The Ex Files (Ocean View #1)(40)

“Fuck yeah, you like that? You like when I’m deep inside of you?” I mumble some nonsense, the pleasure overtaking my body, removing my ability to speak coherently. “You gonna come on my cock, baby?” I nod, knowing it’s close, knowing it’s going to be huge, fearing how fucking big this is going to be. A single drop of sweat drips from his nose to my breast, and without thinking, I take it and rub it into my skin, over my nipple, pinching tight to amplify the feelings. He growls, a feral sound in my ear, before he orders me, “Come for me now, Cassie. Come on my cock and take me with you,” before one hand leaves my hips, moving back and smacking my ass hard. It’s just once, one hard slap, but it’s all it takes as I come around him, the world around me going quiet, the scream stuck in my throat as my back arches and my body shatters, taking him with me as he pumps into me one last time, sinking deep and calling out my name.





Seventeen





-Cassie-





“What part of your master plan is this?” I ask as I sit on the rug on my living room floor, folding a slice of sausage and pepper pizza from my favorite delivery place down the road. I’m dressed in sweats and a matching cropped tank now, my hair pulled up into a messy bun on top of my head.

“Favorite takeout and 80s movie.” I smile at him as he glances at me. He used my TV to access his account and upload Sixteen Candles (the best of the Molly Ringwald, Brat Pack days) when I told him it was my favorite. There was quite a long argument about watching a John Hughes movie with a man, but it seems he’s really sticking to his ‘Cassie’s favorites’ date.

“Ah, of course. Was this part of the plan all along?”

“If I say yes, I’m an asshole. So no, but I’d be lying if in some fantasy, I didn’t daydream this is how it would end.” His boyish smile both puts me at ease and makes me want to jump his bones, which is so far from my usual MO. So how is this one man changing my mind up so much, breaking all of my rules?

“I’m going to need to spend a week at the gym after today,” I say as I snag a garlic knot off the tin foil it came in, dunking the buttery garlic masterpiece into the tomato sauce. “Totally worth it.”

“Just gonna add to that fuckin’ fantastic ass of yours.” I roll my eyes, resisting the urge to argue. “But if you want, I’ll make sure you burn off those calories a different way,” he says as he waggles his eyebrows at me like some cheesy old movie. We never ended up doing whatever he’d planned for the rest of the night. Instead, I changed into comfy clothes while he ordered delivery and set up the movie. I thought I’d feel uncomfortable, leaving my armor of designer clothes and perfectly made-up hair behind in exchange for sweats and pizza, but I don’t. I couldn’t tell you if it’s because of what just happened a few hours ago or because of something more profound I refuse to touch on.

“You’re a pig,” I say with a laugh as I wipe my greasy fingers on the tissue paper-thin napkins they sent before tossing it at him. His arm goes around my shoulders with a laugh before pulling me into him, pressing his forehead to mine. His huge, white smile beams at me, the dimple clear on his smiling cheek.

“I’m joking, sweetheart. May have been dreaming about tonight since I pulled over and saw you on the side of the road, but I had no expectations for this. No idea where it would go.” He presses a sweet kiss on my forehead before returning to his pizza. The movie is past the midpoint, with Andie watching her sister get married, bringing my mind back to my father’s wedding with dread. Luke seems to think the same.

“So your dad’s wedding—you’re going alone?” I sigh.

“I guess. I fucked up and RSVP’d with a plus one in a moment of weakness because I’m tired of dealing with their shit. But I’ll go alone if I go at all.”

“You’d skip it?”

“I shouldn’t. But I want to,” I say, picking at the crust of my pizza.

“I’ll go with you.” Looking up, I see him staring at me with a severe look, not a joking smile.

“You can’t… I can’t….”

“Why not?” Because I can’t spend more time with you. Because I can’t get attached, can’t get involved with you. Because this is not the plan and I live by my plans. When you deviate from a plan, that’s when you get hurt. But I don’t say any of that. I can’t let him know all of that.

“Because this is our second date,” I say the words quietly. I don’t want to face that reality.

I go on two dates. Two dates, then I match them. And this, although entirely out of my norm, is our second date. So this is where it ends.

“So?” He looks so adorably confused.

“So after this, I match you.”

“This isn’t that.”

“Isn’t it? I met you because your sisters are concerned about you being single. You told me that.”

“So I don’t get another date after this?”

“I… I can’t, Luke. It’s not what I do. I don’t date. And you… you deserve the total package.” He stares at me, contemplating what I said. Each moment is filled with dread. I want him to accept. I want him to nod, finish his pizza, leave, and accept his next date. Even though what just happened was equal parts magical and the most erotic experience of my life, part of me wants him to prove me right. To be like the other men and take what I’ll give and not demand more. But the other part…