One Last Shot (Pub Fiction #3) (21 page)

Claire Knox has always been mine.

I’ve seen the drafts to prove it.

Knowledge not only is power, it’s a beautiful fucking feeling.

“Can we talk about this later?” she asks tentatively. “I sorta had a fun idea planned, one where you would benefit greatly. It was a little gesture for me to thank you for being such an amazing guy and coming to my rescue in the storm tonight.”

“Oh, yeah? Does it have anything to do with why you’re practically naked and making me hard as fucking granite?”

“It might.” She tilts her head. “Maybe you should pull those boxers off and see?” She slips her hand along my very erect cock.

“We can definitely talk later, we will talk later. But you’re right, it can wait. I’m beyond happy with what I know now, and we have all the time in the world. All the time,” I say, reaching to unclasp her bra, her fantastic rack taking my attention immediately. I mold my hands to her tits, rubbing my thumbs over each nipple, coaxing them to come play with me. Jesus, this woman is perfection personified. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of her.

“Feels so good.” She bends her head back, and I take the opportunity to lick from her sternum up to her neck, goosebumps quickly surfacing on her once-smooth skin.

“I can’t wait to taste you.” I trail along her neck, my tongue loving the sweetness that always seems to coat her skin.

“Nuh-uh. It’s my show tonight, Matty,” she says, putting a halt to my motions and dropping to her knees. The sight causes every ounce of blood in me to rush south, forcing my already hard dick to become even harder.

Looking up at me, she palms my cock over top of the boxers I have yet to remove. “You want my mouth, Matty? You want me to help make this beautiful hardness feel good?” she asks, gripping me harder.

I run my hands through her hair and pull it, causing her head to tilt up. “You fucking know I do, Sugarshack.”

Claire licks her lips before running her teeth along the fabric covering me, the little tease. “You gotta beg, hero,” she says, her voice muffled with the boxer-clad cock stuffed in her mouth. Her shoulders shake as she laughs.

“You think you’re funny? Pull my shorts down and take it in your mouth, Claire. All of it.” She stops and looks up at me with the signature smirk I love. “Please,” I add, knowing that’s what the little vixen was waiting for.

“Better,” she says, pulling my boxers down slowly, making a show of it. She begins trailing her tongue along the underbelly of my exposed shaft, driving me mad with desire.

“Fuck, I love me in your hot mouth. Shit, you’re so sexy right now, on your knees like that. Put your hands behind your back and stick those fucking tits out for me,” I groan, watching her take me deeper while moving her arms around back. “Yeah, like that. You’re such a good girl.” I rub my index finger along her cheek.

Reaching for the martini shaker, I pop the top before taking a swig, and to my surprise it’s pretty fucking tasty. Knowing Claire loves this sweet shit, I begin to pour a little down my chest. The ruby red looks good trailing its way down to meet my girl’s mouth. I smile watching as the drops reach exactly where I’d hoped they would.

“You looked thirsty, and I’m not ready to give you my cum yet,” I say, smoothing her hair back from her face. “You’re exquisite.” I grit my teeth as she takes me deeper, her tits swinging as she picks up the pace, the red juice colouring her lips.

“So good, this mix, it’s the best thing I’ve ever tasted,” Claire tells me, while stretching up to lap at the trail the drink has left around my belly button, before moving back down to my cock.

She moans, and it’s sexy as hell. “More, give me more, Matty,” she calls, moving her tongue lower and swirling it over my balls, making me want back in her mouth in the most sweetly agonizing way. Being the gentleman I am, I pour more of the Pomtini down my front. This time it runs to my cock in a direct line and my greedy girl makes quick work of sucking it dry, pushing me closer and closer to shooting my load against the back of her throat.

Claire’s tongue darts out like a hummingbird’s to catch the red sweetness before running her tongue around my head in an accelerated pace, the sensation causing me to drop the drink shaker. “Jesus fuck, Claire!” I grunt, and I grab her face, shooting my release down her throat, coming harder than I thought was possible.

Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand like the minx she is, she grins. “That was the best bloody Pomtini I have ever had.”

“That’s a fucking understatement. Give me five minutes, then I need inside you, need to make you come.” I lift her, carrying her to her bedroom like the caveman I am, although my knees are still a little wobbly.

I spend the rest of the night ravaging her in the dark like I can’t get enough.

Because I can’t.

