The Loner (Man Card Book 6) Read online

  “I’m the lucky one.”

  I leaned forward and kissed him. “We should visit your sister?” His face went serious. “Or not. Sorry.” I dropped my head, worried I had gone too far.

  He placed his finger under my chin to lift it up. “Give me a few more weeks.” He brushed his finger across my bottom lip. “I’m finally getting used to living again.”

  “Whenever you’re ready.” I smiled and sat up. “I’m sorry if I’m pushing you into anything you’re not comfortable doing.”

  “Hey.” He sat up and grabbed my hands. “You’re not. This. Us. It’s good. Really good.” He brought my hands to his lips. “There is something I want though.”

  “What’s that?” I was secretly hoping he said sex because I wanted that more than ever at this very moment.

  “Well,” he wiggled his eyebrows up and down.

  He did. “Oh my fuck, yes.” I hopped up and grabbed his hand. “Yes.” I tugged him up. “Come on.”

  “Now?” He was laughing as I tugged him alongside me.

  “Baby, I’ve been waiting for you to give the green light.”

  He stopped and pulled me close to his chest. “Wait, why did you wait for me to give the go ahead? You can make the first move, too.”

  I brushed my fingers over his scars and watched how he closed his eyes. “Justin.” I leaned forward and kissed each imperfection. “You are still working through things. I didn’t want to push you.”

  A small smile started to slowly surface. He surprised me by bending down and wrapping his arms around my waist. Then he threw me up over his shoulder. How could I be mad? He was so happy and it was all because two strangers were kind enough to offer me a ride.

  Ten

  Justin

  “There you two are,” Cora said as I carried Sky over my shoulder through the front door.

  “And there they go.” Lucy burst out laughing. I didn’t stop to say hi. Instead, I continued up the stairs toward third floor.

  I brought Sky down and she wrapped her legs around my waist. “Shouldn’t we spend time with them or something?” Sky was brushing her fingers lightly over my scar. Something I thought I would hate. Maybe it was more about the person.

  “Not right now.” I briskly climbed each step. “Right now, I plan to enjoy every inch of your delicious body.”

  “Justin,” she gasped. “You’ve been so proper this whole time. Is there a different side you’ve been hiding?”

  “Would you be disappointed?” I suddenly stopped on the second-floor landing.

  She hopped out of my arms and grabbed my hand. “Baby, you just made my day.” We both ran up the stairs two at a time. “Please tell me you have condoms?”

  I slapped my hand against my forehead. “Shit, I knew I was forgetting something.”

  She reached over and tickled my side. “You better be joking mister.”

  “Okay, okay, I’m joking.” I grabbed her hands and brought them to my lips. “Do you think I would really forget something that important? Thank goodness for next-day shipping.” We reached the bedroom door and I stopped. “But you can change your mind now.”

  “Why would I do that?” she said and placed her hand on the door knob.

  “This changes everything, Sky.” I watched as she pushed the door open.

  “Didn’t everything change two weeks ago?”

  I leaned down and wrapped my arms around her waist and carried her over to my bed. She wrapped her legs around my waist and I sat down on the edge of the mattress. “How is this even real?” I brushed a strand of hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear. “I should be angry and throwing red paint all over a canvas.”

  “Instead, you’re about to get lucky in the middle of the day.”

  “And on your special day.”

  “We’re two for two.” She threw her arms around my neck and pushed me so my back fell against the mattress. “Want bonus points, my sexy prince?”

  “You’re not a virgin, are you?” I actually felt concerned, especially because we were rushing this moment.

  “What? No.” She giggled. “I think you should paint me naked later when I’m glowing from all the hot sex.”

  “You’ll be glowing?” I dragged my fingers down her neck and over her collar bone. Then I stopped.

  “What is it?” She reached for my hand.

  “Nothing. Everything is perfect.” I couldn’t wait another minute. “Well, except your shirt is in the way.”

