he didn’t elaborate.”

  I gave him a small smile. “Dani said you were sleeping with me because you couldn’t get it from her, and Gretchen called her out. She said it was because you didn’t want to.”

  He laughed, but his gaze fixed intently on me. “Did you really throw your drink on Dani?”

  I swallowed as my cheeks heated.

  He shook his head. “Scrappy, honey.”

  I nodded my agreement.

  “I’m glad you and Gretchen are on my side.”

  “Gretchen’s been rooting for you since she found out the truth about us. Especially since she called you when Bill was out of town and told you to come to my apartment. I don’t know what you said to her, but she bought it.”

  “I wasn’t trying to sell her anything. I didn’t even have to tell her I was miserable. I just told her the truth . . . that I love you. That I’d purchased the house so I could curl up in front of the fire with you. Throw ball in the front yard with Alex or . . .”

  I fidgeted with the strap of my bikini. “Were you going to say your son?”

  “Yes, or that,” he said with a gentle smile. I took a moment to picture David with a young, teenaged version of himself, tossing a football as I watched from the porch. “So,” he continued, “if I’m to understand correctly, you’ve spent the week hearing from Bill and Dani that I’m a player who will soon grow tired of monogamy.”

  “More or less. But I have Gretchen and my dad to thank for setting me straight.”

  “I owe them then.”

  “My dad said that even though he loves and misses Gina, his second wife, he wouldn’t change a thing about their relationship. He said he doesn’t regret loving her.”

  “Why would he regret loving her?”

  “I asked if he did.”

  He ran a hand through his inky wet hair and inched toward me. “You asked that because . . . ?”

  “He’s been through a lot with her, and I can tell he’s hurting over their breakup.”

  “But why would anyone regret loving someone?”

  “When you love that hard, it’s almost inevitable that someone will end up hurt. I never understood why anyone would risk it. He explained that even hurting the way he is, he wouldn’t change it. I get it now. After last night, after whatever it was you broke through, I get it. Here with you, if it all went away tomorrow, at least I would have this right now.”

  He was closer now, and his arms came around my shoulders. After a quick peck, he drew back and looked into my eyes. “When you actually talk to me, it helps me see why you’ve made certain decisions.”

  “I knew it was fucked up,” I whispered. “But I didn’t know how to change it. I didn’t know letting go could be so right. But seeing you in pain was far worse than my own pain.”

  “Fuck, but I was afraid I’d never get through.”

  I touched his face. “I’m sorry.”

  “Olivia,” he said, tucking wet hair behind my ear, “promise me you won’t hide from me. I not only want to hear what you’re thinking, I have to. In order for us to be a team and move forward, you have to be forthcoming with me.” He smiled mischievously. “I’m fascinated with your every move, and it scares me because I’ve never felt that way before.”

  “You get scared?”

  “Of course. It scared me the moment we made eye contact. I was scared the first time I kissed you – I thought I’d pushed you away. It scared me that you wanted to stay with Gretchen this week instead of me. I get scared too. Who says you won’t be the one to wake up one morning and leave?”

  “I won’t,” I promised.

  “Trust, baby.”

  “When did you get so smart?” I teased.

  “One more thing.”

  I swallowed nervously at the tone of his voice. “Yes?”

  “I meant what I said about being alone with Bill.” He cut me off. “I know he’s not a bad guy, and I don’t feel good about his nose. But I won’t budge on this. I’m displeased that you went to see him by yourself. Especially in that dress. That was supposed to be for me, and I never want you out of my sight when you’re looking that fucking good.”

  “You liked it?” I asked with faux innocence.

  “Don’t change the subject.”

  “You didn’t like it?” I pouted.

  He sighed, and I watched surrender cross his face. “Of course I did. You were stunning. And those red lips . . . I kept imagining them wrapped around my – ”

  “Room for one more?” I heard.

  I jerked away from David and saw my dad sliding the back door closed. With my hand over my mouth, I raised my eyebrows at David and giggled. “Come on in, Dad,” I called before ducking under the cold water.

  ~

  “So . . . are you dating anyone?” I asked my dad as he searched for his car keys.

  “Sort of,” he muttered.

  “Well, you either are or you aren’t,” I responded.

  “Yes, I am, do you mind?”

  I twisted my lips and winked at David. “How old is she?” I asked.

  “Old enough.”

  I laughed, and David raised his eyebrows. “Gina was in her twenties when they got married,” I explained. David nodded as though he found this impressive, and I rolled my eyes.

  “All right,” Dad said, dangling his keys. “Last chance for grocery requests. I’m using leftovers from last night, but I have a few other things to grab.”

  I shrugged. “I think we’re good.”

