Twisted Fate (Fortitude Memories) Page 7

  Wrapping my arms around his neck, I kiss him fiercely. I’ve fucked up, and I have to show him I’m sorry.

  “Come on, princess. Shower now. There you can show me how sorry you are.”

  He lifts me off the counter but then slaps my ass, and boy, did that feel painfully good.

  We wash each other in the shower from head to toe, taking our time, which only works us up. I’m so ready and panting. I desperately need his cock to fill me. It’s swollen again already.

  “I hope you’re ready for this.” He doesn’t give me a chance to answer. He lifts me up and slides me down on his cock. “Christ, how can you be so tight?”

  My legs are wrapped around him, and my heels dig in just under his buttocks. He pushes my back against the shower wall with a little force, but it doesn’t hurt me. Then he’s pounding into me relentlessly, and I can’t get enough. It feels different this time. My sensitivities are more heightened, and it feels amazing. My orgasm is ready to explode. Nothing is stopping it, and just as it releases, Reid comes with me too in another powerful but beautiful explosion.

  He holds me and his arms tighten around me. Reid kisses me softly, and it’s the most beautiful, loving kiss so far. When he finally pulls away, he carefully puts me back down. Reid looks down, and I see he’s not happy when he growls.

  “Shit. I didn’t use a condom.” He then steps out of the shower and grabs us both towels, and walks into the bedroom.

  Unsure what the hell happened, I quickly wrap the towel around me and follow him. I stand before him, placing my hands on his chest to calm him.

  “Hey, why are you so mad?”

  His eyebrows are slanting inwards, creasing his forehead. That’s how I know he’s annoyed, but I think it’s more with himself than anything.

  “Esme, I’m sorry. I’m never this careless. Using a condom is a priority, but I got carried away in the moment and, well, fuck.”

  I look down and realize we just had unprotected sex. He is really beating himself up over this. While I’m a little freaked out as I’m always so careful too, we need to talk about it calmly.

  “Reid, look at me.”

  He looks at me, and his eyes are full of guilt. It’s killing me to see him like this. It’s not just his fault; we were both foolish.

  “Hey, I was as much to blame. I could have stopped it at any time, and I didn’t.”

  “But I should know better.”

  “Why should you? We’re both adults, and we both knew what we were doing.”

  “I’m the guy. We’re supposed to protect and be sensible. I’ve just done the opposite by being stupid and careless. Fuck. Careful is my middle name, but being with you sends all my rational thinking out the window.”

  I laugh because, when he says it like that, he makes it sound ridiculous. Him, irrational? Really?

  “Oh my God, you’re actually being serious, aren’t you?”

  “Princess, you and your friends call me a caveman, but that’s how I feel. I feel protective of you all the time. I want to take you away from everything and keep you safe. Knowing what you’ve been through already makes my irrational thinking worse. I won’t let anything like that happen again.”

  I can’t think of a response, so I try to address the fact that we’ve just had unprotected sex and deal with that issue first.

  “Listen to me. While it wasn’t very clever of us, I can’t say it didn’t feel right, Reid. In fact, it felt more than right. You know I felt things I’ve never felt before, because it was with you.”

  “Don’t try to dress up my fuck up, please.”

  He’s so dramatic sometimes. He should be called princess.

  “Look, I’m clean and on the pill, and as long as you’re clean, I think we’re going to be okay.” He obviously likes this news since he pulls me onto the bed. He towers over me and looks at me with so much lust in his eyes that the intensity is back, and I know whatever I said was the right thing.

  “Yes, I’m clean. I get checked regularly, and you can come with me next time if it makes you happy. Oh, and bare sex it is for future reference. I’m throwing all the condoms out if that’s okay with you? Now, get up here.”

  “So fine with me.”

  And I am on my way to another mind-blowing orgasm.

  The rest of the evening is spent wrapped around each other. It feels right being here with him. But in the back of my mind, I know something will go wrong. It’s the way my luck runs.

