Still Creek (The Cove Series Book 2) Read online

  “One will get over it. He thinks a lot of Hardy, and you know he loves you. He’s just as bad as Mom and Dad when it comes to protecting us. I think it’s because of the mess with Montgomery.” Chord looks at his phone when it buzzes.

  “Hot date? Who is she?” I knock my knee into his as I joke.

  “I wish. No, just my friend, Sutton. She’s cool, but that’s all she is—a friend. So you and Hardy, what’s the plan?” He stands as he asks before reaching for me.

  “No clue. He says he wants me but runs at every turn. I’m tired of chasing him.” I shrug.

  “Maybe stop. Stop everything. Whatever happened to make him leave must have been something huge. Let him think about it. Leave him wanting more.” With my brother’s arm around me, we wander the path home.

  I make a quick run for a bottle of wine on my way home, I plan to relive Hardy several times tonight. Kicking off my shoes, I put the wine in to chill. I jump in shower because I can smell Hardy all over me. After, I throw a pair of boy shorts on and a ratty old t-shirt, picking up my dirty clothes to take them to the laundry on my way to the kitchen.

  I don’t make it out of the bedroom before I drop something. It’s in a little blue velvet bag with a drawstring. Where did that come from? Picking it up, I continue to the kitchen after dropping my clothes off. Pouring a glass of wine, I curl up on my couch and open the bag. Flipping it upside down, something drops from it.

  A silver chain lands first, with a flower pendant on the end. Inside the flower, there’s a starfish. The best of both worlds. I shared with Hardy my love of starfish, The Legend of the Starfish is one of my favorite tales. The necklace is delicate like a flower, but the strength of the center starfish has deep meaning, I feel it. Kissing it lightly, I say a silent prayer for us and place it around my neck.

  Tossing and turning most of the night, Chord’s suggestion plays over in my mind. I’m not a fan of game playing. Probably explains my lack of dating experience, but it’s not me. Hardy’s older than me, so I’m pretty sure he’s not playing. The conviction in his words about my brother told me so.

  Hardy’s words echo through my heart; I feel like he was telling me I was too good for him. Or moreover, he isn’t good enough for me, my family. My brother. He’s One’s best friend, what would ever make him feel that way? Has One made him feel less? It would be hard to imagine anyone making him feel less than what he is. Unless, he feels that way already.

  Pacing my living room, I open my back door to listen to the ocean. The breeze is warm, reminding me of a storm brewing off the coast. Resembling the one in my heart. Why tell me you want me but it can’t happen? Like lighting a fire and running away.

  Closing my eyes, my body heats from the memory of him pressed against me. His lips on mine, taking what he wanted. Allowing me what I need. Giving in to this thing before we combust. Both of us wanting each other, yet him still holding back.

  Knowing he wants me, how he kissed me. Even making me orgasm, I know what I need to do. I have to walk away. No more waiting, I’ve waited for two months. Chord’s right, it’s time he comes to me.

  The following week, I work on taking care of me. Starting with getting my business off the ground. The week passes quickly. I’m working by day and setting my apartment up at night. I decline help. I prefer to be alone right now, with so many things to work through.

  Christy invites me out Saturday night but again, I decline. Around eleven that night, I can’t take another minute inside my own head. I’ve dodged Hardy all week. My office is located in the building adjacent to One’s. I came in late and left early before he had a chance to come around.

  Tonight though, I need a drink. Every night I’ve dreamed of him. His lips. His words. Feeling like I need to see him or text him, it’s time for a distraction. So to the club I go. Forgoing Froggy Bottomz, I head straight for Malibu Surf Bar. The hottest bars at Myrtle are within walking distance of one another, but I’m praying I don’t run into the big guy from the other night.

  Two Bottle Caps later, I text Christy to get her ass over to Malibu’s. Five minutes later, she walks through the door. Waving her over, we get a few drinks and find a table. I’m determined not to get drunk tonight. I do stupid shit, so it’s not happening.

  “So what brought you out? Don’t say nothing, you’ve been non-existent this week. Has he called? Oh, hell no. Did you call him? Tell me you didn’t call him.” I have to hold my hand up to get her to shut the fuck up. Shit.

