Fool Me Once (Bad Boy Romance) Read online

  “Me too. Come in,” I told her.

  “Does this mean he’s going to want the house?” she teased.

  I laughed. “I hope not, but if he decides he wants it, I’ll have to give it to him. I could always buy some land and build my own, I suppose.”

  She shook her head. “I think your parents are going to want you to stay right where you are. You might want to think about building a taller fence though,” she teased.

  “I saw my dad looking out the window. I think he was checking to see if I have a view of their house. He was making sure he had his privacy,” I said with a laugh.

  “I like the idea of a little family compound. You have enough space between you to maintain your privacy, but you can check up on each other. They are getting older and might need your help,” she advised.

  I rolled my eyes. “My dad would never ask me for help.”

  “That’s what you think now, and I used to think my mom would never want my help, but when the going got tough, she was happy to accept it.”

  I nodded, believing her. “I think my mom is going to make it her personal goal to put fifty pounds on me before winter sets in. He was just telling me she is baking and that we have to go by in a bit and get some goodies.”

  “Oh gee, you might have to force me,” she said dryly. “If the two of our moms got together, they could open a restaurant. It would be the best restaurant in town.”

  “Hey, that’s not a bad idea,” I said, mulling it over.

  “I was kidding.”

  I laughed, pulling her onto the couch to sit on my lap. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close and never wanting to let go. I thought about how lucky I was to have both my parents right next door. My dad and I didn’t have the best relationship, but it was changing. I couldn’t imagine what my life would be without him in it. I couldn’t imagine how painful it must have been for Evie to lose her dad in the harshest of circumstances.

  “Have you told your mom about seeing your dad?” I asked her.

  “Nope and I’m not going to. At first, I felt a little guilty about keeping it from her, but it does no good for her to know he’s moved on with his life. It took her a long time to get to where she is today, and I don’t want to risk setting her back. She’s better off without him. He made his choice and he will have to live with it. If she knows where he is, she’ll try and reach out and apologize. She has nothing to be sorry for and she is way too good to even hear his lame excuses.”

  I nodded. “I agree. Your mom is a really good lady. I hope she finds a husband that will treat her right.”

  “I think it’s going to be a while before she’s ready to think like that. What he did to her really broke her. I mean, she’s picked herself up, but I know it still lingers in the back of her mind. She’s very self-conscious right now,” she said in a soft voice.

  “Self-conscious. Your mom is beautiful—for an older lady,” I quickly added.

  She smiled. “I know she is, but she doesn’t feel beautiful. The cancer took a lot from her, more than just her shitty husband.”

  “Was your dad mean to her?” I asked, suddenly angry for her.

  She shook her head. “Not during the marriage, but when he found out my mother was going to have a double mastectomy to increase her odds of beating the cancer, he couldn’t deal with it. He basically told her without breasts, she wasn’t good enough for him. It really, really hurt her. I will never be able to forgive him for what he did. He would have preferred she kept the cancerous tissue than have it removed,” she said with disgust. “She almost backed out of the surgery, but her doctor convinced her it was the best option. She struggles with the after-effects, but I think she is feeling a little better.”

  “Your mom had breast cancer?” I said, not realizing it had been breast cancer the woman had been battling.

  “Yes, stage three. I was terrified I was going to lose her,” she whispered.

  “I had no idea and I’m so sorry for what your father did. He is a disgusting piece of trash and I hope he stays in Utah,” I grumbled.

  “You know, there’s a chance I might develop it as well,” she whispered.

  I nodded. “I understand you have a higher risk.”

  “What my father did has left me a little paranoid. I don’t think I can live through what my mom did. I’m not that strong,” she said. “The surgery was bad enough, but to lose something that is quite literally a part of you and what so many people equate with beauty, it’s hard. She was brave. The millions of other woman who go through it are very brave. I’m not sure I’m that brave.”

  “I would be by your side through all of it. I would never let you go through that alone. I will love you through everything, sickness and health and testing and surgeries, all of it. I’m not your father,” I said firmly. “Your body is beautiful, but you, that woman inside, that’s what makes you beautiful. Your kind and generous nature and your willingness to go to bat for those you care about, that’s what I like.”

  She was quiet for a few seconds. “Did you say love?”

  I smiled, squeezing her tighter against me. “I did. I would love you no matter what.”

  “You’re a smooth talker, Mr. Black. A smooth talker who is about to get laid,” she said with a grin.

  “I think I should lock the door in case my mom decides to bring us some of whatever it is she’s baking,” I whispered.

  She slid off my lap. “Hold that thought. Give me five minutes and then meet me in the bedroom,” she said, picking up her bag and heading down the hallway.

  I smiled, watching her go, very excited for whatever it was she had brought. I loved a good surprise.

  Chapter 38

  Evie

  I had never done anything quite so daring, but I wanted to do something special for him. After what he had said to me, I felt brave enough to put myself out there. I fluffed my hair, smacked my lips to smooth out the gloss and turned to check to make sure the lacy hip huggers were fitted correctly. It wasn’t exactly tipping the sexy scale, but the lacy black bra and panties were a huge step for me. I had never really done anything like it.