  I wake up with Reid and his huge arm wrapped over me like he’s afraid I’m going to disappear. I manage to remove his arm and roll over, and I just lie there staring at him, admiring his body as the sheet is just covering him from his junk down. He has the most perfect abs and a few tattoos. I presume the one across the top of his right arm is about someone he lost. It’s two hands in the prayer position with a cross dangling over them and then the saying ‘IN GOD’S HANDS’. He also has the words brothers tattooed on his left arm. It’s two fists wrapped around a sword with roses. It’s beautiful, and I know this is about his bond with Ash. Maybe one day I’ll be brave and get one.

  “Enjoying the view?”

  Such an arrogant ass, but he is right. I was definitely enjoying the view, and now I need more from him.

  What has he done to me? I’m always a good girl. Sex before him was usually plain missionary style, and there was never any foreplay. Being with Reid makes me want to explore new things, but I’m afraid if he knows exactly how inexperienced I really am, he will kick me to the curb.

  “The view is okay, I suppose.”

  He quickly dives over me and pins me beneath his strong, hard body. He strokes his hand down the side of my face. “You’re so beautiful, you know that?”

  I shy away from him, and he turns my face back towards him.

  “Hey, why do you do that?”

  “Being spoken to with such kind words… I’m not used to it.”

  He leans back slightly, like he’s studying me, then it’s like a lightbulb goes off in his head. He leans toward me and kisses me slowly and passionately. But then my lips are left wanting more when he whispers in my ear, “You really are a good girl, aren’t you? You’re a bit like the preacher’s daughter. You wanna play but haven’t met the right guy to play with, am I right?”

  I look up at him. My eyes must be bulging. I am so busted now. I don’t know which way to look. I act like I know what I’m doing, but I’m a novice to a man like Reid, who must’ve had a string of women. Why would he want a woman who is practically a virgin?

  I try to get up, but he doesn’t budge. He keeps me pinned to the bed with his naked form.

  “Hey, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “Yeah, well, you’re right. That’s me. I haven’t had the experience you’ve had. My parents were strict, hence my lack of experience, so I guess our time is up now?”

  He looks like I’ve just sucker-punched him, but it soon disappears and is replaced with his smirk. Shit. Here we go again. He grinds his cock against my entrance and then thrusts inside me without any warning. He lifts me up, so we’re sitting face to face, and I have to wrap my arms around his neck to hold on as he picks up the pace.

  The position we’re in makes it feel so intimate. As he thrusts within me, he’s hitting a point that I can only describe as pure ecstasy. I feel the need to rise against him, so I flatten my palms on his shoulders and push myself up, which gives me the leverage to slide my pussy up his cock, and then I guide it back down real quick. I match his thrusts, and anyone watching would think we were competing for a race. Each thrust becomes more powerful. The sweat is pouring off his forehead and he becomes more animalistic as he growls. In a quick flip, I’m turned over, then he rams into me from behind, grabbing my hip with one hand and bunching my hair in his fist with the other. He powers into me like he’s drilling me and doesn’t know how to stop. I have never felt anything like this before. It’s raw and harsh. Nothing about it is gentle, and I love it. I feel my orgasm building.


  “Oh my God, Reid, please don’t stop.”

  “Now, princess. Come for me!”

  And boy, do I come. It’s like a lightbulb that shatters after being switched on, and I explode into a million pieces. I grip the bedsheets, and the scream that leaves my throat is like nothing ever to leave me before. Reid has the sexiest growl ever, and he is still gripping onto me as he lets the last of his cum pour into me.

  We lie down, facing each other, and it’s like seeing him for the first time. Maybe he looks different because he looks happy and carefree. Every time I’ve seen him he’s been angry, or there’s been some sort of confrontation between us. Right now, it’s just calm. He starts talking and jolts me from my trance.

  “Just so we’re clear, I don’t care about experience, and all that crap you were saying. You are what I care about, and you should always remember that.”

  “Reid, there are things you’re gonna expect of me that I probably haven’t heard of, let alone done. Remember, I’ve led a sheltered life compared to yours.”

  He cups my face between his soft, strong palms and stares straight into my eyes.

  “Exactly what kind of life do you think I’ve led, Esme? I’m intrigued to know.”

  Shit. Me and my big mouth. I don’t really know anything about him. I’m just speculating based on what’s happened so far, and that’s me seeing women throwing themselves at him in the gym and the roving eyes that follow him on the streets when he walks past.

