Vicious Circles (3 page)

He fil ed my glass and scooted it to me. “Sorry, but it’s cereal and milk in the morning.”

“Geez,” I groaned, making him smile. I drained my glass and my head went into motion, spinning slightly. “Wow. It does have some kick. Think we’l finish the bottle?

I’m a little eager to see you eat the worm.”

“Not happening, sweetheart,” he slurred. “I think you should eat it.” A sexual remark was on the very tip of my tongue just dying to jump out but I was just sober enough to keep it tucked inside. Mostly. “I could make a real y crude remark about the eating of worms but I think I’l just shut up this time.”

“Think you can handle that?” he chal enged as he dropped his arm and knocked the bottle over, splashing mescal on the table. The liquor ran off the edge and into his lap before his mescal-fogged brain could function properly enough to pick up the bottle and jump out of his chair. “Damn.” I laughed, tilting my chair dangerously back. “Now that’s alcohol abuse!”

“Funny,” he said as he pul ed at his shorts. “What was it you said about sucking the alcohol out of the clothes?” My heart stopped dead in my chest and desire ripped through my body. I knew it was wrong – terribly wrong – to even suggest anything with him sober let alone drunk, but I couldn’t help myself. I got up and yanked a wad of paper towel off the holder and proceeded to wipe up the mess on the front of his shorts very slowly and deliberately. He stil ed – his body tense.

“Wil this do?” I asked as I peeked at his face.

His eyelids were heavy and his breath coming in quick gasps as he took the paper towel from my hand and dropped it on the floor. He gripped my hips and eased me closer. I toyed with the col ar of his t-shirt, my heart hammering. I fought to stay coy and nonchalant but my insides were cheering and egging me on.

“I was going to suggest that you stay in Lucas’s old room tonight but I have a feeling you’d rather not,” he said, his voice husky – his lips inches from mine.

I realized in that moment that he was real y tal and it sparked my desire. My groin was on fire and I trailed my fingers up his shoulders to wind in the back of his hair.

“You’re right. I know what your brother and my best friend got up to in there. I don’t think I want to sleep on that mattress. Any other suggestions?” He drew me flush with his body and inched his lips closer. “Wel , I could be a gentleman and offer you my bed while I take the sofa, but, I’d prefer not to sleep on that lumpy thing.”

I raised a brow in an attempt to maintain my cool while my insides melted into a big puddle of mush. “So, I take it you’d rather share your bed with me?” He brushed his lips softly over mine and I could taste the mescal. “Very much so.” I crushed my mouth to his and his grip tightened. I ran my tongue over his bottom lip and he parted his with a soft groan. I pressed my body into him and my desire shot out of control as I could feel the effect I was having on him against my leg.

His hands worked under my shirt and up my sides, producing embarrassing goose bumps. He dragged me toward his bedroom, his tongue probing my mouth. Once we crashed through the door, I broke the kiss to yank his shirt over his head while he did the same to me. His eyes feasted hungrily on the black lace bra barely concealing my breasts.

“Take the damn thing off,” I whispered hoarsely as I tussled with his shorts.

He did, moaning ecstatical y as he dropped my bra so he could massage my breasts. He lowered his head to them, his breath warm on my skin. “I always said you had the best ones out of al the girls we hang out with,” he mumbled.

I grinned in satisfaction as I final y worked the button on his shorts and let them fal to the ground.

“Just, finish getting undressed, Bailey,” he said, his breath raspy. “I can’t wait much longer – I’m liable to shoot off in my pants.” I chuckled and shed my shorts and panties while he kicked off his boxers. I crawled on the bed and he was over me in a second. I watched him fumble with a condom and offered to help but he wouldn’t let me. Once it was on, I pul ed him back to me and planted a wet kiss on his lips.

When he pushed inside me, we groaned in unison, the release very much welcome.

I arched into him with every thrust as he continued to kiss my face, my neck, my lips. I rode wave after wave of pleasure until the waves grew more intense and larger and I final y succumbed, shuddering massively on the mattress.

“Damn,” he huffed as he rested his forehead on mine. His breath was uneven and smel ed of liquor and beer but I barely noticed. I was stil clutching his shoulders, not ready to let him loose.

When his lungs final y settled, he col apsed next to me. I closed my eyes as my entire body tingled – satiated for the moment. But it didn’t take long until I was aching for more.

