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  I smile at Leo.

  A devilish grin appears on his face as he comments, “Odd seeing you here tonight, Paige. Jake let you leave the nest.”

  Okay, this is weird.

  “He didn’t let me do anything. I came of my own free will.”

  “Interesting. But really, why are you here?”

  “Why all the questions?”

  “You never come to any parties that Del and Greg hold. Why now?”

  “Maybe because I wanted to get away.”

  “Doubt it.”

  “What is your problem?”

  “You being here is my problem.”

  The group of friends watches the spectacle unravel in front of them. He is being a dick. I get that he is angry with me, but why pick a fight in front of our friends. It is fucking immature.

  His lovely partner in crime starts to laugh at his behavior. Britnee diverts the attention from me to Steponowski. She asks, “Hey, Steph, did you play basketball?”

  It is so random it caught everybody off guard and they turn their heads to stare at Steponowski and her.

  Steph tilts her head and squints her eyes. She defends herself, “Since I am tall and a lesbian, that makes you think I played basketball?”

  Britnee and I look at each other perplexed. Well, that was a pleasantly correct assumption on my part. She is a lesbian. Then, why the hell is she here?

  Britnee answers, “Erm, no! You just look athletic and are tall. If you didn’t play basketball, did you play volleyball? I can see someone like you being good on the court.”

  Gotta love the innocence of Britnee. This she-man is ready to go off on my friend, but she turns everything around and compliments her.

  Steponowski pauses for a second. Her cheeks turn rosy pink, she smiles, “I played basketball in college. Full ride.”

  Britnee jokes, “Ha, I knew it.”

  We all laugh at the attention breaker. Brit is amazing for that. She knows how to turn a situation around in the blink of an eye. I look over at Leo and his smile fades away as our eyes meet.

  In the background, I can hear some bickering. I can’t quite make out what is being said but the tones are full of anger. It is Del and Greg. I wonder what they are fighting about. Who the hell knows with those two? They tend to fight on purpose for the whole idea of make-up sex. Crazy kids.

  Del stomps over to the fire pit. She plops down next to me. I look at her and she shakes her head in frustration. Something big is up, I sense a girl chat happening really soon.

  Greg soon follows over, but he sits next to Leo. His eyes are shooting daggers at Del. Tension fills the air surrounding us. A shiver runs up my spine. An eerie feeling brews in my stomach. Something is about to go down.

  All of a sudden, Greg gets up and walks his way to where Del and I are sitting. She turns her head toward me, ignoring Greg. It is like a scene from a romance movie, he gets down on one knee with fire flaming behind him. Oh shit, I can’t believe this about to go down.

  He says, “Del, look at me.”

  She continues not to face him even though he is about to propose to her. Why is she acting like this?

  As he grabs her hand resting on her lap, he continues, “Delilah, please look at me. This is important. There is a reason I got all our friends together this weekend.”

  This catches her attention and she turns her head toward him. She answers, “What?”

  “Delilah Marie Green, will you marry me? This is why.”

  She moves her hand fast from his grasp. As of right now, she has not spoken a word. Greg continues to look at her. We are all staring at Del. I notice her eyes start to glisten like she is ready to cry her eyes out. Still, nothing from her.

  He asks again, “Del, will you please say something.”

  I nudge her with my elbow, hoping to awaken her from the trance she is in. It worked. She gets up from her seat and pushes Greg to the side. Greg falls to the pavement and quickly walks by him. Like a ninja, Greg quickly gets to his feet to follow her. The entire group watches as this shit show continues to unravel in front of us. Greg grabs Del’s arm, turning her around.

  She screams, “No, I will not marry you. You know how I feel about marriage.”

  I look around at the group, their eyes are focused on Del and Greg. If shock had a look right now, it would be their eyes bugging out and mouths wide open. I stand up and look at Britnee. She gets up as well.

  Greg yells back, “Del, I told you I’m not like him. You have nothing to be scared of.”

