Page 10 of Hard to Love

Sitting down across from me, One gives Hardy no choice but to sit beside me. Fuck my life. He smells like sex. And sin. I lick my lips mindlessly before sinking my teeth in my bottom lip. Hardy releases a long breath.

Butterflies erupt in my belly when his warm breath passes over me. Shifting in his seat, his leg rubs against mine, making me squeeze my thighs together from the contact. When he notices, he leaves his leg, so it continues to touch mine.

Chills race up my back, and my nipples pebble as the heat between us rises. I glance at Hardy when he takes a ragged breath. I can feel my face burn from the sexual tension between us. So my brother points it out.

“You okay, Thayer? You look flushed!” One exclaims.

“I’m fine.” My voice cracks, making the words come out high-pitched, making Christy spit her drink across the table at Chord. She begins to cough, playing it off like she’s choking.

Chord and One gape at Christy as she pretends to struggle for air. I side-eye Hardy and find he’s staring at me, smirking. Looking back at Christy, One reaches over to pat her on the back. Hardy’s hand slips from his thigh to mine.

Jumping from the contact, the table tips. Everyone makes a grab for it, except for me; I haul ass into the house. I’ll be damned if I allow him to touch me after the things we said to each other. Well, I’ll be damned if I allow it to affect me like he wants it to.

I hightail it to the bathroom, slamming the door behind me. Leaning against it, I steady my breathing. Closing my eyes, I inhale. Hardy invades all of my senses, and I’m pulled back into our weekend together.

Forcing him from my mind, I race to the sink to wet a cold washcloth, hoping to cool myself down. Working to control my body’s reaction to him. It’s impossible; I’ve been lost to him since I first laid eyes on him. I hunted him down and brought him home with me.

He’s playing with me; that’s all this is—a game. I’m not playing; I’ll avoid him like the plague for the rest of the night. I look at myself in the mirror and steel my nerves. Jerking the bathroom door open, I stumble as I find Hardy waiting on me.

Pushing me back through the door, he reaches behind him to lock it. He stands there, two inches from my face. My arms are crossed over my chest to help hide my ridiculous reaction from being this close to him.

Not a word is spoken; we just stare at each other. He pulls his hand from behind his back with one fluid motion, wrapping it around my neck and pulls me to his lips. Holding my lips firm, I refuse him the best I can. Never giving him the access or reaction he so desires.

Hardy tangles his hand in my hair as he seeks to get closer to me. When he slips his right hand on my hip, pressing me into his throbbing erection, he gets his opening. I gasp at the size of his girth and in appreciation of his desire.

He wastes no time as his tongue darts between my lips. Wrestling with mine when I no longer fight him. Hardy devours my mouth, plundering deep with his tongue. Only releasing it long enough to nip at my bottom lip.

Moaning my evident admiration for his delectable mouth, he consumes mine again. His hand moves down my thigh before he hitches it on his hip. It gives him the leverage he needs to twist us around, pinning me to the door in his place.

The opportunity he needs to grind his ever-growing cock against me sends us both into a tailspin. Lifting my leg to hook around him, he holds me between the door and his hard body. The position allows me to wrap my other leg around him. Hardy gladly accepts it as he palms my ass.

Still, not a word is spoken as our bodies connect with sweet friction in my mother’s downstairs bathroom. The thought alone should send my libido plunging. The heightened risk we’re taking just throws gas on the fire. Hardy’s cock thrusting against the seam of my shorts slowly adds pressure until he sends me over the edge.

Squeezing my eyes tight, bright lights explode behind them as my orgasm washes over me. Hardy locks his mouth onto mine, helping to keep my moans from being heard. When I open my eyes, it’s his, I see. Watching me as I come down from my high.

We stand, locked around one another, trying to catch our breath. His gaze never leaving mine, his touch becoming soft. Reaching up, I remove my lipstick from the curve of his bottom lip. He loosens his grip on me, and I slide down his body until my toes touch the floor.

Still pressed against one another, he leans his forehead against mine. After a minute or so, Hardy finally breaks the silence. “Now, do you understand? I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I want you.”

Stepping around me, he’s gone as fast as he came. Leaving me standing in the hall bath, feeling confused. Feeling wanton. Feeling like I just lost the love of my life.

I fall against the door. My legs feel like a baby giraffe trying to stand. Holy crow, is that what a real orgasm feels like? Oh, no. I just had my first orgasm with Hardy by way of dry humping.

Chapter Seven

Hardy

Fuck.

Fuck.

What the fuck did I just do? I bolt out of the front door, jumping in my truck. Running. Like I always do when I’m about to feel anything, I run. This time, it’s better than staying.

I can’t do this to Thayer; she deserves so much better. I’m no good, never have been. Yeah, I have a great job. I love where I live. I’ve changed but not enough for her.

Not enough for her brother. One will never accept this—us. Hell, I can’t even wrap my head around it, but damn if I don’t want her wrapped around me.

What the fuck? Why did I follow her? Watching her lick her lips, soft and supple as they are, I wanted her. And I’ll be damned if she didn’t bite down, all because I was touching her.