Jagged Harts, page 18
“I am trying not to save you. But you better do something before I do.”
This time I don’t hesitate. I wind back and throw all of my weight into one solid punch to the jaw, effectively knocking out the handsy asshole. He falls to the floor in a pathetic heap that I don’t even care to give a second look at.
When I look up, I see Dax’s surprised expression with a twinkle of pride in his eyes as he easily steps over the douchebag before standing next to me.
“Nice hit.”
I nod at him wordlessly before I turn back to the bar and toss back one of my shots.
“So, where are your friends?” He asks
“Not here,” I say casually.
I throw back the next shot, reveling in the burn that runs down my throat before settling warm in my stomach. Dax’s brows furrow at that.
“I don’t like that. There are creeps around here. Case and point,” he says as he points towards the still unconscious guy on the floor.
I can’t help but giggle as I shake my head. I think it is safe to say that the tequila is already hitting me. Might as well do another just for good measure!
“Well thanks for the concern, Dad, but I’m a big girl. I think I will be alright.”
I toss back my final shot before slamming the glass down on the bar top. I pat Dax’s cheek condescendingly before I sashay off to the dance floor. I try to lose myself in the song, ignoring the sharp green eyes that I can feel staring holes into my back.
Of course, he is here. The one night that I try to get away from everything, he is here. If that isn’t a giant ass sign from the universe then I don’t know what is. I turn around to see that Dax is still staring right at me. His face is intense and protective like he doesn’t want to let me out of his sight.
Fuck it. When our eyes lock, I crook my finger towards him. Within seconds, he is striding purposefully over to me. That same intense expression is still fixed on his face but when he is only inches from me, I watch as his eyes darken. I lift up my arms and curl them around his neck as I continue dancing.
He looks hesitant for a moment before he reaches out and grabs a hold of my hips, digging his fingers into them so hard that I will probably bruise but I could care less. Someone bumps into me from behind and Dax yanks me into him even closer in response. I am now pressed tightly against his chest and my breath hitches at the contact. I look up to see his eyes bathed in desire and something else I can’t quite name. Sadness?
We stay that way for a couple of songs. Our bodies never break contact while he has me practically panting as I grind against his leg. Fuck it has been fucking forever since I have gotten laid. All this time spent with Dax has made that painfully obvious because right now I am like a bitch in heat.
Once the current song ends, Dax brings his lips down to my neck, just hovering. I shiver as his breath skates across my skin.
“It’s late. Let me drive you home,” he murmurs roughly.
I nod my head probably faster than I should have before he laces our fingers together and guides us through the club. Much to my delight he doesn’t try to drop my hand once we are free from the crowd, he actually squeezes just a little tighter like he is worried I am the one that will pull away. Not tonight.
He opens the car door for me before he climbs into the other side of his mustang. My head is still floating from the alcohol as I remember how good his hands felt on my body. After the second song they wandered down to my ass and stayed there for the rest of the night. Fuck. I wonder what I would have to do to get him to touch me right now.
Since we ran into each other, we haven’t brought up the awkward fact that I have been avoiding him like the plague this last week, which I am completely relieved by because how the fuck do I explain that?
I am sorry I have been avoiding you. I just came to the realization that I am super into you and want more, though I know that isn’t your style and I will probably just end up being a one-night stand for you. But I am weirdly ok with that if I can at least have you once.
Yeah, fuck no.
We drive in comfortable silence as he drives back to campus. Everything is different with him. There is no need to talk just to talk and silence with him never feels intolerable. When we spend time together like this it feels special, like we get each other and know what the other needs. As we get close to campus, he clears his throat.
“You look really nice tonight, Bree.”
His voice sounds strained and is unusually soft for the man that normally commands attention and dominance the moment he steps into a room. I give him a small smirk as I look up at him through my eyelashes.
“Thank you.”
When we pull up just outside of my building, he puts the car in park. Dax turns to look me in the eyes, and I notice that the same conflicted look is still there. He visibly swallows as if there is a lump he is trying to work past. When he speaks next his voice is barely above a whisper.
“You look more than nice, Bree. You are…fucking breathtaking.”
My breathing stalls for a moment and my heart does a backflip. It’s not his words really, he is always feeding me and probably every other girl in town lines and other bullshit. But it’s the earnest look on his face that has me feeling like I am free falling. The emotion brimming his eyes is something that hits me hard, and damn if I don’t almost believe him. I give him a small smile as I continue staring into his striking eyes. I wonder what those eyes would look like if I dropped to my knees and-
“So, where was Cole tonight?” He asks, watching my face closely.
“Cole?” I ask, suddenly confused. I was thinking about what his eyes would look like if I wrapped my mouth around his-Fuck. What was the question?
“Yeah. That place can have some shady characters, as you already found out. I know that you can take care of yourself, but a man shouldn’t let his girl be put in those situations to begin with.”
His tone is even and stiff, like the words are painful for him to even utter.
“His girl?” I question, as my eyebrows furrow
He shrugs. “I just assumed that after spending the holiday with him and his family you guys decided to give it a go.”
