My Accidental Forever (Love You Forever Book 5) Page 4

  His hips never slow. His hands never stop exploring. His lips never falter as they deliver their torture. I’m lost in him, in my body, and in this state of euphoria we’ve created. He rocks against me one last time and I see stars. It’s like I’ve ridden a rocket ship to outer space and now I’m just falling back to earth—out of mind, out of body.

  He lets out a deep moan and twitches inside me as his hips slow. Suddenly, we’re both completely spent, neither of us able to move. He comes to a stop on top of me, resting his head between my shoulder and head. His muscular back is all I can see, and it’s rising and falling quickly with his heavy breaths. My legs flop to either side of his hips, since mine are too weak to support the weight of my legs anymore. My left hand is resting on his back while my right stays tangled in his hair, holding him to me. Even though we’re done, I’m not ready to let him go, because I know we’ll probably never have this again.

  After a few moments of catching our breath, he lifts his head up and his dark eyes find mine. He’s wearing a lopsided grin. “That was fun,” he says, removing himself from me to lie at my side.

  I laugh. “That was fun. Maybe we should do it again sometime.” I sit up, pushing the sheet down so I can stand up and get dressed.

  “You ready to run off already?”

  I pull my jeans up my legs. “I would stick around and cuddle and all that, but that’s not really me. Plus, I need to find my purse and keys. My car is still at the bar and I don’t want it to get towed.”

  “Oh, right,” he says, sitting up now too. We get dressed together and make our way out of his apartment around 11 a.m. We climb back into his car and I give him Cora’s address. He pulls up to her building and I look over at him. This feels different than it did last night—although last night we hadn’t slept together yet.

  “Well, thanks for everything.” I offer up a smile.

  He nods and gives me a blinding smile of his own. “Anytime. You still have my card, right?”

  I nod. “I do.”

  “Use it. Anytime.”

  There’s a pen in the cup holder between us and I grab it, then take his hand in mine. I write my number on the back of his hand, but instead of writing my name, I draw a small set of boobs.

  He looks down at it and laughs out loud. “So I guess I should call you ‘tits’ from now on, huh?”

  I smile. “Most men couldn’t get away with that, but I might just come when you call.”

  His eyes grow darker. “Oh, you’ll come all right,” he replies.

  I can’t hold back the corners of my mouth from turning up into a smile. I open my door to climb out, but he catches my left wrist in his hand, stopping me. When I turn back to see what he wants, he’s leaning over the center of the car. His mouth lands on mine firmly, his tongue darting out to dance with my own. I kiss him until I’m breathless and ready to fall back into bed with him, but he pulls back.

  “Hope you find all your stuff.”

  I snort. “Me too,” I say, climbing out.

  Just like last night, he sits and waits to make sure I get inside safely. I push the button and Cora’s voice comes over the speaker.

  “Who is it?”

  “It’s me, Harley,” I reply.

  The door buzzes and I pull it open. Before I step through, I wave goodbye to him, and he waves back with a smile.

  Cora is already at her door when I round the corner. She sees me and runs the last couple feet between us. She pulls me in for a hug.

  “Oh my God, Harley! You scared the shit out of me! Where have you been?”

  I hug her then push her back a step. I’m not much of a hugger and she knows this. The fact that she’s even hugging me tells me she was really concerned even though this isn’t the first time I’ve disappeared after a night out with the girls. It was kind of my signature move back in the day. “I got arrested!”

  She gasps and her mouth falls open. She grabs my wrist and pulls me into her apartment. “What? How? When?”

  I run through the story, telling her about getting kicked out of the club, arguing with the bouncer, sneaking back in but getting caught, and getting arrested for trying to bribe the cop. Then I tell her about Foster.

  “Ohhh, this is getting good,” she says, rubbing her hands together when he enters the picture. “But why didn’t you call me?”