  She surprised me by hopping off the bed and stripping. Then she crawled back up my body. “Now you’re wearing to many layers.”

  “You can fix that.” I was teasing but secretly hoped she would suddenly strip me, too.

  She did.

  As she tugged my pants down over my thighs the zipper snagged on my boxers and carried them down, too. My cock sprang free and she gasped. I didn’t know if her reaction was disappointment or happiness. Her facial expression didn’t show either.

  “Justin,” she whispered and threw the rest of my clothes behind her.

  “Are you disappointed?” I had to know.

  “What?” She was still standing and let her legs fall against mine. “That is definitely not the word I would ever use.” I wasn’t ready for what she did next. She dragged her fingertips slowly down my chest and over my abdomen. Then without warning she dropped to her knees. “Excited. That’s the word I would use.” She grabbed my length and rubbed her hands up and down. “Very, very, happy.”

  I leaned up on my elbows and started to feel the anticipation for what was about to happen. It had been so long since I had been with a woman. So long since I let myself fully feel in this way. She dropped her head and wrapped her mouth around me. The feeling almost sent me over the edge within seconds but I knew I had to hold on for a little longer.

  Sky moaned and the vibration was unlike anything I had felt before. I fisted my hands in her hair and helped move her head at a faster pace. There was no way I could wait for long. I had not felt this amazing in so long. Now she was allowing me to feel and I craved more. Then she sucked hard on the tip and my body shot straight up. “Sky,” I yelled before falling back on the bed. When she removed her lips, I felt a sense of loss. “I need more of that.”

  “Now,” she asked and climbed up my body.

  “Later.” I placed my palm on her cheek. “I want this now.” Then I spun her body so I was now on top. “Me inside you.” I reached my hand down in between us and dragged my finger over her pussy. Then I circled my finger around her clit until she was begging for more. I didn’t give her more though. Instead, I took what I needed. What we both needed. I rolled the condom up my length and pushed her legs further apart. I pushed my cock into her. She was tight at first but I continued to push. With each thrust I drove deeper inside.

  “Justin, harder,” she moaned.

  I placed my hands on either side of her body and leaned up to get into a better position. Then I picked up the pace and moved in and out. Each time I drove back into her wet pussy she would cry out my name.

  “Come for me, Sky.” I bent down and kissed her lips while still moving in and out.

  “Oh Justin, I’m almost there,” she moaned and fisted her hands in my hair. “Please don’t stop.” She helped with the movements and our thrusts became intense. Faster. Harder. Until she finally screamed my name and threw her arms out to the side. I was still not done so I continued to make deep movements. “Oh my god, Justin.” She rubbed her hands up and down my ass. “Fuck. You feel so fucking amazing.”

  Her words sent me over the edge. I cried out my release and dropped my head into the crook of her neck. “So amazing.” That was all I could get out at the moment.

  There were girlfriends. I had sex. Nothing compared to what I had just experienced with Sky. Nothing.

  Eleven

  Sky

  “Wait,” I wrapped my fingers around both of his wrists. “You’re not moving yet, mister.” He was about to break the connection after
our mind-blowing sex. I wanted him inside me for a while longer. “I want more.”

  “I’m not sure when I’ll be ready again?” He rested his forearms on either side of my head. “You just wore my ass out.”

  “Baby, that’s only the beginning. Just wait until the real show begins.” I giggled and kissed his nose. “I’m really glad we’re on the third floor.”

  “Why? Because you’re loud.” He kissed my chin.

  “I’m loud.” I tried to look offended. “We need to record it next time.”

  “That will never happen.” He lifted his body up slightly. “Ever.”

  “So no electronic devices allowed in the room?” I leaned up and dragged my tongue up his neck. “You never know, it could be fun.” Then I nipped at the bottom of his earlobe.

  “Not even a little.” He surprised me and pushed against my core.

  “Wait, I thought you said you needed a little bit.” I wrapped my legs around his waist to open wider for him.