Does he sound almost…sad? Is he seriously jealous of Cole? I know he freaked when I danced with Cole at the party, but I assumed it was just because I refused to dance with him. He wouldn’t get upset like this over someone he just wanted a hook up with, right?
“We are not together things are…complicated. But we are not together.”
His face remains impassive as he says, “So, you are single?”
“Yeah.”
The air is charged for a moment and neither of us hardly breathe. I don’t know who moves first but before I know it, Dax’s lips are pressed against mine, his body leaning over me, pinning me to the seat. I groan as his tongue strokes my own. Fuck. Yes. This. This is the way every person deserves to be kissed.
Dax’s hands are cupping my jaw, but they soon start traveling over my body, brushing against my breasts before continuing down. His fingers skate against the exposed skin of my upper thigh and I moan in anticipation.
“Dax,” I whisper breathily. “Touch me, please.”
“You got it, baby,” he says hoarsely before his fingers deftly pull my soaked panties to the side as he slips a finger inside.
We both let out simultaneous groans as he pushes deeper inside of me.
“Fuck, baby. Are you this wet just for me?”
Normally I would give him shit. Tell him something so that it doesn’t go to his head, but I am buzzed, emotional and fucking horny right now. I will say or do whatever it takes to get off right now.
“Yes. Fuck yes, Dax.”
His fingers pick up their pace as his thumb comes down and starts swiftly rubbing circles against my clit.
“Say my name again, Bree. Tell me how bad you want me,” his hoarse voice rasps into my ear as he sucks on the sensitive flesh just behind it.
“Dax,” I moan. “I want you so fucking bad. Make me come, Dax.”
A growl rumbles in his chest as he hits that magical spot before stroking it quickly. I shatter apart, shouting his name as I fall apart in the front seat of his car. My pussy spasms around his thick finger for several seconds like my body doesn’t want to be done with him.
When I have come down from my earth-shattering orgasm, he slowly withdraws his hand before sucking his finger into his mouth as he rests his forehead against mine, never breaking eye contact with me. Fuck. I’m ready to go again.
We sit there for a moment in the fogged out car, the only noise being our labored breathing.
“Can I take you somewhere?” He whispers gently as he lifts a hand up to gently brush against my cheek.
I nod. Because right now I would do whatever he said. I suddenly see what the big deal is. I only made out with Dax and got finger fucked by him and I am fucking addicted. I want more of him more than I want my next fucking breath.
Dax presses a chaste kiss against my lips before blowing out a breath, pulling away and starting the car.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FOUR
DAX
They aren’t together. As soon as she told me that she wasn’t with Cole I knew that I had to take her here. I can’t wait any longer now. I am not missing my window with her again. I wasn’t sure how Aubrey would react when I told her that I have feelings for her but with the way she just kissed me and then used my fingers to get off, I would say she will take it better than I thought.
Fuck. I can still taste her. It was just a tease. I want the real thing, I need it. Shit. The sexy moans that she made, the way she said my name had me ready to nut in my pants. Pushing my straining cock to the side, I will it to calm the fuck down. If this goes well we will have plenty of time to get naked. I want to do this right with her.
It only takes a few minutes to get to our destination. I pull off to the side of the road before putting the car in park and turn towards her.
“You ready?”
She looks around, obviously seeing nothing but tall thick trees and highway.
“Uh, for what?”
I jump out of the car and stroll around to her side so that I can open her door. I offer her my hand and she takes it as she climbs out. She looks around skeptically before turning back to me.
“Come on,” I say tugging her hand.
I lead us down the side of the road for a few hundred feet until I find the tree that I marked years ago. I am about to start tugging her down the wooded path when I realize that she is wearing ridiculously high heels. I bend down slightly and offer her my back before I look over my shoulder at her.
“Need a lift?”
She shrugs and without any warning, jumps onto my back, almost taking us both down in the process. I stabilize us after a second and look back at her with a surprised expression. She is choking back a giggle as she loops her arms around my neck.
“As graceful as a swan,” I joke.
That earns me a full bellied laugh that makes my heart jump out of my chest for a moment. I almost forgot how much I love to hear her laugh. I walk us through the brush, being careful to move branches out of the way so that they don’t scratch her. After a little, we finally make it to firmer ground when I slip her off my back, committing to memory how great her toned body felt wrapped around me.
When I look down at her, she is staring up at me like I have lost my mind.
“Close your eyes. I want to show you something.” She raises her eyebrows in a ‘yeah right’ motion. So, I decide to tack on, “Please.”
She huffs out a quick breath before she closes her eyes. Then I take hold of her hand, lacing our fingers together as I lead her past the brush and to the clearing. I position her just right and stand back where I will be able to see her reaction.
“Okay, open.”
At first, she looks confused but then when she takes in our surroundings, she gives me the most breathtaking smile I have ever seen. Her eyes widen in awe and the look of appreciation she gives my special place makes my heart constrict. Fuck she is so beautiful, it’s not even fair.
