20. Harper

20

HARPER

I was flying high as I went back to my register. I hadn't gotten a thing to eat on my break, but it was worth it to get a kiss like that from Edu. Technically, I still had ten minutes left of my break when I showed him the door, but it took me another five minutes just to find a way to wipe the silly grin off my face after his apology.

It was damn good. Maybe a little too good. It was nothing fancy, and he didn't go into detail about what he was sorry about, but somehow, that made it better. I could see it written all over his face how fucking bad he felt. I didn't need anything flowery. I just needed to know that he understood how much he hurt me.

So, now I was skipping back to my register with a grin on my face. Luna shook her head as she watched me turn my light back on.

"I take it things went well with Edu?"

"They may have."

"And you're seeing him again?"

I nodded, grinning like an idiot, but I had to keep in mind that it was only sex. If I didn't keep that in the forefront, I might start to wish and want things that I knew weren't possible. And then my heart would only get shattered into tiny fragments that I would have no hope of ever putting back together .

"Tonight."

"Ooh."

"He told me to pack a bag."

"Girl, you're damn lucky. How did you do it?"

"I'm not really sure. I think it was all because of Fox."

"The singing guy?"

"Yep. If it wasn't for him and the amazing timing of my grandma, I might never have gone home with him last night."

"What does she think of him?"

"It's hard to say."

Her eyes zoomed in on the ring I'd tried to keep hidden all day, but it must have turned over. "Girl, what is that?"

"Oh, it's just a ring."

"That's an engagement ring!" she shrieked, coming out from behind her register. She grabbed my hand and pulled it closer to examine. "It's fucking gorgeous."

"It is, but it doesn't mean anything. He only got it for me for appearance's sake."

"Girl, this ring couldn't have been cheap. Are you gonna give it back?"

I'd already thought of that last night after our fight. But when I walked out the door this morning, I just couldn't stand to part with it yet. But I knew I couldn't keep it. He didn't give it to me out of love. It was all a ruse.

"As soon as Gram is out of the picture. She was still at the house when I left this morning. And I don't know how long she's planning to stay."

"Well, let's hope she stays for a while. That ring is beautiful."

I stared down at it with a smile, but the longer I looked at it, the more I realized it was better if I took it off. Wearing it only made me feel like I was living a dream.

"Actually, I hope she leaves soon. It's better for things to go back to normal."

Her face dropped and I knew she could see the sadness in my eyes. "Harper?— "

"It's fine. I mean, it's not like I love the guy. But this ring is a reminder of what I could have if I ever found someone who—who wanted that life with me. And we both know Edu is not that man. He's made that perfectly clear." I took a deep breath. "So, the sooner this ends, the sooner I can look for Mr. Right."

She grinned at me. "Maybe you'll meet a Highlander."

"Or James Earl Jones," I laughed.

After that, the day flew by. I had hoped Gram and Grandpa would take off during the day, but when I received a text from Oliver asking if I would be home to go out to dinner, my hopes were dashed.

Me: Can't. Going out with Edu tonight!

The dots bounced back at me for five minutes until they finally stopped. No message followed, and I could only imagine the anger on Oliver's face as he tried to compose a text with a nice way of telling me to let the bastard go. He didn't know that Oliver came to apologize, and he probably wouldn't care if he did.

Anticipation for this evening's activities had me rushing home to prep my body. I wasn't wholly prepared the last time, and I wanted to make sure that when he examined every inch of my body tonight, there was nothing left to be desired.

I lathered and scrubbed every last inch of my skin, making sure I was silky smooth by the end. I spent way more time on my hair than I should have, considering it was only going to get messed up later. And when I finished with that, I rushed to my closet to find the perfect outfit. But as I pushed hanger after hanger aside, I realized I had nothing to wear that would be sexy enough for what I had in mind.

"What are you doing?" Oliver asked as I started throwing clothes from my closet onto the bed.

"Trying to find something to wear tonight."

He stepped further into my room and closed the door behind him. "Why are you going out with him after what he did?" Oliver hissed.

"He came to the grocery store and apologized today."

I felt his hand on my arm right before he dragged me to face him. The concern and anger on his face was exactly how I'd imagined.

"Don't do this. He's not worth it. "

"It's just sex," I said, my face in a permanent grin.