  What the fuck?

  Del screams again, “Fuck off, Greg. Leave me alone.” She storms into the cabin, slamming the door behind her.

  I love my friend with all my heart and soul but she can be a bit dramatic at times. But this I somewhat understand. Her ugly past has caused nothing but heartache for her future. To love again, to be loved again. Karrie, Britnee and I know of her past. Us three, run to follow Del into the cabin pushing past Greg.

  When we arrive at the cabin, we look around. We see Del sitting on the couch with her head in her hands crying. Karrie is the first one to Del. She wraps her arms around our sobbing friend. Britnee sits to the opposite side of Del from Karrie. I kneel down in front of Del.

  She looks up at me and blubbers, “Why can’t I get past what my ex-husband did to me?”

  There it is. The secret that only a few people know about.

  Calmly, I say, “Del, because it is something that is hard to get past. But Greg loves you and he is not your ex. He won’t hurt you like that.”

  She cries, “I know he loves me. I love him very much.”

  Britnee interrupts, “Your ex didn’t deserve the ground you walked on.”

  Del cries out again, “I know. But he haunts me.”

  In Karrie’s new motherly tone, “He is no longer here. That asshole was a sociopath.”

  Del rubs her eyes. “Greg knows everything. About the baby, the attempted murder and then suicide.”

  I look at Del. “That is good. That is a good sign you can trust him with your heart. You let him know the demons that keep you up at night.”

  Del rubs her pink-stained eyes. “What if he wants children? Every married couple wants children. I am not sure I can handle it.”

  Tears start to form in my eyes. The death of her baby has not only left her heart empty but she has a scar she looks at every day, knowing her ex-husband who beat her so unrecognizably bad when he attempted to kill her, instead killed their son. The asshole kicked her numerous times in the stomach. She had to birth him a stillborn. Del was only twenty years old when she lost her son and then lost her abusive husband to suicide. Her ex was crazy. She has experienced a lot in a short amount of time.

  I look at Del. “Delilah, you will have to take it one day at a time. Greg knows your past. He is embracing it. If he didn’t love you like he does, he wouldn’t be asking you to marry him. He wants to be with you that bad.”

  Britnee comments, “Consider marrying him. You love him. Don’t let that asshole from your past continue to keep you from being happy and living the life you deserve.”

  Karrie agrees, “You deserve the world. Greg could give you that world. Once you see that, then talk children. You know he will wait.”

  A smile appears on her oval face. She smiles, “You girls are amazing. Thank you.”

  Karrie says, “We are here for you.”

  Del grins, “I know.” She wipes more tears away. “Crying makes me thirsty.”

  I get up and say, “I can get you something to drink. Water okay?”

  She nods her head and I head to the kitchen.

  Chapter 5

  After I get Del something a drink, I stroll back to the kitchen to get myself a cup of coffee. It is the only thing that sounds good at this moment. I hate seeing my friend like that. I just hope and pray she realizes what she has in front of her. Greg is absolutely smitten with her. They will work it out. At least, I hope.

  The strong coffee aroma fills the kitchen as I
grab a cup from the cupboard. I wait patiently for the coffee maker to finish. The door from outside flings open and in walks Leo. His face is constantly looking angry these days. I know things went down with Del and Greg but why is he so mad. His head turns in my direction. He gazes at me with fury.

  Here I go. I boldly ask, “What the hell is your problem?”

  He takes a deep breath in before he unleashes on me. “You are my fucking problem.”

  “How in the hell is that? I’m here with my friends. Just like you.”

  “I haven’t seen you in six months. And now you are showing up everywhere. Why?”

  “Do I need to give you a reason why?”

  “Yes! It is fucking with my head.”

  I sigh, “Are you serious? Me being here has nothing to do with you. Get over yourself.”

  “Really? Explain to me how you are showing up all of a sudden to these get-togethers.”