  “It used to take me a little bit to prepare for the next round,” he shrugged and slowly kissed me. I loved the way his lips felt. Actually I craved more of his lips. Kissing him was like a drug. He was definitely my new addiction.

  “And now,” I dragged my tongue across his bottom lip.

  “Now.” He pulled away and smiled. “Well.” Then he pushed hard against me. “Now I feel excited to fuck you, my princess.”

  “Oh yeah,” I giggled. “Talk dirty to me, my sexy prince.” His soft movements in and out slowly started to pick up momentum. With every thrust my body would ignite and crave more. “Harder, Justin.” I begged.

  “You’re demanding.” He leaned up and gave me exactly what I needed.

  “Not your thing,” I said in between peppering his chest with love bites.

  “It may be my new favorite thing.” Then he pulled me down and wrapped his arms around my waist to spin us yet again until my body was looming over him. “Show me what you got, Sky.”

  “You didn’t know this, but I love being on top.” I arched my body back and threw my hands in my hair. Everything about this position was delicious and I needed more. I bent back even further and rested my hands on his thighs. I knew the movement would benefit us both. My hands were keeping me steady as we both moved together at a perfect rhythm.

  “Sky.” He tightened his fingers around my hips. “I’m almost there, baby.”

  I was, too. My orgasm was slowly making its way up my body and lighting every inch of me on fire. Then it finally plowed through me and I screamed his name and attempted to drop down onto his chest.

  He placed his hand in the center of my chest to hold me up. “Give me a little more, Sky.” I leaned up and increased my movements. After a few more thrusts I could see by the look on his face he was there. I pushed deeper and he cried out.

  Finally, I could rest. A part of me wanted more, but I needed to catch my breath.

  “Okay, confession,” he said, and I lifted my head to look at him.

  “A good confession or bad one? We are still joined.” I pushed against him. “You’re not going to make this awkward are you?”

  He chuckled and squeezed my ass cheeks. “I don’t plan to make anything awkward.” He dragged his finger up and down the center of my back. “I wanted to have sex with you a week ago.”

  I leaned up a little too fast. “What?” I settled back down. “Seriously?”

  “But it was too soon. Hell, this may be too soon. I don’t know.”

  “There are no rules.” I rested my head against his chest. “If there are rules, I’m throwing them out, because rules were made to be broken.”

  “Finally she surfaces,” Cora said and flipped over a pancake. “You must be hungry.” She looked over at the clock on the wall. “Since you’ve been up there for almost twenty-four hours.”

  “Are you monitoring us,” I teased and sat down on the barstool.

  “Eww, no.” She shook her head and poured a cup of coffee. “I’m just glad I room on the first floor.” She handed me the mug. “I have a feeling the third floor was exceeding the noise limit last night.”

  I brought one leg up onto the barstool and wrapped my arms around my shin. “A lot of things were exceeded last night.” I rested my head on my knee. “Hey.”

  “Hey is for horses,” she pointed the spatula in my direction.

  “Rules.” I blurted out.

  “Like, we need to make some rules now that we all live under the same roof?”

  “I can live here?” The question slipped out. I wasn’t for sure if that was okay. The topic had not been discussed. It made sense, too. The relationship was all so new, why would I think living here permanently was an option?

  “Don’t you already?” Cora asked and placed two pancakes and a couple strips of bacon on a plate.

  “I don’t know.” I knew I wanted to be here.

  “Yes, she does.” Justin sauntered into the kitchen wearing low slung, worn jeans and a white cotton T-shirt that had paint splatters all over the front. He bent and kissed my temple. “Permanently.”

  “The prince has decided,” Cora yelled and held her spatula above her head.

  “But…” I glanced between them both.

  “Don’t disappoint the villagers,” Lucy said as she walked into the room. “They have wanted to see their prince happy for so long.”

  “Are you all living in a fairytale?” I laughed and took a bite of bacon.