But his eyes saw way more than I wanted. "It's not to you. He's using you."

"And I'm using him. Trust me, I know what's going on here."

"Yeah? And what about the next time he says or does something to hurt you? Are you going to forgive him so easily?"

"It was one mistake. Do you know how many times I've said things I wished I hadn't?"

"Yeah, you say stupid shit, but it's always flattering. This guy insulted you."

I jerked out of his grasp. I didn't want to hear anymore. "He apologized. He was sincere about it. There's no harm in giving him a second chance."

"A second chance that will blow up in your face," Oliver spat. "Harper, I don't trust this guy."

"Why? Because he didn't immediately fall at my feet and promise to love me forever?" Oliver's back stiffened. "Not everyone can have a love like Mom and Dad. And I'm not looking for that with Edu. I find him attractive and I'm having fun with him."

"Just as long as you remember that he's never going to settle down for more."

A pang of hurt flashed through me at his words. Yes, I knew Edu was a short-term prospect, but I could still feel the ring on my finger. I still wanted to know what it would be like if the butterflies in my stomach were because he was taking me out on a date instead of promising to give me a good time in the sack.

"I know what I'm doing," I snapped.

His whole face hardened, but he said nothing more. "Grams and Grandpa are leaving tomorrow. I know they'd like to have breakfast with us before you go."

I nodded. "I have tomorrow off. I'll be home early."

"Make sure you are. And don't bring him with. The last thing we need is for them to think he's going to marry you."

I held up my finger, raising an eyebrow at him. "That was sort of the point, remember?"

"You're lying to yourself just as much as you are to them. "

"Hey, remember that it was Edu who got you the job at the shop."

"It was Duke, actually. But you keep telling yourself whatever you want about the guy."

He walked out the door, closing it behind him. I wasn't sure what pissed me off more. That he was so judgmental about Edu, or that deep down, I knew he was right.

It didn't matter, though. I was going to have a good time tonight and think about everything else later. I finished packing my bag and walked out, smiling at Gram as she yelled at Grandpa about hitting the wrong buttons on the remote.

"Hey!" I grinned, walking over to them. "I'm going to see Edu, but I'll be back before you leave tomorrow."

She eyed the bag and smiled. "Bring him to breakfast."

"Well, I can't promise anything. I don't know what his work schedule is."

I caught the glare Oliver shot my way out of the corner of my eye, but ignored him.

"Give him our best, and try and get a date out of him tonight. We need to put it on our calendars."

"I will. Love you."

I squeezed her tight, happy that for once, I wasn't the subject of her ire. It felt nice to not be the screwup. They were always so proud of Oliver. I wanted that for myself. It just sucked that the only reason they felt that way was because they thought I was getting married.

"I'll see you in the morning."

I tried to be happy as I walked out the door, but between Oliver's words and my own insecurities about the way my grandparents viewed me, it was hard to put a smile on my face. But the moment Edu pulled up, I ignored the nagging feeling at the back of my mind and got in before my grandparents could hound him.

"Hey, beautiful," he smiled.

I leaned across the seat and kissed him. "Take me home and fuck me."

The sexy grin on his face was all it took to put me in the right mood again.

I panted hard as Edu pushed me through the door, tearing at my clothes. My nipples strained against the fabric of my bra as his lips skimmed down my neck, between my breasts.

"Edu," I gasped, pulling his mouth to my breast. His teeth nipped at my nipple as his hand slid down to my pants, undoing the button and tearing them open.

His hand gripped the back of my thigh, hoisting me up against him. I wrapped my legs around his waist and held on as he carried me down the hall into his bedroom. But we never made it to the bed.

He spun and pushed me up against the wall, nudging his knee between my legs. I moaned as his knee rubbed against my pussy. The stud in my clit pinched, making me groan at the contact. As if that was the reminder he needed, he dropped to his knees, shedding me of my jeans in the next instant.

I gasped as his hot breath hit my pussy.

"Fuck, that's sexy."

And then his lips were on me, sucking the stud into his mouth as his fingers slid through the moisture building at my center. My fingers knifed into his short hair, grasping anything I could as his mouth went to work, bringing me to orgasm. It didn't take long for him to return the favor, as he said. I was so high on the feel of his tongue on me that I instantly went into a state of shock. My legs shook with every stroke of his tongue against me, and when he thrust his fingers into my soaked cunt, I was lost.

