Page 4 of Hard to Love

The drive home is shorter than the last time I was with her. She’s back in Cherry Grove now; Clemson was almost the death of me. It’s the first time I laid eyes on her. Every man in the room wanted her, but I was the only one who was going to get her.

Waiting for her to cross the room, there was no doubt she’s one gorgeous woman. Her body was made for sin, and every man in the room longed to break any promise they had ever made to stay faithful. Her full, red lips could bring the strongest man to his knees.

When she stopped in front of me and introduced herself, I just knew I had finally won the lottery. I failed miserably at playing it cool, but by the end of the night, she had convinced me to stay the weekend.

Just like the first time we met, she knew exactly what she was doing tonight. Why the hell would she put herself in harm’s way? Acting like a fucking teenager isn’t going to help her cause. Reckless as fucking hell.

Why would any sensible young woman put herself in danger like this? It had to be her wanting my attention. That’s all I can come up with.

Her lips part as she lies sleeping beside me; she’s breathtaking. I’m so far gone; I can’t even think straight. I fall deeper down the rabbit hole as her chest rises and falls, rooting herself deep into me.

Thoughts of her in my bed spin out of control. Waking up with her by my side is all I’ve ever wanted since meeting her. How will I ever rid myself of her?

Once we arrive at my place, I pull into the garage, so my neighbors won’t see me carrying her in. I unbuckle her seatbelt and throw her over my shoulder. Yeah, I grab her fine ass to help hold her in place. What’s a man gonna do?

Kicking the door closed, I make a beeline for my room. Laying her on my bed, I try to decide if I should stay. How many times have I dreamed of having her in my bed? What the hell am I thinking?

She stirs with a slight moan. I try to back out of the room as I hear another cry. She tries to say something as she rolls to her side. Sitting up, she looks at me as if she recognizes where she is.

“Hey. You alright? You look as though you’re going to be sick,” I question her as I watch her struggle to stand upright.

“No. Pee.” Slurring her words as she walks out the bedroom door. I have an en-suite, but I guess she didn’t see it.

Bouncing from wall to door to the wall, she stands in the hallway. About the time it hits me, what is wrong with her? She doubles over. Hurrying her to the hall bath, we almost make it.

Three a.m., and I’ve cleaned the whole bathroom. I throw her clothes in the washer but get a little nervous about drying them, so I hang them up to dry.

I text Christy when she hit Thayer’s phone up. I really want to blast her ass for letting Thayer leave with that asshole but left it a simple statement, all is good. Besides, how the hell will she know if Thayer is really okay?

The thought honestly pisses me the fuck off as I think of how I found my girl. Oh, hell no. It’s time for some sleep; I’m talking crazy shit now.

Sleeping in the extra bedroom or even in the living room would have been the most intelligent thing to do, but I tend to lose every good thought when I’m around her. After she had ruined her clothes and bra, I put her in one of my dress shirts. The strength it took for me to button that shirt can only be compared to superhuman power. She’s still wearing her turquoise panties and even sprawled on my bed; I’ve never seen her look more beautiful.

I’m a better man than I give myself credit for. Pausing at the end of my bed, I watch her sleep. She’s on my pillow, her leg thrown over the comforter. My dress shirt shifted to the side, showing her perfect ass. Just to think, another man was so close to making her his.

Pulling my shirt over my head, I debate how to sleep with her. My decision isn’t based on anything but carnal thoughts. I just want to feel her beside me. The skin on skin. So I drop my pants and climb in on the opposite side.

When the bed shifts from my weight, she rolls over into my side. Focusing on her features, I see things that escaped me our first night together. With a deep sigh, I give in as I watch her until I fall into the most restful sleep I’ve had in years.

Chapter Three

Thayer

Oh, my God. What the fuck is blinding me? The brightest light known to man is making my brains come out of my ears. What the hell did I drink last night? And why the hell am I sweating like a man?

Kicking away the comforter, my foot runs across a rough surface. It’s firm and long. Muscle-bound with hair. Touching it again, I realize what it is I’m feeling.

I’ll be damned; I’m in bed with a man.

Wide-eyed now, I force a recollection from the night before. Alcohol. Lots of liquor with dancing. A large man comes to mind. I remember being really angry and very drunk. I’m sure one of those two reasons will explain this throbbing headache.

Slowly closing my eyes, I release a huff of anxiety. Why the hell was I so careless? I’ve never in my life done anything as remotely ignorant as last night turned out. I let that man get the better of my good judgment.

Lying here with a stranger, no clue where I am or how I got here. I’m so disappointed in how I handled his rejection. Never stopping to think of the repercussions of my lack of tact. I rushed to make him regret not wanting me.

Now, I’m in a predicament. In a strange place, bodies intertwined like two snakes. He’s hard and hot, making everything south of my naval scream for attention.

Looking around the room, I appraise my surroundings. The light glaring through the window tells me it’s morning. The sound of the ocean so close tells me we’re near the beach. I’m clothed to some extent. So far, so good.