  “Aren’t we all?” Justin said and sat down beside.

  “Is this our happy ending?” I climbed onto his lap and wrapped my arms around his neck.

  “It’s definitely mine.” He kissed my nose, cheeks, and lips.

  “I’m not ready to say the end yet though.”

  “Good, I’m not either.”

  Epilogue

  Justin

  “Yes, I’m sure.” I pushed Rylee’s hand away. “Would you stop worrying.”

  “I’m worried.” She plopped down on the chair beside me. “You haven’t seen the firehouse since–”

  “Yeah, I know how long it’s been.” I patted her leg.

  It took me four months to be ready but with Sky’s help I knew going home would be easier now. She promised to never leave my side. Then she got food poisoning and had to go to the hospital overnight for observations our first night in Charlotte.

  I had set up to meet with some of the old crew from five years ago the first day in town. Sky wouldn’t be there but I couldn’t cancel either. I felt like my anchor was still set in place. Meeting with the guys was not easy but I felt okay. I knew Sky really did help me to move past the pain of that day. We even packed some of my painting supplies so I could capture our trip on the canvas.

  The months leading up to the trip I would stand and stare at myself in the mirror. The reflection looking back at me was still not the person I wanted to see. The imperfections were a constant reminder of that day and how it changed my life. Then I thought about where I was now. How a gorgeous princess was magically brought into my life thanks to my two saviors. Cora and Lucy try to say they just felt bad leaving Sky alone. I think it’s something more than that, yet, magic wasn’t real…or was it?

  Sky

  “I have to go. You need to release me early.” I threw my legs over the side of the bed and attempted to get up. The hospital gown could be my dress of choice, I didn’t care.

  “If I release you early.” The doctor placed his hand on my shoulder. “You need to sign some extra forms.”

  I waved his hand away. “Yeah, I get it. You don’t want to be liable and all that jazz. Now where are the papers?” It was already almost noon and Justin was supposed to meet with the firefighters at one.

  “Give me ten minutes,” he said as he left the room.

  I grabbed my cellphone sitting on the table beside the bed. Justin picked up on the first ring. “Hey, princess. How are you feeling?”

  “Much better now. I’m being discharged in ten minutes.” I found a bag sitt
ing on a chair with all my personal belongings. “Should I grab a taxi or will you grab me?”

  “Sky–”

  “Justin, there is no way I plan to sit in this hospital room. So I guess I’m grabbing a taxi.”

  “No,” he said, and I actually sighed. “I’m leaving now.”

  The time it took for the nurse to bring the paperwork and Justin to arrive felt like the longest wait of my life. I had promised Justin I would be with him every step of the way. Of course, eating tainted fish was not in the cards, but still.

  I was sitting in a wheelchair by the front entrance with a nurse waiting for Justin. Rylee’s boyfriend had a dark green SUV. Right as it pulled up, I stood. The nurse tried to protest but I pushed his hand away. I wanted to be by my prince’s side. It’s where I belonged.

  “You should be resting.” Justin grabbed me around my waist and helped me to the vehicle.

  “No,” I stopped walking and glanced up at him. “You had to work through the accident alone.” I placed my hand on his chest. “This here.” I moved my hand in between us. “We’re a team now.”

  “A team, huh.” He flashed the biggest smile and helped me step up onto the backseat.

  “Yeah, and now we have a chef to make us all the perfect meals,” I squeezed Rylee and Weston’s hands. “Sorry I’m late.”

  “I make dessert. I’m not sure I’m the right person for your basic meals though.” Weston winked and put the SUV in drive.

  “A fairytale where they only eat dessert?” Justin reached for my hand and kissed each finger.

  “Sound like the perfect way to end the story.” I snuggled closer and rested my head on his chest.

  As we drove to meet with the firefighters, I felt like the soft music was playing in the background and this is where you wrote, the end.

  Justin

  Wait…there was one more thing to share…