  Dammit. What exactly am I going to say now? I don’t really have anything to back up my theory. I get up off the bed and start gathering what’s left of my torn clothes.

  “The life of a typical fighter boy. Trains all day in the gym, women fawning over them all of the time. I mean, come on, I saw it with my own eyes at self-defense class. Oh, and don’t forget the woman who followed you into the back after class. You had the time at the night club, and the way you spoke to me. If you speak that way to all women, I bet there is always one that gives you what you want. A quick fuck here and there.”

  His smile has dropped. He sits up on the edge of the bed and slips his sweat pants on. He won’t make eye contact with me, so I know I’ve either annoyed or upset him. But he has to understand, he has a past like I do, and it’s something we’re both going to have to work with. This is going to be harder than I thought.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to sound so negative. You asked, and I told. What am I supposed to say, that you’re an angel?” I start to giggle, but he just growls at me. I stop and stare at him.

  “I’ve slept with women, yes. Lots of them, and lots of them, I can’t remember their names. Have I treated women disrespectfully? Yes, and I’m sorry about that. Well, for some of them, anyway.”

  “Reid, you can’t go around treating any woman disrespectfully.”

  “Don’t go there.”

  I’ve obviously hit a nerve. There is more to this, to him, and it’s something that needs addressing if he really wants us to be together. But for now, I’ll leave it as he’s fidgety, and he keeps looking at his hands.

  “I can’t help who I was,” he says. “You are who I want. You make me feel things I’ve never felt before. My heart feels alive for the first time in years, and that’s all you.”

  Damn him and his words. Tears prick the backs of my eyes. But is what he is saying too soon?

  “For someone who doesn’t have experience, you sure as hell rocked my world. I think someone’s been keeping things to herself.”

  I walk toward him, tears still in my eyes, and stand between his legs.

  “I’m so sorry for saying what I did. We all have a past, and I have no right to judge you for yours.”

  “Stop saying sorry. You were just being honest with me, and although this talking and being honest thing is a first for me too, it’s all good. Never be sorry for being you.”

  “You really are a beautiful gentleman, Reid Taylor. Through your cocky, bossy, and over-protectiveness, there is a good guy underneath.”

  “Easy, princess. I have an image to maintain, you know.” We both burst out laughing, and it’s good to see him this way.

  He wraps his arms around my waist and buries his head against my stomach while I run my hands through his hair.

  “What you said doesn’t matter, but from now on, things are changing, okay? I’m yours, and vice versa.”

  Right now, I couldn’t be happier.

  Chapter Nine

  Nyla has been bugging me ever since I arrived at work. She wants to know every detail of what happened, so I dish. We’ve never had secrets, and I need my best friend to tell me I’m doing the right thing, considering it’s all been overwhelming and fast-paced. I have to know that she’s okay, too, especially as things are still so raw after what happened between her and Russell.

  “Es, I’m fine. I was escorted home by the delectable Ash last night, who, happens to be single, by the way. Did you know?” All the travel magazines I’m carrying crash to the floor as I stand there gawking at her with a huge grin on my face.

  “What the hell? You have a weird look on your face.”

  “You like him, don’t you?”

  “We’re just friends. Nothing more, and to be honest, I’m not looking for anything. Well, maybe a little fun wouldn’t do any harm. You think?”

  She starts belly laughing, and that’s when I know Nyla has something up her sleeve, and she won’t leave well alone until she gets what she wants.

  “So, Reid rocked your world good and proper last night? Well, it looks good on you. You’re glowing, missy.”

  “Oh my God, Ny, be quiet. I don’t want everyone to hear about my night. But you’re right, he did more than rock my world. He woke the woman in me, and now she’s out, she intends to have lots of fun.”

  “It’s about time she came out. But if he hurts you, so help me God, I’ll strip him of his balls, you hear me?”

  “I hear you. He’s a good guy underneath, just misunderstood. Do you think it’s all happening too soon?”

  “Yes, it’s happened fast, but sometimes that’s how insta-love works. We cannot control who we fall for, and if it feels right, then who are we to deny ourselves happiness? The best things usually come to those who least expect it.”