Claire

“H
ey, hey, pretty
lady. You’re going to wear a hole in the linoleum if you keep pacing back and forth like that. Come on, let’s get you a cup of coffee before the meeting starts. You need to relax,” Nick, my newest friend, says as he leads me to the back of the room.

Mary was right. This place is incredible, I’m so happy she brought me here. I’m just sorry I didn’t allow it to happen sooner. I’ve spent more than a few nights imagining how things might have changed if I had reacted to my parent’s death differently.

“I’m sorry, Nick. I’m really nervous. It’s the first time I’m going to speak in front of everyone. Matt’s coming, too, and I haven’t exactly told him I’ve been coming here,” I worry, biting my lip. I know Matt will be happy and supportive, it’s not that. It’s all the things I have to get out that I worry about. I hope I make sense. I want him to really get me, and where I am in my life…our life.

“You’ll be wonderful. You’re making such huge gains. Mary, Doug and I are very proud of you. We’ve noticed a big change in just the couple of weeks you’ve been coming. I bet your Matt will see it and be proud of you, too. From the sounds of it, he’s quite the young man, one who adores you. Share your truths, fears, and worries; let him take the path toward healing with you, if that’s still your goal. Remember to let him in when he knocks; he’s there to help.” He pats my shoulder, the crow’s feet around his eyes visible as he smiles warmly, reassuring me again that I’m ready to share the progress I’ve made so far.

He’s right. I can do this. I want to do this, it’s what I’ve been building up to since I was fourteen. I owe this to that version of me, the me I am today, and to the future me I hope to be with Matty. I smile, looking at the circle of chairs in the centre of the room.
Bitch, you got this.

Breathe.

“I see you’ve brought the letters.”

“I did. I’m most nervous about this part.” I gesture to the package held together by both red and blue ribbons sitting on the chair I’ve reserved as mine for the night. Ribbons whose colours I’d chosen specifically for Matt, ones with meaning.

“You’ll be wonderful, Claire, don’t stress. We’re all here to support you. Now, I better go and set out the cookies before Verna sends the cavalry to find me,” he smiles, before leaving me to drink my coffee and chat with the other group members.

Matt

“S
hit,” I mutter,
typing out a quick text to Claire.

I’m late; it’s ten after seven. I was supposed to meet her at seven at this secret rendezvous thingy of hers. I still have no idea what the hell she’s got planned; she’s kept this shit on lockdown, hard. Claire wouldn’t tell me what we’re doing tonight no matter how hard I tried or how persuasive I was. She kept telling me it was a big step and one she hopes I’m proud of her for making, a step she says was a long time coming. Knowing how much of a big deal tonight is, and being late, I grip the Jeep’s steering wheel tighter, knowing I’m probably letting her down, the last thing I want to be doing.

“Damn it!” I smack my hand on the wheel.
Motherfucking train.
Hopefully I don’t miss too much of whatever she’s got planned for tonight.

After what feels like days, I finally pull into the parking lot that’s attached to the address she’s given me. That’s when I realize it’s The Centre. How the hell I missed that is beyond me, especially since I’ve been here a few times myself with Ryker and Levi helping out with different events over the years; it’s a community centre where many after-school boys and girls clubs take place. The Eddison brothers play a huge part in running the programs as well as various sport clinics.

Being late, I ended up with a shitty parking spot at the lot’s far end. Smoothing down my short-sleeved light blue dress shirt, I adjust the waist of my khaki cargo shorts and make my way across the lot to the centre’s entrance.

Once inside, I admit I’m a little lost. Without any of the daytime staff around I have no clue where I’m supposed to be going. Pulling out my phone, intent to text Claire, I’m stopped by a friendly voice approaching.

“You’re new, I see.” A friendly laugh splays across the man’s lips.

“It’s that obvious, eh?”

“Only because we don’t get too many new folks out on a Sunday, unless they’ve been invited. Sundays are our special meetings,” he says politely, and I can’t help wondering what the hell is going on here. I’m not gonna lie, the thought that Claire has maybe joined a cult does cross my mind.

“Can I help you find something or someone?” he asks, shaking me from my ridiculous thoughts. I know I’m being crazy, because I don’t think a cult leader carrying a tray of what looks like homemade cookies would be the norm for the main man, especially one who’s older with a friendly smile and warm charming eyes.
Or maybe that’s exactly what a cult leader would look like?