  “No, he didn’t call, and neither did I. I needed to loosen up, it’s been a helluva week,” I reassure her as I nurse my Green Fairy. These damn things set me on my ass before, I’ll not be slamming them back this time.

  “Good, I think. Is it good?” Giggling at her show of solidarity, she begins to laugh with me. This is good. It’s what I need.

  “It’s good. No sense sitting at home going over ‘bathroom gate’ a million more times. I’m done. If he wanted me, he should have made a move by now,” I say, shrugging as I think about the past week.

  “Have you figured out why he doesn’t want this with you? Is it because of One?” Contemplating Christy’s question, I really would have to say, no.

  “I don’t think so. I mean, yes, it’s not the best of situations, but fuck that, I’m a grown-ass woman. I call bullshit on that excuse.” Taking another swig from the Green ‘fuck you up’ Fairy.

  “So it’s more? Girlfriend? That’s it—no way that mother fucker is as hot as he is and not have a regular piece. He’s tapping someone or everyone.” She can shut the fuck up now. No. He couldn’t have spent the whole weekend with me if he had a girlfriend.

  No sooner do I think it that I see Hardy across the room. Wrapped the fuck around a fucking blonde with huge ass tits. I want to hate her. Instead, I’m jealous. She has the one thing I want, his head tucked into the crook of her neck.

  My chest hurts. Pains in my stomach are making me feel ill, I think I’m going to vomit. Reaching for my purse, I drop my glass, making a few look in my direction. Sure enough, Hardy is glaring at me. Like I wanted him to see me.

  “I gotta go, Christy. Hardy’s over there with a blonde. Fuck, he’s seen me. I can’t stay.” She looks over my shoulder as I stand there, hoping she’ll help me make my escape.

  “He’s on his way over. She’s right behind him.” What the hell?

  “Christy. Thayer. How are you, ladies?” Really, small talk? Locking eyes with Christy, I roll my eyes. Smiling sweetly, she answers him.

  “We’re good. Didn’t think this place would be so crowded, we were just leaving,” Christy replies, giving me the opening to walk away. Silently begging for him to just let me go.

  “Thayer, how’s the business coming along. I haven’t seen you all week, thought you might be reconsidering.” He fucking wishes. I want to retort a ‘fuck you, asshole’ but take the high road instead. Slowly turning, I look into my favorite green eyes and blow him off.

  “No, not at all. I had several meetings set up and a few interviews. Looks like our first job together will be next week. I suppose I’ll see you then.” Smiling, I wave with a wink. I’m brought up short when the blonde with him adds her two cents.

  “So you’re going to be working with her?” She waves her arms in my direction. I’m not positive, but I believe I snarl at them. Hardy lays a protective hand on her arm as he replies.

  “Yes, sweetheart. She’s my best friend’s baby sister.” It’s a knife to the heart. I hope I don’t look as defeated as I feel.

  “Ah, kinda like your little sister then. Okay, babe.” Her perfectly polished nails are draped over his shoulder as she leans in puckered for a kiss. I can’t take my eyes off Hardy, waiting to see if he accepts her gesture. I’m sure I’m green. Whether from wanting to puke, or envy, I’m not sure.

  “Not now, Angie baby. Public displays are so inappropriate; don’t you ladies think?” he says with a smirk and glares at me.

  “Unless you’re making someone jealous. Then it can be bene
ficial, don’t you think?” Christy tries to argue but to no avail.

  “Depends on how it’s done,” Hardy rebuts. I’m fuming by this point, so I decide to have the last word.

  “Well, if you end up in their bed the next morning, I’d say it works,” I counter with a small grin playing on my lips. His eyes are drawn to them, licking his ever so slightly. But my victory is short-lived as his date takes things into her own hands.

  “I don’t think I’m willing to chance which is the best approach.” Taunting me as she goes in for the kill. Wrapping her hand around his face, she pulls him in as she fucks his mouth with a kiss. Leaving her too-bright red stain on him. The exact place mine had been not too long ago.

  I try to remain stone-faced as his eyes flicker from Christy’s to mine, but I know I fail miserably. The pain in the center of my chest hurts too badly to care if I appear unfazed or not. Crushed. I’m utterly speechless. And I’ve had enough of the bullshit.