  I would have preferred to have it be dark and my body lit by candlelight, but now felt right. We had shared a lot, and this was the next step. It wasn’t like he hadn’t seen every inch of my body. There was a soft knock on the door. “Can I come in?” he asked in a husky voice.

  “Yes,” I said, standing in the middle of the room.

  He opened the door, his eyes roaming over my body as he let out a loud whoosh of breath. “Damn, girl. You’re so fucking beautiful.”

  I did a slow turn, listening to him suck in the breath he’d just exhaled. I stopped, facing him again. His face was twisted as if he was in pain.

  “Dayton?”

  He shook his head. “How in the hell did I get so lucky? Where have you been all my life?”

  I smiled. “I’ve been right here.”

  “You are a dream come true. You are the dream I didn’t know I wanted. I can’t even be upset about my arm injury. Is it weird I’m almost happy my arm is shot?” he said, actually sounding bewildered.

  I couldn’t stop smiling. “I don’t think it’s weird. I think you’ve found a new path.”

  He nodded, stepping toward me. “You are on my path.”

  “I am.”

  “God, I want you so bad,” he groaned.

  I stepped to him and pulled his shirt up, letting him take it off before I went after the elastic waist of his basketball shorts and pushed them down his body, pulling his briefs down with them. I smiled when I saw he was already hard. I loved how turned on he could get by me. It was a huge rush of power and confidence.

  I grabbed his hand and walked him to the bed. “Lie down, get comfortable,” I told him.

  “Evie,” he said, his eyes going heavy-lidded as I pushed him onto the bed.

  He scooted up, resting his head on the pillows, his glorious body displayed for my pleasure. I let myself look, appreciating t
he view. I took in the long legs, the toned abs and the strength I could see vibrating through him.

  “Your body is amazing,” I told him, running the tip of my finger over his chest, down his abs and over his hips.

  He jerked, sucking in a breath through clenched teeth. I loved that he was on the edge. I wanted him writhing in ecstasy, begging for that release. I wanted to be the one holding the power.

  I climbed onto the bed, kneeling over him, but not touching him. I dropped my mouth to his, kissing him slow and gentle before ramping it up, plunging my tongue inside his mouth. His hands moved to my hips, sliding up my rib cage and back down, faster and faster, the friction making me hot and wet. I wasn’t going to let him make me orgasm, though, not yet.

  I pulled my mouth away from his, kissing over his pecs, dropping my chest to his stomach, rubbing my breasts over him. The lace heightened the pleasure as it scraped over my nipples. He groaned long and loud. My mouth moved to his stomach, kissing each ripple, causing the muscles to jerk under my lips. When my progress south landed me face to swollen cock, I didn’t hesitate. It was like jumping into a pool. I slid my mouth down, sucking him all the way in, him touching the back of my throat.

  I moaned, tasting him and relishing the feel of his power inside my mouth. I slid my teeth up his hard length, pulling a loud, intense moan from him. I sucked harder, my hands reaching up to stroke his belly, sliding down his hips as I bobbed my head. I could hear his moans and groans and felt like the sexiest woman in the world. I was making him crazy. I loved it.

  “Evie,” he growled.

  He was tugging at my head, trying to pull me off him. I wasn’t finished. I wanted all of him. He had other ideas. He yanked me up and tossed me on my back, coming over the top of me and slamming his mouth against mine. He was fierce, his body grinding against mine. One hand slid under me, unhooking the bra before jerking it off my body. With the bra off, his mouth pulled away from mine and dropped to my breasts, sucking hard on the nipple and pulling it into his mouth. I arched and squirmed under him. He was acting like a starving man, his hands tugging the panties down my legs. He dropped his mouth to my core, my panties lingering around my knees. His tongue delved between my folds, aggressively lapping and sucking at me.

  I heard a scream, realizing it was me after it echoed around the room. My body exploded. His tongue was magical, and I was not strong enough to fight back the orgasm. It was an intense eruption, coming from somewhere deep within me.

  I felt the panties pass my ankles and spread my legs, welcoming him inside my body. He slid inside me with one long stroke. I gasped, everything in the world feeling perfect in that moment. His mouth covered mine, a gentle kiss at first before intensifying. He didn’t move, his body throbbing inside mine.

  “God,” I groaned, looking into his eyes.

  He was watching me. I could feel the intensity deep within my soul. I felt like we were connected beyond our joined bodies. I had never experienced something so all-consuming in my life. I knew what it was. It slammed into me like a ton of bricks.

  “I love you.” I said the words as if they were impossible.

  It felt impossible. I could have never imagined I would ever fall in love and never with Dayton Black. His eyes softened. He kissed the tip of my nose.

  “I love you. This is the start of a new life for me. I’m so glad you’re with me.”

  He began moving again, sliding in and out of my body with agonizingly slow strokes. His body melded against mine. The way he was looking at me, the way his body moved against mine, it was so different than the other times we had been together. I realized what it was. He was making love to me. I was making love to him, showing him how much I loved him with every gasp and groan.

  “It’s too good,” I moaned, my eyes dropping closed.

  “Never. It can never be too good. You can never have too much of a good thing.”