“Yeah, sorry. Hi. I’d like some help, actually. I’m pretty sure I’m in the right place. I’m looking for my girlfriend, Claire Knox. She told me to meet her here. I’m a bit late.” I smile nervously, because, shit, I’m nervous, I have no idea why she would be here at seven on a Sunday night.
Maybe she’s joined Alcoholics Anonymous? They serve cookies at their meetings, don’t they?
I’m more than ready to find out…even if it does turn out that I’ve just come face-to-face with her cult’s Grand Poobah who’s about to lead me to my doom.

“You must be the famous Matt.” He extends his hand for me to shake. “I’m Nick. I’ve heard a lot about you, you’re a big deal to that girl. Now come on and follow me, we’re just getting started. She’s been waiting for you. We’ve all been looking forward to tonight, to meeting you, as well. You’re a lucky man, son. Claire’s a special girl.”

My shoulders relax with his assessment of my girl, and the friendly way he speaks about her.

“Yes, I’m Matt, nice to meet you.” I shake his hand. “I’ve gotta say, I think you have me at a disadvantage here. I have no idea what’s going on or who you are, but if you’re gonna take me to my girl then lead the way. And, yeah, she’s incredible, I agree.” He claps my shoulder, laughing, before he turns for me to follow him.

“I see why you’re a big deal, Matt. I like you already,” Nick calls over his shoulder as I follow the older gentleman down a set of stairs to what looks like the basement.

“Well, that’s good, I think,” I add.

From what I remember, there are a few meeting rooms and offices down here, ones that can be rented out to the community for a variety of events. Following behind, I spot a few of the rooms in use. One looks to be some sort of knitting class, while the other across the hall has sets of easels arranged in a circle.

Following Nick to the end of the hall, I stop at the threshold of the room he just entered. It’s a smaller room, with a group of chairs in the centre of the floor, about twenty five chairs forming a circle. Scanning the room, I see Nick set the tray of cookies on a table. He fusses, repositioning a large coffee urn and tea pot before placing paper cups and everything else you’d need for your beverage beside it.
This really is looking more and more like an A. A. meeting…

Shifting my gaze to the front of the room, I spot Claire immediately. She’s speaking with an older gentleman and looks radiant in a light blue dress with a white cardigan over top, laughing at whatever the man is saying. I love seeing her like this—relaxed and happy. There’s a small congregation of people scattered around the room, some standing, others sitting. I guess I’m not as late as I thought, thankfully. As if sensing my presence, Claire lifts her head, her eyes moving to the door where I’m still hovering, her face lighting up when she registers me.

“Matty, you’re here,” she says, rushing over to me. “Just in time, too. I’m up first tonight. It’s my first time really sharing, but I’m ready. Totally ready, now that you’re here, hero,” she says genuinely, and I laugh at the newly-coined pet name she’s had for me since the other night. There’s a nervous energy that’s bouncing from her to me. “Come. Sit. Follow me.” She pulls me after her. I don’t get a chance to respond before she’s got us sitting in the circle, all the others following suit.

“What is this place, baby?” I whisper, placing my hand on her knee as we sit side-by-side.

“All will be revealed soon, my love, trust me.” She taps the back of my hand playfully, despite how nervous I can see she is.

“Is this more Wizard of Oz shit?”

“All will be revealed in time, young Dorothy,” she teases, looking straight ahead, ignoring the dirty look I’m sure I’m giving her, although I secretly love being her Dorothy. Before I can reply that I’d trust her with my life, Nick stands to address the circle.

“Welcome, friends and loved ones,” he nods, offering smiles all around. I still have no idea what all these people are here for, but I’m all nerves and excitement nonetheless. “I’m happy you’ve all come out tonight to support yourselves and each other. Tonight is a special late night meeting where we welcome you to come forward to share your stories, allow us to support you with open discussions, suggestions, and strategies. We’re all in the same boat and we’re learning that none of us need to navigate the sea of loss alone. We’re here to help and guide one another. First up tonight, we have one of our newest members: Miss Claire Knox. Claire has been coming to Friends in Grief meetings for a few weeks now. She and I have had many conversations and she is ready to share a bit of her story with us tonight. Please give her your respect and attention, as well as your patience. Tonight she’s invited a special guest to share this new part of her life with him for the first time, as well.”