“What is this place?” She asks, amazement shining in her captivating turquoise eyes.
I get it. I felt the same way the first time I saw it too. The 30ft waterfall is cascading over the rock edge that surrounds the swimming hole. The water shimmers in the moonlight and the forest around us makes it feel like we are the only people in the world.
“It’s where I come to think. My mom discovered this place one day by accident. Ever since I was a little kid she would bring me out here. This is where we had all of the important talks in my life. Like when she lectured me about girls, or when I asked where my dad was and…this was just our special place, I guess.”
I let out a slow breath before continuing.
“This is the one place in the world where I feel truly at peace. Where I can remember clearly the words that my mother and I spoke about when she told me about the man that she wanted me to grow up to be. Anyways, I wanted to bring you here because I think we are well past due an important talk.”
Aubrey looks out over the water, letting my words hang for a moment before she quietly speaks.
“About what?”
I give her a ‘you know what’ look before I take her hand in mine and lead her over to the rock that my mom and I used to sit at. I have never felt so vulnerable in all my life, but if there was ever a time to open up to another person, it is now. Bree turns to me, seemingly waiting for me to start talking. I clear my throat once, twice, three times, trying to buy myself some time and come up with the perfect words to say. Finally, I decide that I don’t need to give her pretty words, she just needs the truth, no bullshit.
“Bree, I like you. I really fucking like you. I think that I have since the night you basically told me to fuck off for beating the shit out of that creep outside of The White Oak. I knew from that first second that you were different. Then I got to know you more and even though you infuriated the fuck out of me, I liked you that much more. You didn’t take any of my shit, or anyone else’s for that matter.”
She lets out a short snort at that and I grin at her before pressing on.
“There has always been something about you that I’ve felt drawn to, and it scared the shit out of me for a while, still does, honestly. So, I tried to tell myself that you were just another girl, that what I was feeling was lust not…something more. I tried not to think about you. Even tried to hook up with other girls just to get you out of my head.”
She winces at that omission, and I kick myself for being so stupid. No one could ever compare to her.
“I haven’t opened myself up to anyone since my mom died. I loved her more than anything in the world and she left me, not by choice but she is gone all the same and it damn near killed me. I know that I could never live through a second heartbreak like that, so I took my heart out of everything. I pushed everything down and built-up walls so tall that no one could ever climb them.” I pull my lip through my teeth and look down at the ground. This baring your soul shit is harder than it seems.
“The point is, I’ve never had a problem living my life like that, until I met you. I spent so much time trying to fight what I feel for you that when I was finally ready to tell you how I feel, you were going away with Cole. I gotta tell you, that fucking sucked.” I let out a sharp humorless laugh and shake my head.
“The idea of you with anyone but me, it drives me fucking crazy. It makes me fucking murderous. I-” I pause for a second, noticing how my hands have turned to fists as my teeth are practically bared while I speak. Blowing out a deep breath I shake my head before I look back up to her.
“So, I guess what I am trying to say is…give me a shot, give us a shot. Let me show you that I can be more than the detached asshole that I am with everyone else, that I can be the man my mom would be proud of, a man that you would be proud of.”
I watch her carefully, but she doesn’t react. She doesn’t speak, she doesn’t move. She is just…frozen. My stomach is twisting with nerves and my knee is bouncing wildly.
How can she have nothing to say after all of that?
“A shot?” She asks curiously.
I nod and swallow.
“To show you how good we can be. How well I can treat you. I want a shot at calling you mine.”
A soft smile spreads across her face.
“I would like that,” she says as a slight blush blooms over her cheeks.
I feel like a hundred pounds have been lifted from my shoulders and it’s like I can finally breathe for the first time in what seems like weeks. I let out a huge breath and wrap her up into a hug, smiling into her hair before inhaling. Fuck. I have missed the smell of her. I pull back realizing she has some explaining to do, though.
“So, you said you and Cole are complicated.”
She nods slowly as she turns to look back out over the water. I pull her face gently back towards me.
“Un-complicate it.”
My tone brokers no argument, and she must be able to tell because she blows out a breath and runs a hand through her silky hair as she nods.
“Cole told me that he loved me-”
“Yeah, no shit,” I huff, my tone bitter. “Anyone can see that, baby. Except maybe you.”
She rolls her eyes at my attitude and continues.
“He wants us to be together. He is my best friend and really wonderful and-” I cut her off
“So why aren’t you together?” I snap. I can’t listen to her mooning over him for another second without flipping the fuck out.
“If you would let me finish a fucking sentence maybe you would know, asshole,” she huffs throwing me an irritated glare. I sweep my hand out for her to continue.
“He isn’t you.”
My heart stalls for a second. Damn, I didn’t see that coming. The troubled look in her eyes tells me that I shouldn’t start celebrating just yet though.
“Did you tell him that?” I ask.
“He already knew apparently. I told him that we were better off as friends but I don’t think he really accepted it. He said that he wasn’t giving up on me. I have been avoiding him since then.”
