Time and Time Again (Maybe #2.5)(15)

I cut her off. “I’m fine, Mum, but thanks for the offer.”

“We worry about you, you know.”

“I’m fine. I have some great friends here, and I’m getting by...” I trail off, wondering why my voice was sounding far away. “Did you put me on speakerphone?”

“Your dad just wanted to hear your voice. Don’t get angry.”

Angry? Don’t get angry?

“If he loved me so much, maybe he should go back in time and not be a cheating bastard. Or I don’t know, maybe he should wear a condom so he doesn’t have illegitimate children running around.”

“Clara—” Rage fills me at the sound of his voice.

“I don’t want anything to do with you,” I grit into the phone, my fingers trembling.

I hated him.

Despised him.

He was the first man to break my heart, when he should be the one I can trust above all others.

“I’ve left her Clara,” he says quickly. “I’m with your mother and only your mother now.”

“Congratulations,” I purr, sarcasm lacing my tone. “I hope the two of you have a nice life. Mum, I’ll call you at Christmas.”

With that parting shot, I hang up.

“Motherf*cker,” I mumble under my breath, sitting up on my bed. When my gaze hits the door, my jaw drops open.

“How long have you been standing there?” I ask Tag who is leaning against the door watching me.

“Long enough,” he replies, expression unreadable.

Well. Fuck.





“So he had another girlfriend and two kids?” he asks in shock after I tell him the whole story. “And he thought it was okay to keep both families?”

I shrug. “If both women are putting up with it, why would he give one up? He was having his cake and eating it.”

“I’m so f*ckin’ sorry he did that to you. He’s a piece of shit.”

I make an extremely unsexy noise of agreement. “It doesn’t matter anymore. I just want to forget it. How was the ride?”

“Good,” he replies, turning his head on the pillow to me. He’s lying on his back with his arms crossed behind his head while I’m sitting half on my knees, half on my butt on the other side of the bed. “Next time, I’ll take you for a ride.”

“I’d like that.”

“Now about before,” he says, studying me. “You were awkward around me this morning. I don’t like it, so stop.”

My mouth drops open. “You’re a jerk, you know that?”

He grins, eyes sparkling. “We’re friends first, remember. If you have something to say or ask, then do it. If you want to touch me, then do it. I never want you to hesitate around me.”

“You set the rules,” I reply, my fingers gripping onto the bed sheets. “You made it clear it was casual, but I didn’t know if that meant I could be casually affectionate.”

“You think too much,” he rumbles. “Now come here and kiss me. I missed you.”

He did?

Smiling, I come forward and lean down, kissing his lips gently. “I missed you too.”

“Thank you for telling me about your parents,” he whispers against my mouth. “I know that you like to keep everything to yourself, and I know what a big deal is that you trusted me enough to tell me everything.”

“I trust you,” I say, realising it was the truth. “I don’t know why, but I do.”

“I’m a trustworthy guy.”

Except with my heart.

“Tag?”

“Hmmmm?”

“What’s your full name?” I blurt out. “Is Tag short for anything?”

He brushes his mouth against my jawline. “You’re only asking me that now?”

“I only just thought of it.”

“It’s not shortened for anything. It’s just Tag.”

“Bit hipster, isn’t it?” I tease, making him laugh.

“Fuck you’re cute,” he murmurs, trailing his lips down my neck. “I want to taste you again, will you let me?”

He was asking permission? “Anytime, Tag, anytime.”

He pulls back, and I watch his lips quirk. “Take those pants off and spread wide for me, Sweetheart.”

My eyes widen. Holy shit.

“Yes Sir,” I reply instantly.

Tag grins, showing off his white teeth, his eyes darkening. “Just Tag will do.”

Was that amusement in his tone?

Had I been reading too many sexy romance novels?

“Clara…”

Oh right, I was told to undress.

Sliding off the bed, I remove my t-shirt, pants, then bra and panties. Crawling back on the bed, I lie down, facing him, and kiss him.

“You are so beautiful, Clara,” he says, rolling me onto my back and pushing me into the mattress.

“You are so dressed,” I reply, my eyes heavy lidded. “I think you need to get naked so we’re on an even level playing field.”

His eyes flash with pleasure. “First I want my mouth on you.”

I gulp. “Okay.”

He kisses me deeply, one hand tangling in my hair and the other trailing down to my *. He strokes me, sliding his finger inside, then toys with my clit while I moan into his mouth.