  I roll my eyes. “You think I have your number memorized? Come on. I don’t remember any numbers anymore. All I have to do now is push a button. But I didn’t have my purse or phone. All I had was Foster’s card stuffed in my bra. Worked out perfectly.”

  “So did you two hook up?” She wags her brows, fishing for some juicy details.

  I laugh. “Last night, no. But we did this morning and ohhhh my gawd, Cora. You wouldn’t believe how amazing it was.”

  This makes her giggle and her cheeks turn pink. “Details!” she demands.

  “He’s big—like big big. And his hands are huge and strong and they make me feel like I’m the damsel in distress. And he can kiss! I swear, he’s the best kisser. His lips are thick and soft and he knows exactly how to move them . . .” I sigh just from thinking about his kisses. “I don’t know, but he’s too good to be true.”

  “Well, apparently not. Are you going to see him again?”

  I smile. “I think so. I mean, I still have his number and I gave him mine. Then when I got out of the car, he kissed me. I swear, it felt like we were made for each other. Everything was perfect.”

  She squeals. “This could be him! The one!”

  I roll my eyes and scoff. It figures Cora would be ready to turn a dirty hookup into some fairy tale. “I doubt it, dude. I told you, I’m staying single so I can be the cool aunt to all the kids you’ll have. If I don’t do it, who will?”

  She rolls her eyes this time. “I do have a sister, you know.”

  I laugh. “I know, but I’m way cooler than your sister.”

  She doesn’t argue with that. She just shrugs.

  “Please tell me you got my purse,” I say, suddenly remembering.

  “Oh, I did. That reminds me . . . we were all freaking out when we couldn’t find you last night. Like, we thought you’d been abducted and sold into sex trafficking or something. We tried to report you missing!” She stands up and walks over to the recliner. She picks up my purse and walks back, dropping it on the table in front of us.

  I laugh. “You did? What did they say?”

  “That it couldn’t be filed until you were missing for 24 hours, blah, blah, blah. They kept telling us that you probably just left with a guy or got sick and went home. They told us to come back if we couldn’t find you today. But here you are! Thank God. Who else would be my maid of honor at the wedding?”

  I laugh and shake my head as I grab my purse and retrieve my phone and keys. The phone has a million missed calls from the girls last night. I clear them all and toss it back into my bag. “I guess I’m going to catch a ride across town to get my car. Hopefully it hasn’t been towed yet.”

  “Want a ride? I can drive you over,” she asks.

  I look down at her—really look at her for the first time since I walked in. She’s still in pajamas, her hair is a mess, and she looks sweaty. In fact, her skin is almost green. “Thanks, but it looks like you need to go back to bed. Plus I just called an Uber. Feeling rough today?”

  “You have no idea. Lock the door on your way out and make sure you text the girls that you’re alive,” she says, lying back on the couch and getting comfy.

  I laugh. “Call me later. We can grab some dinner if you’re feeling up to it,” I say, heading for the door.

  I book an Uber on the way down to the street. I told Cora I’d booked one already so she wouldn’t feel obligated to drive me to the bar. I only have to wait five minutes before it pulls up. I climb into the back seat and go through my phone on the ride over. When we arrive at the bar, I get out and find my car right where I left it. I say a silent prayer as a thank you.

  Finally walking bac
k into my house, I feel like I haven’t been here in days, when in reality, I was here early last night. The dogs are barking and going crazy, and I see a few messes on the floor by the back door. I set my things down as they follow after me. “I’m so sorry, guys! I got held up or I would’ve been home sooner. I bet you’re all ready to go out, huh?” They follow me to the door and I let them outside while I clean up the messes they’ve left behind.

  They all go outside to do their business, then they’re right back in, wanting to visit with me and play. I pet them all and talk to each of them, telling them how much I missed them and how sorry I was for leaving them for so long. Then I get busy giving them food and water. When there’s food in the mix, nothing else matters to them. Since they’re occupied, I head to my room to change out of my walk-of-shame clothes and into my pajamas, then I get my laptop and take it to the couch to order groceries while I watch some TV.