  I come close to him. My blue eyes looking into his emerald eyes that have fire behind them. We are face to face. My voice becomes calm. “Please, stop.”

  “You’re a bitch.”

  Well, that was uncalled for.

  “Excuse me. Well, you are being a prick.” My hand winds up to slap him across the face but he stops in mid-air. I blankly stare at him. Both our breaths heavy. Goddam it. He is intense right now and it is fucking turning me on. I push him. His body backs against the wall as I lay my lips on his. I pretty much lose all my inhibitions of being a good girl.

  Leo doesn’t back down from my kiss. He competes back, shoving his tongue down my throat, practically touching my tonsil. His arms wrap around my waist, putting my body harder on his. So hard, I feel the poke coming up from under his pants. It is about to go down. Our tongues forcefully intertwined with each other, causing me to lose my breath. I push off of him, panting like a dehydrated dog.

  We stare into each other’s eyes with anger yet passion.

  He demands, “Upstairs, now! My room.”

  My inner whore kicked in and I happily agreed, “Okay.”

  Unfortunately, before going upstairs to his room, I have to walk past my grief-stricken friend and the other two. How am I going to play this off? I guess we are trying to make this inconspicuous. Del, Karrie, and Brit are talking when I creep through the living area. Slowly trying not to make a noise as I head to the stairs, but the floor creeks. Damn.

  Del looks at me and asks, “Where you going?”

  I fumble my answer. “I, um…I am not feeling well. The alcohol is causing my stomach to hurt.”

  She rolls her eyes at me. “Go figure. Maybe you shouldn’t eat so much roughage when you drink.”

  I squint and shake my head at her. “Ha, Ha. Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m better. Just go upstairs. I will see you in the morning, okay.”

  I didn’t hesitate too much. I sprinted up the stairs to his room, our room.

  When I walk into the room, I realize very little has changed about this room. It is still all white antique-like with a hint of gray lace. Pristine to be exact. I stroll over to bed and sit down. I wait and wait for Leo to show up. It was only a few minutes but felt like hours.

  Finally, he storms in looking directly at me. He starts to unbutton his dress shirt exposing his oh so gorgeous chiseled chest. There is no doubt in my mind he has been hitting the gym. His six pack slender abs are way more prominent now. Next, he pushes his pants down, exposing that lovely, pleasure V.

  Holy Shit! I’m going to cream myself.

  He demands, “Get naked now.”

  It is time to play.

  I answer, “I see you’re still bossy.”

  “Paige, do as I say.”

  I grin, “Yes, master.”

  I stand up from his bed and slowly take off each article of clothing. He is all Speedy Gonzales while I am taking my sweet time. His eyes are still locked on mine, screaming desire and rage.

  Once I am done undressing, he comes at me like I am his prey, ready to feast on my body. His lips smash against mine, forcing my body to fall onto the bed. His body touching mine, pushing us further up the bed. His rock hard cock pressing up against my naked pussy. I wrap my legs around his waist, trying my hardest to get him to enter me. I want this man so damn bad.

  He shoves my legs off his waist. Breathing heavy, I look at him confused.

  “Just wait. I need to get a rubber,” he whispers.

  I demand, “Hurry up.”

  He smirks, “Just you wait.”

  I watch as he walks to the dresser and opens the top drawer. He grabs the condom and slips it on his fully ready to pound me cock.

  He struts toward me before getting above me. Once again, Leo slams his lips on mine. Then in a single thrust, his cock fills me deeply. Our kisses are sloppy and rough. Leo is about to take whatever anger he has toward me and punish me with his cock. And I can’t wait. His hips move fast and powerful. Moans seep from my mouth. Leo leans up from my body. He orders, “Wrap your legs around me.”

  I happily oblige.

  His cock slips into me like it is the perfect fit. More powerful thrusts damage my insides. He is rough and heavy. I moan in gratification. He grunts, “You like me fucking you like this?”

  My body is rocking and I am blissfully moaning. I couldn’t answer him.