  I felt tears sliding down my cheeks. I had never thought I would find a love like him. “Dayton,” I breathed.

  “I’ve got you,” he whispered, kissing away the tears as he continued to make love to me. He didn’t pause, didn’t miss a stroke as his body took mine higher and higher without being fast and hard.

  It was a slow spiral up and up until I was convinced I could touch the stars. I let out a long breath, the sound a low, keening noise as he pleasured me. I was lost. I was floating away, the orgasm sweet and all-consuming. It was better than any other orgasm I had ever experienced.

  I heard his own gasps and knew he was there with me. He grunted, his body stiffening as he released himself deep inside me. I wrapped my arms around him, hugging him tight against me. His body pressed against mine, all hot skin and hardness. I never wanted to let him go. I felt like we were born to be naked and pressed together for the rest of time.

  “I don’t want to let you go,” I told him.

  He chuckled. “I think we’ve had this discussion before.”

  “Can we promise to be naked like this whenever possible?” I asked him.

  He laughed again. “You don’t even have to ask. I will strip you down every chance I get.”

  I sighed. “Good.”

  He rolled to the side, breaking the contact and leaving me feeling a little empty without his body covering mine.

  “Want some of those goodies my mom was cooking?” he asked.

  I nodded. “Yes, in a minute. I need to recuperate.”

  He laughed. “I agree.”

  “Dayton, are you serious about staying in Hope?” I asked him, needing to know if he was going to leave me.

  He rolled to his side, stretching his arm across me. “Yes. I’m here for good. This is my house.”

  I sighed with relief. “Good.”

  “Do you mind having my parents next door?”

  “No, of course not,” I told him, finding the question kind of ridiculous.

  “Good. I want you to move in,” he said, shocking the hell out of me.

  “What?” I gasped.

  “You’re the one who said you wanted to be naked and pressed together as often as possible. I’m thinking that would happen a lot more often if you were living here,” he reasoned.

  My initial response was no, but then I realized there was no good reason to decline. I wanted to be with him. I knew we hadn’t known each other all that long, but it felt right. I’d always heard people say when you knew, you knew. I knew.

  “Okay.”

  He kissed my cheek. “Awesome! I hope you have furniture and stuff to make this place look homey.”

  I giggled. “I do. Not a lot, but I have some.”

  “Good. You can help me pick out the pool design. That thing is going in before the height of the summer,” he said.

  I laughed. “A pool design? Aren’t they rectangles? How hard can it be?”

  He went up on his elbow and looked at me. “How hard can it be? Very! Oh, wait until you see the designs. I did some browsing online on the flight back here. It’s a little overwhelming.”

  “I’d be happy to help you, but first, I want some of the goodies your mom made.”

  He jumped off the bed with a surprising amount of energy. “Let’s go. The sooner we get food, the sooner we can get naked. I’m going to get a hot tub put in, with a big fence,” he said.

  I blinked. “What?”

  “I’m rambling. I’m happy. I don’t remember being so happy.”

  I got off the bed a little slower than he had and dressed. I felt like I was in a dream. He was too good to be true.

  Chapter 39

  One year later

  I grabbed Evie’s hand, holding it in my lap as we sat in the dugout of my old team. It was a little strange to be back in the dugout. I had forgotten how it smelled and what it sounded like with the shouts and cheers bouncing around the stadium. Evie was nervous. She had tried to insist it was something I had to do on my own. I had to put my foot down and demand she join me. She was a part of my life and I wanted her there with me. I kind of neede
d her there for what I had planned.

  I was slated to throw out the opening pitch. My doctor assured me my shoulder would hold up as long as I didn’t try to throw a fast ball. I wasn’t even going to try. I was not interested in going through the hassle of rehabbing the arm again. I had grand plans for my future, and they didn’t include me wearing a restrictive sling.

  Victor walked into the dugout and sat down next to me. “You look good.”

  “Thank you. You look good as well. You’ve lost weight.”

  Victor chuckled. “It was lose weight or die. I chose to lay off the cheeseburgers and live.”

  I laughed. “Good choice. Thanks for letting me be a part of this.”

  “You know this is the least we could do for you,” he assured me. “You’ve got about three minutes. The rest of the team will be out here and then you know the song and dance.”

  I nodded. “Got it.”

  “I like him. Even though he got me fired, I like him,” Evie mumbled once Victor left us.

  I laughed. “He didn’t technically get you fired. He didn’t even know about it. It was the legal department. I thought you forgave him at dinner last night.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I may have forgiven him, but I haven’t forgotten.”

  “Evie, you have your job back. Tom took you back right away,” I reminded her.

  “It still pissed me off,” she grumbled.

  I laughed, loving her fire. We watched the opening ceremony and greeted the team with very few familiar faces. When it was my turn, I headed out to the mound, waving at the cheering crowd.

  “Hey everyone!” I said, taking the mike from the sound guy. “Thanks for having me back. I wasn’t sure the good people of San Francisco would let me back in the city!”

  “We love you Dayton!” a female voice echoed down from the stands.

  I laughed. “Good to know. I thought I’d pop in and see how you guys are treating my favorite team in the league. What do you think of this winning streak they’re on?”