  “K, I’ll be back soon.”

  Once I heard the garage door shut, I looked at David, who was already staring at me. The space between us thickened with tension. I bit my lip, sl
unk toward him and placed my hands on his pecs. “Alone at last,” I purred.

  He backed away quickly. “No.”

  “What? You’re kidding.”

  “I want to, trust me, but it doesn’t feel right. Not in your dad’s house.”

  I groaned and rolled my eyes. “Take me to your hotel then.”

  “No,” he exclaimed. “My God, woman, control yourself. Surely we can think of something else to do for an hour.”

  I furrowed my eyebrows and pouted. “What do you suggest?”

  “Show me your bedroom.”

  “But you just said – ”

  “I just want to see it. Don’t get any ideas.”

  “Okay, but it’s boring. We moved in when I was thirteen so it’s all teenage girl crap.” I motioned for him to follow me up the stairs. “He hasn’t done anything with it since I left.”

  “That’s fine,” he said, and I could tell he was grinning. I opened the door, and he strolled inside with his hands in his jean pockets. He took a moment to assess the room before he said, “Looks pretty normal.”

  “Were you worried it wouldn’t be?”

  He chuckled. “No, not really.” He made a beeline for my bookshelf, picking up a framed photo of Gretchen and me in our high school cafeteria. We had huge, red-stained smiles plastered on our faces as we both held heart-shaped lollipops. He looked between the photo and me before shaking his head and setting it back down. “You are so fucking cute. I would have died over you in high school.”

  “Doubtful,” I said.

  “Are you kidding me?” He held up my prom photo. “You were a knockout.”

  I cringed. “I hate that one.”

  “Why?”

  “I look young and awkward.”

  “Hm,” he mused. “That’s not what I see at all. Who’s the lucky guy?”

  “That’s John.”

  “John?” he exclaimed. “Gretchen’s brother?”

  “Yup.”

  “I didn’t realize . . . Did you guys date?”

  I shook my head. “He was home from college, and he was one of my best friends.”

  “So you and John never . . .”

  “No, never. He’s just a friend, but a really good one.”

  “Does he want more than that?”

  I let my eyes wander up to the ceiling as I thought. “I think so. But I’ve never seen him that way.”

  “I like him,” David decided. “He has good taste, and he looks out for you. As long as it’s from a distance.”

  He put down the photo and pulled out my yearbook, flipping through it slowly as I watched. Watching him do anything was entertaining, I was discovering.

  “Just as I suspected,” he muttered, pointing to something on the page. “Best Eyes.”

  “It’s stupid,” I said, waving him off.

  “Is it?”

  I nodded. He stared at me and I stared back, mesmerized as always. It’s as if he sees right into me . . . I cocked my head at him. “You too? Best Eyes?”

  He smiled slowly. “Yeah.”

  I told myself it was a silly coincidence, but something sweet passed between us. He broke the stare and flipped through a few more pages before replacing it on the shelf. I sat on the edge of the bed and observed as he looked through everything, stopping now and then to read the title of a book or movie.

  He came to sit next to me. “I like being here. I get to see a different part of you.”

  “Do you like what you see?” I asked, arching an eyebrow at him.

  His eyes moved to my lips, and a grunt was his non-response.

  “I’m not supposed to have boys in my bed,” I whispered. Before he could stop me, I threw a leg over him and settled astride his lap. “Dad would flip.”

  He took two handfuls of my ass and squeezed, pulling me against his crotch.

  “You’re hard,” I murmured, my mind buzzing, my insides thrilling. He skated one hand up my back and stilled me by the nape of my neck. He held it as he latched his lips to mine in a sensual kiss that quickly turned hard and greedy. His tongue reached for me hungrily as his hand secured me to him. I gyrated in his lap as he flexed his other hand against my ass.

  “Lose your virginity here?” he rasped.

  I shook my head. “College,” I breathed and then kissed him again. “You?” I asked into his mouth.

  “Sixteen.”

  “Head cheerleader?” I pushed my hips into him, creating a slow but purposeful rhythm.

  “Something like that,” he said from behind gritted teeth. “You?”

  “Jordan Banks, my,” my breath hitched when he pulled me against him harder, “first boyfriend.”

  He flipped me over onto my back suddenly and grasped my hips in his hands. My legs surrounded him as he continued his deliberate movements, his crown grinding against my clit.

  “You’re gonna . . . make me . . . come,” I breathed, gasping with each acute sensation.

  With a snap, he popped open the button of my jeans with one hand and pulled them over my ass. He propped himself above me with an outstretched arm. “Touch yourself in this bed?” he asked. He bypassed my pants to continue his sinuous teasing against my panties.