  “Thanks, Ny.” Maybe she’s right, and I should just enjoy and be happy with what’s happening right now.

  “Okay, time to stop thinking and to start having fun. This weekend we’re going out. Oh, FYI, it’s not a typical night out. Ash told me about a fight that’s going on, and I said we would go.”

  I’m a little shocked to think Nyla would be into that kind of stuff.

  “A fight? Really? It’s not your thing, nor mine.”

  “Yeah, I know. Ash said the guys at the gym train there for these fights sometimes, and I was a little apprehensive when he first mentioned it, but I’m excited to go watch now.”

  “I’ve seen them briefly at the gym training. Maybe a boxing match would be okay to go see.”

  “It’s not a boxing match. It’s mixed martial arts.”

  “What the hell is that?”

  “Ash told me it’s a fight without gloves. He also said it gets real rowdy in there, but we will be fine with him.” She flashes her begging eyes.

  Shocked is an understatement as violence is not my thing at all, but I find myself wanting to go. I agree, and she shoots Ash a text telling him we’re in.

  The following Saturday evening comes around, and I’m looking forward to the fight. Reid and I have been texting and calling each other. I’ve seen him during our gym session and in passing, but he’s been busy with work and training. He assured me he would come to see me after he was done on Sunday. I’m frustrated. Quick moments here and there and texting are not the same as spending time together. I know I’m developing feelings for him faster than I wanted too, but there’s something about him. I haven’t felt like this about a man before, and it’s scary.

  We meet Ash at the gym, but it’s all locked
up, and there’s no sign of Reid anywhere.

  “Hey, Ash. Where’s Reid?”

  “He’s meeting us at the fight. He had a few errands to run and said he’ll see us there. Sorry, Esme.” Something seems off with Ash’s tone, but I can tell he doesn’t want to say anything more. His attention is all on Nyla, so I just have to suck it up and wait until we get to the fight so I can see Reid for myself and maybe get some answers.

  “Hey, firecracker. You wanna sit up front with me?” Ash asks Nyla.

  “Sure.” She nods at me to make sure all is okay, and I nod back.

  We get into Ash’s truck, and he takes us across the city to what looks like an abandoned warehouse, but there are numerous cars everywhere, so this is obviously a huge fight that’s taking place. Nyla senses I’m not comfortable with my surroundings. I’m jumpy and cringing at the loudness of the cars beeping and their music blaring all around us. Nyla takes hold of my hand and grips it for reassurance.

  “It’s going to be fine.”

  Ash, also sensing my nervousness, is at my other side in an instant.

  I grip Nyla’s hand real tight because, although we have Ash right by our sides, and he isn’t someone I would mess with, I still don’t feel comfortable. The looks some of the guys are giving us here gives me the creeps. Maybe I was wrong to agree to this.

  One guy shouts across to us. “Hey, Ash! How are you doing?”

  “Hey, Colt! It’s been a while.”

  “Ladies, nice to meet you. They both yours?”

  “You’re real funny. No, they’re just friends.”

  “Okay. First time here?”

  “Yes,” Nyla and I say in unison.

  “Well, enjoy the fights. Ash, drinks soon?”

  “Yeah, sure. See you soon.” They bump fists, and Colt walks away.

  Maybe it’s not as bad here as I first thought. We get inside, and the first thing I notice is the smell. It’s a mixture of sweat and must; it’s unpleasant. We make our way past the burly guys who don’t smile even a tiny bit. I presume they are the security, and I don’t let go of Nyla’s hand. She holds Ash’s hand, and he’s practically pulling her along toward a huge cage in the center of this wide-open space. Someone grabs my shoulder and tries to pull me backward, making me lose the grip of Nyla’s hand. I freeze, not knowing what I’m about to face behind me. The thought is tightening my chest, and my hands start to shake, when I’m spun around to be face-to-face with a guy who has a huge scar across his cheek, and a bald head. He caresses my cheek with his hand, and I don’t move. I can’t. This guy is tall and hideous-looking. I try to move, but his other hand is still pushing down on my shoulder. He’s strong, and I’m not moving.