Rol ing to my side, I wiped the beads of sweat off his brow. He cracked open an eye and grinned at me. “Wow, Bailey.” I kissed him hesitantly but he was more than wil ing to return my kiss. Smiling against his lips, I shifted until I was almost total y on top of him. His arm rose off the bed as he planted a hand on the smal of my back.

“What are you up to?” he mumbled, both eyes closed again.

I kissed the soft spot under his jaw and he shivered. With a smile, I placed my lips near his ear. “Just relax,” I said in what I hoped was an al uring voice.

I kissed al along his jaw and jumped to his throat, blazing a trail down to his stomach. He sucked in a breath as I removed the condom and tossed it to the floor, hoping no one stepped on it in the morning. I stroked him as his hands fisted and he made little sounds of pleasure. Kissing his stomach, I ventured lower, teasing him with my tongue until he reached for me, pul ing me on top of him. His lips were al over me and I prepared for another session but he flipped me over instead.

“My turn,” he whispered against my throat as he mimicked my movements. But he couldn’t stand it for long, his desire too intense, and before I knew it, he was reaching for another condom.

“My turn,” I stressed as I sat up and pushed him to the mattress. He smiled eagerly and grabbed my hips, hoisting me in position. His eyes fluttered shut as I lowered myself on him. I started out slowly but my body would have none of that. My blood was scorching and only he could quench the flame.

“You’re going to kil me, Bailey,” he said in a strained voice, but his hands held my hips tighter and increased my pace.

Al too soon, I was consumed by pleasure and it was my turn to fal on him. His arms wrapped around me and he kissed my hair. We stayed in that position, our heartbeats slowing and our breath catching up to us. I toyed with his hair, very much satisfied to stay in my current position for a long, long time.

Then I heard his light snore and I drew back to shake my head in amusement. His eyes were closed and his lips parted slightly to al ow quiet snores to escape. I kissed his forehead and cheeks before dropping beside him and fal ing into a liquor-induced sleep.

***

“Damn.” I winced, the soft oath penetrating the protective sleep that was keeping me from experiencing a ful -blown headache. I rol ed to my back, my eyes pressed tightly together.

“Bailey, wake up,” Col in said, his voice horribly hoarse. “What the hel did we do last night?”

“If you don’t know, then you have serious problems,” I mumbled.

I felt the bed give as he rose and stumbled around to the other side. “Don’t step on the condom I tossed over there.”

“Fuck!”

I grinned. “Now you’re on the right track. Unless you just stepped on the condom.” He sank next to me as he pul ed his shorts up his legs. “Bailey, I’m sorry.” My heart paused, preparing to shatter. I swal owed a huge helping of bitch and urged my heart to suck it up. “For what?” He shifted and I opened my eyes to see his concerned face. Sighing, I sat up, taking the sheet with me. “Don’t sweat it. It’s fine. We had a good time but no one needs to know - if that's what you want.”

“I’m sorry,” he repeated. “I shouldn’t have let this happen.” I grabbed his chin and held it firmly. “You didn’t start it, Col in. I did. Don’t beat yourself up over it. It was one night and we can keep it to ourselves.” It hurt – I actual y felt pain when I uttered those words. And the relief in his eyes was even worse. He was ashamed and I couldn’t real y blame him. I was Bailey, after al – the girl who’l give just about anyone a turn.

He pressed a chaste kiss to my lips. “I’l leave the room and let you get dressed.”

“Kinda late for that,” I whispered, sucking back stupid tears. He smiled and got up, crossing the room to the door. He hesitated briefly then left. I let my head fal back to the pil ow as I closed my eyes and mental y went through every swear word I knew in every language I knew them in. What an idiot. How stupid could I be?

I hurriedly dressed and rushed to his bathroom. I washed my face and did what I could with my hair. I needed to get out of there quickly before my face brought more guilt and shame to Col in’s.

When I slipped into the kitchen, my heart fel . He stood near the coffee maker, his back to me. His hands were planted on the counter and his shoulders were slumped. I longed to go to him and comfort him but I didn’t think it would be wel received. I took a deep breath and cleared my throat.

He spun around, his eyes bloodshot and his face pale. He attempted a feeble smile. “I’m making coffee. Would you like something to eat?” I shook my aching head and tried to avoid his eyes. The mess on the kitchen table was a reminder of our evening. I couldn’t leave it for him to clean by himself.

“I’l just start on this mess then I’l head out of here,” I said.

“I got it, Bailey. Don’t worry about it.”

