Fixing Fate: A Pleasant Valley Novel Read online

  After she situates herself next to me, she pulls the waistband down to my knees, and uses both of her hands, one on top of the other to stroke me.

  “Goddamn, Mellie.” A pearly white bead of moisture leaks out of the tip, and she leans down and swipes it with her tongue.

  She looks up and smiles at me. “Not nearly as bad as I thought it would be.”

  I laugh, and thrust my hips up, urging her on; I have never been this hard in my damn life. “This is fucking awesome, and I’ve never felt anything better than your fingers wrapped around my cock, but if you don’t make me come, I think my balls are gonna fall off.”

  She drops her head so her hair falls forward, shielding her face from me. Not only did I just lose her eyes, but I also lost her hands.

  “Don’t hide from me.”

  She tucks some strands behind her ears and looks at me through heavy lashes. “I don’t know how to do that.”

  I fall back and lick my lips. “Just keep doing what you’re doing. Only a little harder and a little faster.” It won’t take much. She could probably blow on my dick, and I’d come hard as hell.

  With a small nod, she takes a deep breath and squeezes me harder and faster.

  “Faster,” I growl.

  She hesitates, and I pin her with a heated gaze. “Trust me, you can’t hurt me. Faster, Mellie.” She does as I ask, and her hesitation fades away. Her tongue darts out, and I feel my entire body tightening. “You’re getting me closer, baby. So hot. My pretty girl, making me come with just her hand. Fuuuck.”

  She looks down just in time to see those streams of pearly white land on my flexing abdominals. I can’t remember the last time my damn legs shook from an orgasm. This girl’s got me all kinds of twisted. After a second, she lets me go, and I pull her down by the neck for a quick peck.

  “Thanks, babe.”

  She laughs. “Thank you.”

  “Wanna go take a quick shower?”

  “Together?”

  “Yeah. You don’t have to if you—”

  “Okay.”

  “Give me a second.” I kick off my boxers and use them to wipe my stomach, then take her hand and walk to the bathroom. As she’s tying up her hair, I turn the water on and get in, holding the curtain open for her.

  She steps in, and I pull her under the waterfall, letting the warm water slide down her back. Her arms wrap around my waist, and we just stand like this for a while. I think we both need a minute to process. It’s not that I didn’t know how good things would be with her; it’s that I didn’t expect them to exceed my expectations. Everything about her amazes me. Her strength, her humor, her passion. I’m in way deep... deeper than I ever thought I’d be with anyone.

  “Where’d your piercings go?”

  Her question tears through my thoughts. “Took them out. Don’t need or want anything else but you.”

  “That’s sweet.”

  “You’re sweeter, Mellie. So sweet I can hardly stand it... you do things to me, baby.”

  She smiles shyly and kisses my chest.

  We finally wash our bodies and step out. I grab a fresh pair of briefs, and she grabs an old t-shirt of mine to slip on as we crawl into bed and pass out.

  * * *

  My security system beeps, and I shoot out of bed just as it stops. Mellie’s still sleeping, but I have to wake her up. “Mellie baby, wake up,” I whisper as I pull on a pair of jeans. She stirs, and it kills me that she’s smiling in her dream and I’m about to ruin that.

  I shake her, and her eyes fly open. “Someone’s here. Do not leave this room.” She barely registers what I say before I grab my gun out of the drawer and close my bedroom door behind me. I hear a bang downstairs, and I tiptoe, avoiding the spots I know creak on the steps.

  There’s another noise... sounds like a chair screeching, and then it’s silent. More anger than fear fuels me to keep going and finally put a stop to the fucker who dares to come in my house and threaten my woman. I continue creeping and find the kitchen empty, except for a bag thrown on the back of a chair. What the fuck? Just as I’m rounding the corner, a shadow appears, and I train my gun on it, releasing the safety.

  When the figure rounds the corner, he screams. “Fuck, man.”

  “Jesus, Erik.” I put the safety back on and tuck the cold metal into the back of my jeans. “What the hell are you doing creeping around in the middle of the night?”

  He sways a little bit, and I curse under my breath. “You’re drinking again?”