  “Yes,” I whimpered.

  “Show me.”

  I hesitated, lost in the sensations singing through my body. He grasped my hand and lowered it between my legs. He shifted his hips and clamped my hand over my mound, circling my fingers over my clit.

  “Oh, God,” I moaned, bowing my back. “Right there.”

  “Don’t stop,” he said gruffly as he removed his hand to undo his fly. I massaged myself and watched his cock fall heavy into his hand. His lids were low as he stroked himself, never taking his eyes off my hand.

  He groaned loudly. “I could come just watching you.”

  I urged him forward by pushing my heels into his ass.

  He glanced over his shoulder. “We can’t.”

  I kneaded faster over my underwear, squirming beneath him and breathing heavily. “Please,” I panted. I reached out to touch him, and his other hand fisted the sheets next to my head. Suddenly, he tore my jeans off the rest of the way, yanked my panties aside and fed himself into me.

  He made a nose from the back of his throat, and his eyes remained locked on my hand. “Don’t stop,” he rasped, sliding in and out of me. He grasped my hip in one hand and continued bracing himself against the bed with the other. I applied more pressure and circled faster, bringing myself to the edge as he thrust into me. Within a few plunges he was coming with his jaw clenched, clawing at the sheets, jerking as his heat coursed into me. I grabbed onto his t-shirt as my pleasure crested, seizing and releasing me repeatedly, arching my back and bucking my hips. When I finished he was watching me with wide eyes. I released my back onto the mattress and let go of his shirt.

  “Fuck,” he breathed.

  I pulled him down by his neck and kissed him. “Thank you, baby. That was just what I – ”

  He jumped back when the door slammed downstairs.

  “Shit,” I hissed, fumbling to do up my jeans. I flew to my feet as David buttoned his own pants. My dad’s voice rang through the house. After a moment to catch my breath, I responded. “Up here, Dad.”

  I heard him climbing the steps as David whirled to the bookshelf to pick up my prom photo.

  “That was quick,” I squeaked as he leaned in the doorway.

  “Didn’t need much,” he said with a shrug.

  “I was just asking Olivia about her high school prom,” David blurted loudly, and I refrained from rolling my eyes. This was the one moment where he couldn’t be cool? I shifted on my feet suddenly and cursed under my breath, just as David caught my eye.

  “John Harper,” my dad remarked, nodding at the photo. “He still causin’ trouble?”

  Fuck . . . I fought the urge to adjust myself as my panties dampened with David’s semen.

  “Olivia?” David asked.

  I grimaced as I shifted again, and David furrowed h
is brows at me. When my dad turned to David, I quickly pulled at my crotch. “Um, I don’t – not sure.”

  A lewd smile crossed David’s face.

  “Well, I’ll get started on those leftovers,” Dad said.

  “I’ll help,” David volunteered.

  When they left, I ran to the bathroom. Suddenly I understood why David had tried to me fend off – almost getting caught was not sexy. But as I cleaned myself up, I couldn’t bring myself to regret it.

  Once I’d changed, I rejoined them in the kitchen. They were a beer deep, so I grabbed a Heineken and sat back to watch as my dad showed David how to make steak enchiladas. David gave my dad his undivided attention, seemingly eager to acquire this new skill. I sighed. If he learned to cook, then he really would be perfect, and where would that leave me?

  I was feeling tired from my day in the sun, so I let them talk about work and other things as I ate. David glanced at my empty plate when I sat back in my chair and winked at me. When I offered to do the dishes, my dad shooed me away, and I flopped onto the couch, completely sated. I wondered, as they cleared the table together, if I should be worried that my dad was treating David more like a peer than his daughter’s boyfriend.

  I flipped through the channels until they’d finished and put on ESPN at their request. David sat on the couch with his long legs spilling in front of us. I lay my head on his lap and tuned out the show while he played with my hair.

  “You awake?” was the next thing I heard. I opened my eyes. It was dark and SportsCenter was on the screen, but it was muted.

  “Did I fall asleep?” I asked.

  “Yeah. Your dad just went to bed.”

  “Mmm, sorry.”

  His hand stroked my hair, and I closed my eyes again.

  “I’ll take you upstairs.”

  “Not yet,” I said softly.

  He lifted my torso to arrange his legs lengthwise on the couch. Because it was a tight fit, I climbed atop him to rest my cheek on his broad chest. He slid his hand under my hair, freeing it from my neck.

  “Are you having fun?” I asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “What time is your flight?”

  “I don’t have one.”

  “Why not?”

  “I’ll buy it when we get to the airport.”

  “Oh.” I shifted on him and smiled when I realized it was so we’d fly together. “Good.”