  “Paige, answer me. If you don’t, I’m pulling out.”

  Oh hell no.

  I whimper, “Yes, harder.”

  Leo pulls out. I look at him dazed and confused. Before I could complain about it, he flips me over on my stomach and lifts my ass up toward him. Then bam. His cock slams back into me. My insides start to tingle. I am going to cum soon, very soon. The harder he pushes, the harder it is for me not to let go. I don’t want to let go. I want to enjoy every minute of him inside me, fucking the living shit out of me. His hand creeps toward the front of my sex. A finger sneaks against my clit. Leo massages it with his magical finger. I can’t hold it anymore. The tingles turn into an overwhelming sensation that no words can describe.

  Leo demands, “Cum for me, baby.”

  And that is all it takes for me to be sent over the edge, falling to my orgasm. I scream, “Oh my God, Leo.”

  He hammers harder as I spaz all around him. He grunts, “Paige…”

  Holy fucking moly.

  ***

  There is only one way to describe last night. Hot, raging sex that went on several times throughout the evening. Leo had something to prove last night and that was how furious he was with me. Yet, he couldn’t control his hunger for me either. I couldn’t control myself with him. Whatever way he wanted to bend, I bent. There was no fight. It was all “yes, sir.”

  Despite how great I feel in this moment, guilt is washing over me. I cheated on my boyfriend, but I do not regret it. The last time I felt this alive was when I was with Leo. He ignited what I had been lacking with Jake. Desire. Want. Need. Satisfaction. I miss this. Looking at Leo lying next to me, I realize how much I miss him. Even though, in the beginning, our relationship went from purely sexual to all the feels. It was the attraction that brought us together. The sex, that kept us. The feelings still continue to linger even six months later. I felt every bit of that last night when he fucked me from behind. The sex was rough and filthy. He was in control and was angry. Livid at what I did to him. Choosing Jake over him. Last night was an eye-opener for me. Leo gave me something more than Jake has ever given me. The look of hunger filled with intensity and admiration. He.Wanted.Me. And I wanted him.

  I curl up next to Leo’s heated body. Leo shifts toward me and wraps an arm around me. The smell of last night’s sex emanates from his body. I want him again and again. I shouldn’t be feeling like this but this is what he does to me. God, I miss him. I miss being in his arms and feeling secure like this.

  I must end it with Jake.

  I must get Leo back.

  What the fuck am I thinking? I just cheated on my boyfriend. The one I chose over Leo. I cheated with Leo.

 
The realization is taking over my body. I start to squirm. Leo groans of tiredness. His hold on me becomes tighter. I whisper, “Leo. Leo.”

  His eyes flutter open. “Yeah.”

  “Do you realize what happened last night?”

  He muffles, “I fucked your brains out.”

  In agreement, I say “I guess you can say that.”

  “Paige, don’t overthink this? It was just sex.”

  “You really think it was just sex?”

  He lets go of me and crawls out of bed. He grabs his boxers and a t-shirt and puts them on. “Yep.”

  “Wow.”

  “It was fun, but maybe, next time, try not to make it so easy.”

  Anger was creeping up within me. “You’re an asshole.”

  “An asshole whom you enjoyed having manhandled you.”

  Trying to hold back my emotions, I angrily get out of bed and grab my clothes off the floor. I quickly put them on. “You’re a fucking prick, you know that?”

  “Yep. And you enjoyed this prick last night.”

  “I can’t believe you.”

  “You can leave now.”

  Beyond pissed off, I walk out of his room, slamming the door.

  I stomp down the hallway to mine and Britnee’s room. When I open the door, to my surprise, I see Britnee and Steponowski sleeping on the queen bed together. Well, not just sleeping but curled up next to each other.

  This is weird.

  I quietly scurry to our bathroom to take a shower. I hope by the time I get out of the shower, Steponowski will be gone. I need to ask Britnee what is up and to talk about my new dilemma.