  The dogs finish eating one by one and eventually join me on the couch. They’re lying on me, under me, beside me. It can’t be comfortable for any of them, but they don’t seem to mind as long as we’re all together. When the groceries arrive, I force them all to get up so I can, then I unpack everything and start dinner. Since it’s Saturday, I don’t go out of my way or make anything big. I stick with a frozen pasta dish that I warm up in the microwave and eat on the couch with the dogs begging for every bite I take.

  I’m half-tempted to call Foster, but I don’t want him to think I’m the clingy type. We had a lot of fun together at the bar. I still don’t know much about him, but I know he seems like a good guy and he’s amazing in bed. It’s not like we’re starting up a relationship, so some fun sex seems like a good place to start. Instead of calling him, I opt for a text. Texts are impersonal and can be ignored or answered whenever.

  Harley: Want to come over and have a repeat of this morning?

  I quickly delete that. I don’t want him to think I’m some kind of sex addict.

  Harley: I’m free. Wanna hang out?

  I delete that too. I don’t want him to think I’m some kind of loser who spends all her time alone. Jesus, since when do I overthink anything this much? Especially a random text to a dude?

  Harley: I had a lot of fun with you. Hopefully we can do it again soon.

  I send that one and take a deep breath, trying to calm the nerves that are suddenly flooding my body. I try to force myself to pay attention to the TV, and when that doesn’t work, I go back to my phone, scrolling through Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Almost an hour passes before I get a text back.

  Foster: I had a lot of fun with you too. Are you free right now?

  I read it over at least three times before I reply.

  Harley: I’m just hanging out at home with the dogs. What did you have in mind?

  Moments pass before he responds.

  Foster: Can I come to your place? I’m just leaving a charity event.

  I smile to myself before sending him my address.

  Suddenly it occurs to me that I look like a complete mess. I jump up so fast that it scares the dogs and I run to my room to find something a little cuter to put on. I strip out of my baggy sweatpants and pull on a cute pair of tight black spandex shorts. They end just below my ass cheeks and hug every curve. Then I add on a white tank top. The top is thin enough to provide just a peek, but not so thin that it gives it all away. It leaves a little to the imagination.

  I walk into my bathroom to check my face and hair. I’ve had it up in a messy bun since I got out of the shower. I tug the tie from my hair and it comes rushing down in soft waves. I add a little highlighter to my cheeks, some light sparkles to my eyes, a thick layer of black mascara, and a little shimmery lip gloss. I finally look like those pictures on Instagram . . . the ones of beautiful girls who claim they’ve just gotten out of bed. You know, the ones that always read #nomakeup or #nofilter.

  I’m so full of shit and not this girl. What the fuck has gotten into me? Cora would be laughing and finger-wagging me right now with a big I told you so grin on her face.

  I snort as I think about it, but dismiss the thoughts and turn off the light, leaving the bathroom and going back to the couch. I let the dogs out so they can run, play, and go potty. That way when Foster gets here, he can have my full attention. Thirty minutes later, there’s a knock at the door. I pull it open, expecting to find the same man I left this morning, but to my surprise, he looks nothing like the man who worked me over in bed. He looks like Prince Charming—here to rescue me.

  His tall, hard body fills out the black tux he’s wearing like a glove, which tells me it’s custom—no “off the rack” for Foster. Rich people. The white dress shirt stretches over his toned chest and it makes his tanned neck and face glow even more. Then he smiles and every last thought flies out of my head.

  “Hey,” I say, sounding a little too dreamy. “Want to come in?” I hold the door open wider.

  He steps inside. “Please excuse the attire. Like I said, I had to attend a charity dinner.”

  “It looks good on you,” I reply, closing the door behind him.

  His eyes find the dogs and he freezes. “Wow, you have a lot of dogs.”

  I laugh. “They’re not mine. I foster them. I just take care of them and love them until they find their forever homes.” I go on to introduce each dog to him.