  It kills me to see him this way. I’ve tried so many times to help him, but he’s not ready to help himself, so I try to be there for him as much as possible. He’s been on and off the wagon for years now, and though he doesn’t live in town anymore, he shows up randomly.

  “Sorry to wake you. I just needed a place to crash.”

  “I almost shot you in the head, asshole. Should have never given you my damn code.”

  “Smith?”

  I turn and hold an arm out for Mellie, and she tucks herself right next to me.

  “I told you not to move,” I say into her ear.

  “I know, but I heard you talking.”

  “Who’s this little thing?” Erik slurs and steps toward us.

  Mellie stiffens. “This is Mellie. She’s off-fuckin’-limits to you. Got me?” I stare him down, and even though he’s wasted, he gets my message. The last thing I want is for her to be uncomfortable around him. If Erik is anything, he’s a player and a womanizer who he tends to be a little aggressive with his come-ons.

  “Hi.” She gives a little wave. “I’m going to go back to bed.”

  “’Kay, baby. I’ll be up shortly.”

  Erik cranes his neck, and when she’s out of view, I punch him in the gut. “Ugh. Damn, man. What the fuck?”

  “Don’t. Whatever the hell you’re thinking. Don’t. Especially with her.”

  “Can I stay here for a few days?”

  I never hesitate when he just pops in, but with Mellie here, I’m not sure it’s the best thing. “Only a day or two, man.”

  “Got it. Thanks. I’m gonna crash, all right?”

  “Yup. You know where everything is.”

  I head upstairs, and when I close my door behind me, Mellie sits up. “Everything okay?”

  “Yeah.” I put the gun back away and take my jeans off then crawl in next to my girl. “I’ll explain more later, but he’s my best friend who suffers from an alcohol addiction. He’ll probably be here for a few days if that’s okay with you.”

  “Yeah, of course. I’ll get my things out of the guest room tomorrow.”

  “I’m so tired. Get some sleep, and we’ll talk in the morning.”

  Without answering, she falls asleep, and I must follow her shortly after because the next thing I know, I wake to the smell of bacon.

  Chapter 16

  Mellie

  I don’t sleep well after being woken up by Smith, so when the sun rises, I get up, put some clothes on, and go downstairs. I’m surprised to see his friend... Erik already awake and watching TV in the living room.

  “Morning.” He stands and walks into the kitchen.

  “Hi. I was just going to make breakfast. Are you hungry?”

  “Yeah. Starved.”

  I open the cupboard and take down a box of blueberry muffin mix. “I’ve been dying to make these.”

  “Sounds great.”

  I set about getting the rest of the ingredients, and while doing so, an awkward silence hangs between us. I’m glad he’s messing around on his phone. I’ve never been good at small talk, and I soon regret not waiting for Smith. Although, in my defense, I thought Erik would still be asleep. Once I finish putting the muffins in the oven, I notice Mouse walking down the stairs. I smile at her, and Erik looks where I’m looking.

  “Is that a Persian?”

  I make kissy noises, and she comes running so I can pick her up. “Yes. This is Mouse.”

  “My grandma had three Persians.” He steps into my space
and scratches her head. “She’s cute.”

  “I’m glad someone else thinks so.”

  “Smith’s not a fan, huh?”

  “No. But I see him pet her when I’m not looking. I think she’s growing on him.” I set her down and grab her food bowl to fill up.

  “So how did you guys meet?” Erik asks as he sits back down.

  I start a pot of coffee. “My grandpa left me a house, and Smith is remodeling it. He was my brother’s ex-partner back in Chicago.”

  “Oh yeah? What’s your brother’s name?”

  “Jay.”

  “I remember him. I never met him, but Smith talked about him a bit.”

  “Yup, it was a while ago, I barely remember Jay talking about Smith.”

  Erik chuckles. “Getting old sucks.”

  I laugh as well, but decide to skip the little detail of my age. “So, the house. Since there was so much work to be done, I was just planning to stay in town for a couple of months until the remodeling was finished and the house was sold.”

  “You’re staying a lot longer than that.” Smith’s voice makes me jump.

