Bereft (Seven Year Itch #2)(49)

Tears were forming in my eyes. It was like Chad already knew who I’d want to be with in the long run, so he was letting me go. I wanted him to fight for me, for what was happening between us, but he wouldn’t budge. Chad seemed like he couldn’t care less about me going to be alone with Grayson, almost as if he expected me to fall back in love with him. It hurt me, because for the past month I’d spent every waking second imagining a life with him. Now I didn’t know where my heart would take me, and that scared the shit out of me.

I fastened my hand around his tie and pulled him close to me, my lips dragging over his as I spoke. “Give me a reason to stay. Tell me not to go. Tell me you want me for yourself.”

“We don’t have time to get into this. You need to leave from here. He’s already waiting for you.”

I kissed him once again, this time with enough intent to make him reconsider. “I’m sure we can be quick. Don’t you want me?”

“Rach, you’re playing with fire. This will only complicate things.”

I shoved him hard against the cement walls of the stairwell. “Don’t make me beg, Chad.” I slipped my blazer off, tossing it onto the hard stone floor beneath me. My hands went for his trousers, determined to unbutton them. He pulled me closer, flicking his tongue on my bottom lip before taking my mouth for a lustful ride. We were too engulfed to consider being discovered. I wouldn’t have cared. Chad was going to take me in the stairwell, and I was prepared to let him. “Don’t stop,” I begged.

I freed his erection, keeping one hand firm around his girth. He picked me up, spinning us around until my back was pressed against the wall. My skirt was shoved higher, and my panties off to the side, exposing my *. “Is this what you want? You want to be a bad girl?”

I nodded and teased his tongue with mine. “I want to f*ck, right here, right now.”

He entered me, forcing his way inside my tight walls. My hold weakened as the engulfment of sensations rushed over me. I bellowed out his name as he forcefully thrust. “Don’t stop.”

“Your *’s soaked, Rach. I’m going to come fast.”

I wanted him to. I wanted to feel him tightening and losing control. It’s how I wanted to think about him when I was away. I needed to know he wasn’t going to go out and replace me, because without him I’d be lost and overwhelmed with remorse. Chad took the pain away, again and again.

“Harder. Slam into me. Show me how you like it, Chad. Show me how you come.”

He lost it. Those few words helped it happen quick. He let his hold relax and I felt my feet hitting the ground. His heavy breathing was tucked against my neck. He kissed me there, slowly, using a little tongue. “Damn, woman. Just damn.”

He backed away from me, breaking our connection, his pants around his ankles. “What?” I asked.

“I know what you’re doing.”

He couldn’t, but even if it was possible, I refused to argue. I was too elated. “Deal with it. When I get back to my apartment Sunday, I want you there.”

“Rach, don’t make plans with me yet. You don’t know what will happen.”

“I do. I already know.”

He brought his finger up to my lips to stop me from speaking then shook his head. “If only life were that easy.” He paused for a moment. “I want you to have a nice weekend. Wherever your heart leads you know I’ve enjoyed being close to you, getting to know the person you are on the inside, and without clothes. Life is crazy. Shit happens we can’t control. We have to live it to the fullest.” His hand came up and brushed my cheek. I leaned into it and closed my eyes. “Be safe driving. I’ll see you on Monday.”

I watched Chad walk away from me. He went so fast I knew I wouldn’t be able to catch up in heels. There was so much I wanted to say to him, to know about how he felt, but I didn’t have time to ask him. Maybe he was right. Maybe I needed to find closure before I looked toward the future.





Chapter 28


Grayson


We had plans to meet at a park and ride off the beltway, in between her office and our home. I’d been sitting there waiting for nearly fifteen minutes when she finally pulled into the spot next to me.

Rachel had never looked better. She’d changed her appearance, and even began wearing more makeup. She seemed less stressed, up until her eyes locked on mine. Then I watched a concerned grimace take over her face. I got out of the car to greet her and place her bag in the trunk. She rolled her eyes and met me a the rear of the vehicle. “You look nice,” I noted.

“Whatever. Don’t think that charming me will change the way I feel. I’m doing this for closure, Grayson. I’m tired of being in limbo.”

“Fair enough. Although, I would appreciate it if we left our baggage here in this parking lot, and I’m not talking about your overnight bag. It’s only fair if we go into this with open minds, Rachel. I’m not asking you to relive the past. I’m asking for a new future, where we could start over and build something stronger than we’ve ever had before.”

“I understand what you’re asking of me. I’ll do my best. This isn’t exactly how I would have liked this to go, but I’m here and I’ll try to keep an open mind.”

“What about the guy you’re seeing? Chad?”