  We move over to the couch and I shoo the dogs down. “Should I get a towel or something? You’re going to get dog hair all over that black tux.”

  “It’s fine,” he says, taking off the jacket and sitting down. “It’ll go to the cleaners tomorrow anyway.” I watch as he removes his tie then unbuttons his cuffs and rolls them up. “That’s better. I’ve been stuck in that thing for way too long.”

  “How was the event?” I ask, needing to make conversation to stop myself from jumping on him and humping his leg or something.

  “All those things are sort of the same. No one is there for the cause. They’re there because they want people to think they care about the cause. That and they want everyone to know how much money they’ve donated.”

  “So why go?”

  “My father,” is all he says.

  I nod, not wanting to push the issue.

  “So, did you find your purse and car?” he asks with a smile.

  “I did. Cora grabbed it for me when she realized I’d been abducted.”

  “Abducted?”

  I laugh. “Yeah, they tried to file a missing person’s report on me last night. Luckily, the police didn’t take my friends seriously because they were all so wasted,” I laugh out.

  He joins in then reaches for my hand.

  “So . . . who was your date to the event?” I ask.

  This makes him tense up and he doesn’t respond.

  “I mean, aren’t you required to bring a date to all of them to fill chairs or some shit?”

  “Yeah,” he says, sounding nervous.

  “It’s not a big deal, Foster. I was just curious. You’re not married or anything, are you?” I suddenly feel sick.

  “No, I’m single,” he promises.

  Thank God. The uneasiness in my stomach seems to fade away with his words.

  Four

  Foster

  Might as well come clean to her. I mean, I am sleeping with Harley, so she deserves to know that she isn’t the only woman in my life, even if we aren’t exclusive.

  “I took an old family friend. Her name is Bianca. We aren’t a couple,” I say emphatically.

  “Oh, well, that’s nice. I hope you had a fun time.” She gives me a sweet smile that reassures me. Most girls wouldn’t be cool about this.

  “Actually, it was boring as hell,” I laugh. “Like I said, just a bunch of rich people showing off and not actually caring. Bianca is big into all of these social events, though they’re not really my thing. But she’s a good person and we seem to get along well enough.”

  She nods.

  “Can I ask you a question?” I ask, needing to feel her out.<
br />
  “Sure, what’s up?”

  “This thing we seem to have started up . . .” I start, but I’m not sure where to go from here.

  “Oh,” she says, her eyes wide. “Don’t worry about it. I’m not that type of girl.”

  “What do you mean?” I ask, wanting to make sure everything is out in the open and the air is clear. I don’t have room for fuckups.

  “I’m not the girl who’s looking to get married. Hell, I’m not even looking for a relationship. All my friends are growing up, getting married, and having kids. And that’s great for them, but that’s not me. I still feel too young to settle down. There’s still so much to explore. I just want to have fun.”

  “So it doesn’t bother you that I’m sleeping with you but took someone else to the event?” I ask, tilting my head at her as one eyebrow lifts. I’m not sure I can believe it. It seems too good to be true. “The thing is,” I start, “my family and Bianca’s family have sort of groomed us our entire lives. We’re been raised around each other and our families are extremely close. They want us to get married. And over the years, we’ve dated and she comes to all of these functions with me. But she’s not in any hurry to get married. She wants to focus on her work. And I’m definitely not in any rush to get married. So we’ve all just kind of agreed that when the time comes, we’ll move forward, but until then . . . we do what we want to do. She and I aren’t together, but she is in my life. I just don’t want it to seem like I’m stringing you along or cheating on you or anything like that. I’m not sleeping with her and she and I both want different things.”

  She nods but her eyebrows are lifted high. “Wow, that’s a weird situation you’re in, but yeah, I’m cool. We seem to get along pretty well and I had fun with you this morning. So as long as you’re down, so am I.” She smiles and her green eyes sparkle. I know she’s telling the truth. And now that everything is out, it’s time to get down to why I’m here. I need a second helping.