  “Crap.” I hold a hand over my heart. “You’ve gotta stop sneaking up on me like that.”

  “Sorry.” He kisses the top of my head, and then he and Erik do that fist-bump thing. “What are you up to today?” he asks Erik.

  “Nothin’, man. I’m just hangin’ out for a while. What about you guys?”

  “We’re headed to the house. Luckily, we’re ahead of schedule, so today we start laying the floors.”

  “Need help?”

  “Thanks. But I’ve got my guys on the insurance, and if you come, it takes away from their paychecks.” Smith’s arm around me tightens, but his facial expression and voice stay the same. Interesting.

  “It’s cool.”

  Sensing Smith doesn’t want Erik there, I change the subject. “You said you were friends? How did you guys meet?” When they both look at each other but neither answers, I shift nervously on my feet.

  The oven timer goes off just in the nick of time—thank you, Lord—and I grab the oven mitt to pull them out.

  “Smells good, sunshine.”

  “I hope they taste as good. I’m starving.”

  “Worked up an appetite last night, huh?” Erik says.

  “Fuck off, idiot.” Smith laughs, and I try to hide my total embarrassment by pouring coffee and setting out plates and the butter dish.

  “They’ll be good to go in a minute after they cool. I’m going to go get ready, okay?” I smile as I walk away, and as soon as I get upstairs, I go directly to the master bathroom.

  Closing the door behind me, I lean against it and try to catch my breath. I’m not used to all of this... this stuff and certainly not this banter. Any time I even tried to equate anything sexual to myself, I felt nauseous. This is good, though. I’m not nearly as freaked out as I thought I would be in a situation like this. After one last long inhale followed by an equally long exhale, I step into the shower with a smile on my face. I’m damn proud of myself for how far I’ve come in such a short while.

  The curtain rips open, and I scream. “Dammit, Smith!”

  He’s already naked and hard. His stupid handsome face is trying not to laugh, so I splash some water on him. He shakes his head and steps in. “That’s the best you got?”

  “My options are kind of slim in here, honey. I mean unless you want me to squirt some soap in your eye.”

  “Nah.” He crowds me into the corner, and when I hit the small bench, I’m left with no choice but to sit on it. “You didn’t eat, and I’m starved this morning.”

  “I was going to when I got out of the shower.”

  He kneels down and presses his lips against my neck then slides them down. “Hmm.” He hums against my collarbone as he kisses his way across it. “I don’t want to wait that long. Think there’s something you can offer me in the meantime to fill me up?”

  My core clenches at his words. Words I never thought anyone would say to me. Words I have such a visceral reaction to it scares me a little, because when he talks like that, I forget everything else in the world.

  “You okay if I eat your pussy right now?”

  I can’t even swallow right now, how does he expect me to reply? My head becomes a bobble figure as I nod my answer.

  He pulls me forward, lifting my legs so my calves are resting on his shoulder. When his mouth closes over me, I suppress the moan that’s dying to come out. He shifts his body and slides two fingers into me but doesn’t move them in and out like he did yesterday.

  With his head turned to the side, his tongue flicks rapidly at my clit, and warmth spreads through my veins, hotter than the steam filling the bathroom. When he curls his fingers inside me, I almost slide off the bench. “Oh, my God.”

  His lips curl up in a smile, but he doesn’t slow down the magic he’s performing with his tongue. He speeds up all of his movements and a bolt of lightning hits me. I shatter as the electric current courses through my body. I can’t help the scream that falls from my mouth. “Holy shit!”

  He uses both of his hands to spread me open. Flattening his tongue, he runs it through my folds and I push his head away. “Too sensitive,” I pant.

  He kisses up my stomach and nibbles around my breasts before sucking on my neck as he makes his way back up. With his lips a breath away from mine, he whispers, “Delicious.”

  For a moment, I contemplate whether he’d think it gross if I kissed him right now. But he slams his lips to mine, and I moan as I taste myself on his tongue. Something’s unbelievably erotic about it, taboo, almost. I’m discovering so much about myself. And one big thing is I like sex. Well, I freaking love all the stuff leading to it so far. I can’t even imagine what it’ll feel like when he finally gets inside me.