  “Well, that’s great. You two have a great evening. Thayer, I’m ready to go.” Without hesitation, I move with her to leave. Christy takes my hand as we exit the club. I can’t help myself, I glance back to see Hardy watching. He’s searching my eyes for something he’ll no longer find.

  After reassuring Christy I’m capable of driving, I take Highway Seventeen home. It’s the outer highway, but I need the drive to clear my head. That’s not happening anytime soon. I feel as if things are out of my control, and I don’t like it. I do not like being jealous. But I am, I’m jealous as hell.

  If he wanted to show me he didn’t want a relationship, he did a fan-fucking-tastic job. As if adorning himself with the blonde tramp wasn’t enough, he never refused her ‘public display’ as he called it, to make me jealous. Knowing he could move on so soon after our little hookup doesn’t help me answer the one question I’ve had nagging at me. Why did he say, with such conviction, he wanted me?

  Am I to believe he did it to show me I mean something to him or was it to show me he was aroused by me, not for me. I’m so torn. How can I hate someone I love so much? No doubt it’s possible, that’s why people divorce. I just never saw my first love going this way. I hate myself for wanting him.

  We spent so little time together, yet no one will ever be able to tell me there wasn’t a deep connection. One which goes beyond understanding. I, myself, am having trouble comprehending why he means so much to me. He does, though, he’s it for me.

  When he told me about his childhood, I could see him. A small, dirty-faced little boy. His jet-black hair twisted in different directions as his apple-green eyes looked into your soul as if he was watching through a window. Him being hungry, hiding food in the woods. Living in homes with cockroaches, only having one set of clothes. My heart broke for him.

  Thinking of the young man that lived in situations not suitable for animals; child abuse and neglect rampant, yet he survived. Surviving the streets with no place to sleep or get out of the cold rain. Leaving me with nothing but more questions about us.

  By the time I get home, Christy has texted three times. Sending her a quick one back, I let her know I had taken the long way home. Just needing the fresh air to clear my head. Scrolling through the rest, I stop dead with the chime for an incoming text, from Hardy.

  Hey.

  Answer me.

  Thayer, please. I’m sorry.

  I’m outside.

  Now, that throws me. What the hell is he thinking? Just when I’m about to get it, he shows up? Staring at my phone in disbelief, I lay it down before turning to the door. Peeping through the hole, I don’t see him. Then, he’s there. I jump, gasping from the surprise. Pausing, I try to catch my breath.

  Opening the door, I brace myself between it and the wall, determined not to let him in. He, however, looks determined to do so. My mouth goes dry as he leans against the door, his hands tucked into his front pockets. We search one another’s eyes, for what, I’m not sure. But we stand there seeking solace, forgiveness, understanding, wantonness.

  He hesitates before slowly placing his hand on my face. Carefully, he begins to stroke my cheek. With no control where he’s concerned, I lean into his caress. Knowing it’s foolish, I trust him, and I can’t help myself.

  An unfamiliar frenzy ignites in my core. Gazing into Hardy’s eyes, I see something I’ve never seen before. Something, I’m not sure another single soul has seen, vulnerability.

  My God, she’s beautiful. Standing here, looking into her deep blue eyes, I’m lost to all that can be. What we could have together, be to each other. One step closer, it’s all I need to take for her to become mine forever. I want forever with her, only her.

  Taking her face into my hands, we continue to say all the things we can’t to each other. To just be lost in her is all I ask of this life. The chance to have her as mine, forever. How did I ever think I could resist her? Her beauty and grace are sufficient for all my needs.

  Tracing her bottom lip with my callused thumb, I watch it change from pink to a deep crimson. The seconds pass, she takes it between her teeth. Her eyes darken as she pulls it in and begins to swirl her tongue around it. Flicking it like I imagine she would the tip of my cock. Sucking it deeper with a low moan, she watches me as desire floods her face.

  With every move she makes, my breath becomes heavier and more ragged. Thayer is the siren of sex that I crave. The kind that makes men do crazy things, want the impossible. She closes her eyes with a sigh as she takes my hand in hers. She bites her lip, and my cock throbs unbelievably.