“You’re not doing this by yourself, Col in,” I insisted as I tightened the lid on the mescal bottle and shoved it in a cabinet. I scooped up the empty glasses and rinsed them in the sink while he gathered the empty pizza boxes and tossed them in the trash.

Once we finished and he was sipping on his coffee, I turned back to him. “Okay, I’l see you around.”

“Bailey,” he said as he approached me, taking my hand. “I realy am sorry.” I pressed a finger to his lips. “If you say that again, Col in, I’l kick your ass. I swear.” He smiled against my finger and I dropped it. Pul ing me closer, he kissed me softly.

“Okay. We’l keep this between us, al right? I’l make sure Spencer doesn’t find out.”

“I’m not seeing Spencer,” I reminded him.

“Yeah,” he said with a wince. “But I stil think it would bother him if he found out.” He was exactly right. I set my lips in a line and nodded. “Yeah. Okay.”

“And,” he added as he rubbed the back of his neck. “I’d prefer if Tori didn’t find out about this.” That threw me. Why would he care if Tori found out? Unless he had something going on with her. I’d have to ask Irelyn.

“Sure, no problem,” I said, longing to just get the hel out of there. “I real y need to go. I’l see you.” Hugging me, he pressed a kiss in my hair. “Okay.” Once he released me, I fled, my heart fighting valiantly to stay intact.

Chapter 3

I paced the empty condo, unsure what to do or what to think. It was unsettling having such little control over a situation. Never had I had someone apologize to me the morning after and with it being Col in – it real y sucked.

Of course I’d been stupid to, wel , seduce him the way that I had. He had a point that Spencer would be upset if he found out and I didn’t want that. Suddenly I had an inkling of a clue as to what Irelyn had gone through last year.

My headache had subsided to a weak throb but my stomach was stil sour. What I needed and craved was a huge, greasy cheeseburger and an extra large soda. And I knew just where to find those things.

“Hey, Bailey. What are you doing here?” Irelyn asked as I plopped into a chair, folding my hands on the table. “And, no offense, but you look horrible. Did you stay up al night drinking?”

A tiny grin threatened to appear. “Something like that. I real y need a cheeseburger, fries, and the biggest soda on the planet.”

“Sure,” she said slowly and dashed off to place my order. She checked on her only other occupied table – it was stil a little early for the lunch crowd – and returned to me. “What happened?”

“Nothing,” I said as I fiddled with the salt shaker. “I just sat up and matched Col in shot for shot. Of mescal.” She crinkled her nose in disgust. “Yuck. Is that the stuff their uncle brought back from Mexico? That nasty stuff with the worm?”

“That’s it,” I said. “I crashed there – I was a little too drunk to drive.”

“Wel , at least you weren’t too drunk to use your head.” I dropped my eyes in guilt and set the shaker spinning. “Yeah, guess so.” She glanced over her shoulder before sinking in the chair across from me. “Is something wrong?” I couldn’t tel her. I trusted her implicitly but I had a feeling she might tel Lucas and I couldn’t have that - couldn't do that to Col in. Instead, I turned the tables on her. “I’m a little concerned about Morgan. Do you know something that I should know?”

“Wel ,” she said, drawing out the word. “I think – I’m not sure, mind you – that she has a crush on someone. Maybe a little more than a crush."

“Who?” I asked, my curiosity aroused.

Biting her lip, she leaned across the table to whisper in conspiratorial fashion. “Col in.” Just wonderful, my heart railed. Could my life get any better? I swal owed my shock, hoping I wouldn’t regurgitate it “Oh? Did she tel you that?”

“No, but she’s been acting realy strange every time she’s around the boys,” Irelyn admitted, her cheeks flushing as she awkwardly fiddled with her order pad. “I kind of think that she fantasizes about al of us being with a member of Out Back.” I snorted. “You sound like one of your stories.”

Grinned sheepishly, she shrugged. “Maybe that’s not entirely true but I’m pretty sure she likes Col in.” I shook a couple grains of salt on the table to run my finger through, biting back the words I longed to spew. “Why doesn’t she just tel him?”

“Come on, you know how shy she is.”

I nodded in agreement as my aching head spun. “Did you tel Lucas?”

“Yeah,” she sighed as she slid her elbows on the table. “I did. I thought maybe he might talk to Col in or something but Lucas said it was a bad idea.” A spark of hope lit up my heart. “Real y? Why?”