  I pull my mouth away from his. “Switch.”

  “What?”

  “Switch. Sit down.”

  “You don’t have to, Mellie. I fuckin’ love goin’ down on you, could eat your pretty pink pussy for hours and still not get enough.”

  “I want to.”

  He kisses my cheek and then stands and holds out his hands for me to take. I switch places with him and drop to my knees. His dick is staring at me, practically pointing, begging. I don’t have any hesitation when I grab it this time.

  Do it, Mellie. Just do it. Right before I suck him into my mouth, I lick my lips and go for it. I start with just the tip and swallow when his salty flavor slides onto my tongue.

  His fingers glide against my scalp and the gentle tug he gives me encourages me to continue. I suck him deeper and slide my hand down along with my mouth. I can’t believe how turned on I am from doing this to him.

  “Your mouth feels like heaven, baby.”

  I hum against him—my way of agreeing this is in fact, heavenly—and he tightens his hands in my wet hair.

  “Fuck.”

  I absolutely love that he likes this. I was afraid that I’d do it wrong and embarrass myself, but it feels natural. Kind of like eating a Popsicle. I remember he liked it when I did it hard and fast last time, so I speed it up and squeeze him tighter.

  “Goddamn.” He moves my head as he thrusts up, using my mouth as he pleases. He’s restraining himself; I can tell by how tight his thigh muscles are. I want him to let go. I reach up and gently cup his balls. “I’m about to come, baby. Fuuuck!”

  He yanks my head back and brings his hand to his dick, stroking himself a few times before he comes. The warm streams of cum land on my chest, and when he’s finished, he sits in front of me on the floor of the shower and pulls me onto his lap.

  “That was amazing,” he says right before he kisses me. The gentle swipe of his lips in such a loving gesture makes me freaking swoon. Now I know what these heroines in the books feel. My heart is so full, and I can’t remember a time I was this damn happy.

  “It was. Thank you for making it so easy.”

  “Love is easy, baby.”

&nb
sp; * * *

  “You ready to go?” Smith wraps his arms around me from behind and kisses my neck.

  I’ve been editing all day, and despite staring at my screen for nine hours, I barely got any work done. Between the hammering and laughing, Smith came over and interrupted me every twenty minutes.

  “Yes.” I sigh and slam my laptop shut.

  He turns me around and bends down a little to be level with me. “Everything okay?”

  “Yup.” I kiss his nose and grab my stuff.

  We drive home and like usual, sit in silence. It’s not at all awkward, though; nothing between us has been, aside from my insecurities. He comes around to open my door, and after he closes it behind me, he presses me against it. “We’ve been surrounded by people all day and won’t get to go inside to an empty house, so I’m going to do what I’ve been dying to do all damn day.”

  He brushes the stray hair off my face, cups my cheeks in his hands, and leans down to kiss me. He works his mouth against mine, and instantly, the stress I was feeling fades away, replaced with desire. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him close. After several minutes go by, we reluctantly pull apart, and he steps away.

  I hitch my bag over my shoulder, and he pushes open the garage door for me to enter the house first. When I get in the kitchen, I’m expecting to see Erik, but he’s nowhere around. We walk around the house, and Smith even goes in Erik’s room. “He didn’t let you know he was going anywhere?”

  Smith pulls out his phone and puts it to his ear. After a few seconds, he tucks it back into his jeans pocket. “Didn’t answer. He’s probably just out. His stuff is still here, so he’ll be back.”

  “Okay.” We walk into the bedroom, where Smith takes his clothes off. “What do you want to eat for dinner?”

  “Don’t really care. It’s late already, so if you want to order something, that’s cool.”

  “Okay. What about pizza? That way there will be leftovers if Erik wants to eat.”

  “Sure.” He tosses his wallet at me. “Use my card.”

  I roll my eyes but take it anyway. Mouse winds herself around my ankles as I order the pizza and get her food ready. While I’m waiting for Smith and the delivery, I straighten the living room. Erik must have spent some time here because a couple of empty water bottles and some wrappers litter the area. Plus, the blankets I had folded nicely on the back of the couch are all messed up.