  Gasping as she releases me, only to have her suck me deeper, my cock protests the fact my thumb is getting all the action. With a pop, I remove it from her lips, which she licks rapidly. Dragging her to me, I wrap my arms around her, replacing my thumb with my tongue as I push her through the door. Kicking it shut, I pick her up, and her legs wrap around me automatically. They know where they belong. I release her long enough to make sure she wants this.

  “Thayer. Are we?” Staring at each other, she simply nods and pulls me back to her mouth. Carrying her to the bed is more than I had ever hoped for, what we are about to do is going to change everything.

  Laying her down, I cover her body with mine, totally lost in her. Our tongues war with each other, fighting one minute while surrendering the next. Her fingers twist in my hair, pressing me further into her. I lie between her legs, feeling her heat as I grind into her core.

  Clutching my shirt in her hands, she tugs at it until it’s over my chest. We part long enough for me to rip it off. The light of the moon shines through her window, illuminating her face. She’s molten with desire, I want to feel it run through my veins.

  Unbuttoning her jeans, I jerk the zipper apart. Grasping them on her hips, she shimmies as I drag them over her ass and down her legs. Her pale pink panties ride one side of her hips, her t-shirt is high on her chest, so I lift her up high enough with one hand to remove it.

  Falling back to the bed, her breasts shake with the motion. My eyes switch focus from them to the storm brewing behind her eyes. My girl is so ready for this, about as ready as I am to give it to her. Tracing the lace on her bra, chills race the length of her body as her nipples pebble.

  Taking advantage, I slip my finger beneath the fabric to drag it across her. She bucks from the friction, throwing her chest in my face. Chuckling slightly, I replace my finger with my tongue. Running the same line my finger did, my tongue plays between her lace and skin. Thayer fists her sheets trying her best to lie still.

  As impatient as I am, I love the way she responds to me. Unleashing her breast, she slides the straps over her shoulders. I waste no time taking her in my mouth, sucking her erect bud as she bucks again. She keeps doing that, I’m going to give her something to buck on.

  Fisting my hair, she bites her lip as I continue licking and sucking her while palming her other breast. Circling her nipple with my tongue, I mimic the action with my finger on her other exposed tip. Biting down on her, I pinch the other, to which I’m reward
ed with a low moan.

  Replacing my fingers with my mouth on her neglected nipple, I run my finger down between her ample chest to her belly button. Circling it before moving to the lace on her panties. Thayer squirms for me when I slip inside her lace and satin. Still pressing my mouth down on her for me to suck harder. I’m about to fucking explode.

  Sliding a finger through her wet center, I move from her breast to her lips. Taking her mouth, the way I intend on taking her soon, slow and hard. She’s hot and needy, making me more than ready. Tearing myself away from her lips, I work her panties down her legs. Thayer desperately pulls and tugs at my pants, pushing them down and helping me shove them over my feet.

  Kneeling at hers, I mean, where the fuck else should I be? I lean in, taking her leg, throwing it over my shoulder. She looks wide-eyed at me before rolling her eyes back when I place my mouth on her pussy. Licking up her center, she moans when her body shudders in response. Giving me the opportunity to encircle her clit before sucking it into my mouth. Thayer rises just enough to grab my hair. Thinking she’s gonna force me up, she grinds on my mouth. Making me groan.

  Licking and sucking on her until she’s about to convulse, I slide two fingers in her to finish her off. For the first time since getting here, one of us breaks the silence. It’s all we both want to hear.

  “Take me, you own me now anyway.” Thayer’s raspy voice is just above a whisper, but it’s loud and clear. She’s telling me to make love to her, and by God, I’m going to.

  “I’m going to. I’m going to own you every way I can,” I growl out as I work my way up her body, kissing and nipping her sweet, soft skin as I go.

  Positioning myself between her thighs, I rip the condom open. Her eyes snap up and lock on mine. Her sun-kissed body lies before me, wanton, begging me to sheath my cock with her. Covering her body with mine, my cock bobs from its rigidness and the expectancy of what’s to follow. Thayer trembles as I push closer. I can’t take my eyes off her.