"Edu!" I cried out, tossing my head back. It bounced off the wall, but I didn't notice any pain other than the sharp need rushing through me.

He tore his lips from me and picked me up, carrying me over to the bed. My limp body was easily pliable in his arms. "Don't go to sleep on me," he growled, kissing me hard and bringing me back to the present.

I felt his thick cock between my legs, completely unaware of when he rid himself of his clothes. I slid my arms around his neck as he thrust deep inside me. His dark eyes snapped to mine as I let out the most indecent moan. Fuck, it was the best feeling in the world.

"Stay with me, Harper."

"Where would I go?" I asked as he pulled out and thrust back inside me.

"Off to dreamland."

I grinned up at him. "I'm already there. No need to think about anything else."

"Good." His hand slid down my chest, cupping my breast in his large hand. "These fucking tits," he growled. "Do you know what they do to me?"

I shook my head. "Tell me."

"Has anyone ever fucked you?"

I looked at him in confusion, not understanding.

Both hands cupped my breasts, pushing them together. "Here." His thumbs brushed over my nipples as he pumped in and out of me. "Fuck, to see my cock thrusting in and out of your tits…"

"Show me," I panted, feeling my body gush with need at his words.

He pulled out, moving until he sat just below my breasts. Something about the way he straddled me made my pussy throb. He grabbed my nipples, pulling them upright as he jiggled my boobs, sending shocks straight to my pussy.

Every move he made, he watched my eyes, waiting for the reaction he wanted. I briefly wondered if he did this with all the women he bedded, but pushed the thoughts from my mind as he pinched my nipples one last time. I gasped at the pain and pleasure that rushed through me. I had no idea I liked my nipples played with so much.

"Have you ever thought of getting these pierced?"

I shook my head.

"Fuck, just imagine a barbell through these. I'd suck them in my mouth and make you come just from the feel of my tongue on your tits."

My body jerked as spasms shot through me at his words. Then he shoved his cock between my breasts, pushing them together as he watched me intently. In and out, his cock moved between my breasts. My body was on fire, needing something that was just out of reach, but I was at his command. I would do whatever he wanted without question.

"Open your mouth."

I instantly opened, but when I couldn't reach his cock, he shoved pillows under my head, making it easier for me. He pushed my breasts back together and thrust through again, this time hitting my tongue. I licked the crown, earning me a low growl. He did it over and over again, watching my tongue as I lapped at his cock.

He grabbed both nipples, holding them together in one hand, then reached back with the other and slid his fingers through my pussy. "Fucking soaked," he grumbled. "How would you feel if my cock was choking you?"

My pussy clenched around his fingers as I came hard from his words. His fingers slid in and out of me, pumping hard through my orgasm. By the time it died down, he released my breasts and moved up around my throat, thrusting to the back. I willingly took him, sucking him hard as he pumped in and out of me.

"Fuck, take it all," he growled. "Take my cock and suck it. Make me cum in that pretty mouth."

I could scarcely breathe around the thick length of his cock shoved deep inside me. I hollowed my cheeks and sucked him harder, wanting and needing to fulfill his wishes. And every second that passed had me working harder to make him come in my mouth. I wanted to feel his hot cum sliding over my tongue and down my throat.

"Fucking hell!" he shouted, grabbing me by the back of my hair. He lifted my head and fucked me hard. I didn't even have a chance to suck on him as he used my mouth for his own pleasure. I gladly handed myself over to him as my cream soaked my thighs. I groaned as he hit a particularly deep spot. Then I felt his fingers grasp my stud and give a sharp tug.

I came apart the next instant, my whole body shaking as he thrust inside me one last time and held his cock deep inside my throat. Hot cum spurted over and over, sliding past my tongue until I felt like I would gag. His fist slammed into the wall above my head as he cursed under his breath .

When he finally pulled out, I gasped for air, feeling like I was on the verge of passing out. He ran his cock over my lips, then traced a small amount of cum over them. I licked the remnants, staring at him the whole time, unable to tear my gaze from his.

Finally, he bent over and crushed his lips to mine, shoving his tongue inside my mouth. "We're not done yet."