Her Release (One Night Stand Book 3) Read online

  “Okay. I’ll bite.”

  “We’re at a friend’s.” Cole snapped open the door. “You can stay with her until we sort this out.”

  He was pissed. I got that. I wasn’t exactly happy myself, but Cole was a lot tenser than the situation warranted. It wasn’t like him to hold a grudge—not with me anyway. I cast him a speculative glance.

  “Anything I should know before I go in?”

  He threw me a dark look. “In another month, I’ll rent a house of my own down here.” Cole hauled my suitcases out of the trunk as if I hadn’t just asked a question. “Then you’ll live with me.”

  I turned away, my jaw tightening. I’d have to think of something before the month was up, or I’d be living like a spinster with Cole for the rest of my natural life. He was a great brother. Hell, he’d gone above and beyond the call of duty where brothers were concerned…and it was only this thought that kept me beside him and not bolting into the street to sleep on the nearest park bench.

  I needed my own life. And I needed it fast.

  As soon as I saw my brother’s ‘friend’, I knew something was up between them. Cole’s eyes were an icy storm as they locked on the hot blonde, who looked like her life had just been steam-rolled.

  I knew the feeling.

  I blew out a breath. Living here was going to be a barrel of laughs. The tension was so thick I found it hard to swallow. I stomped off to my new bedroom and slammed the door, fuming at my brother. Didn’t he think I had enough to deal with, without pulling me into his fucked-up situation?

  I was more than capable of creating my own messes. Like the fiasco with Van last night. My mother would have been in stitches about that little escapade. Usually I would see the funny side too, except in the harsh light of day, I wasn’t sure what to make of it.

  My face grew hot. With embarrassment…and something else. Regret maybe? Van was hot. And sweet. And he knew how to take care of a girl.

  Which is why it would never have worked. He was a man. A real man. He was much too grown up for me. Too capable. No. Van and Cole were peas in a pod. They both had hero complexes. Both thought they knew what I needed, better than I did. What did they know? They hadn’t been in that car accident, lying trapped beside Mom while the blood had drip, drip, dripped into the foot well, heard her breath bubble in her chest…

  I pressed my fingers into my forehead, trying to rid myself of images I’d rather forget. The mom I remembered was reckless and full of life, just like me. And in the end it hadn’t mattered. Taking risks was the fun part. It was what raised you out of the mundane…where your heart pumped, sweat prickled, adrenaline elevated you into awareness. You knew you were living.

  A pity Cole always put on the hand brake before I had a chance to fly. Thunder gathered behind my brow. On the scale of dangerous things, living with Mike and Brad barely hit a two. Okay, three, if you included the potential hazard of the black creeping mold in the bathroom. Renting there had made me feel slightly uncomfortable, but that was the point, wasn’t it? At least I’d felt something.

  I took a quick glance around my new room. No chance of furry things in these digs. Waaaaay too nice. Simple and elegant with an emphasis on quality. The apartment was on the second floor. French doors led to a little balcony that looked across a small, pristine park.

  A balcony. I got up to lean against the rail, a smile forming. I’d watched Romeo and Juliet with my mom. And with the fire escape, there was easy access for Romeo to climb my ivory tower should the need arise. Or Van? I imagined my dark prince leaping up the ladder, his arms working in beautiful poetry. Something clenched low in my belly. Hell, he probably wouldn’t even need the ladder.

  All in all, the apartment wasn’t a complete fail. Madison seemed nice, and I even let Cole coax me into a walk before dinner.

  “Which way do you want to go?” he asked as we started out.

  “Let’s follow the river.”

  “It’s nearly dark and the ground is a bit uneven. Shall we try down here instead?”

  Of course, this was why I could never live with my brother. Every time I went to do something, he’d already calculated the risks and deemed it dangerous. I loved him for it but I resented the hell out of it too.

  “Why do you bother asking if you’re just going to do your own thing, anyway?”

  “Okay. You pick next.” Cole gestured at the corner. “Left or right?”

  I rolled my eyes. They both looked the same. Smooth and straight. Excellent walking paths.

  “Which way has the potholes, avalanches, and goblins?” I goaded.

  “Whichever way you pick, most likely?” Cole quipped back.

  “Oh, ha ha. Right then.”

  “Left it is.” Cole swung in the opposite direction.

  “Oh my God. You suck.” I couldn’t hold back my laughter. “I think you’re the one who suffered an injury. A serious brain injury.”

  “Nah. Too hardheaded.” Cole tapped his fingers against his temple. “It’s from butting heads with you all my life.”

  “No wonder you give me a headache.”

  Cole might have come back with something else, except I had slowed to a stop. My pulse spiked into triple time. The street we’d turned down looked familiar. Very familiar. And so did the car parked on the side of the road.

  Van’s car.

  Van’s apartment.

  “Is your leg okay?” Cole frowned back at me. “You should be able to walk this far without limping.”

  “Yeah, I’m fine.” I picked up my pace, just wanting to get past the front door in case Van came busting out. “I tripped yesterday, that’s all,” I added when Cole kept casting worried glances my way.

  “Why the hell didn’t you say?” He jerked to a stop right outside Van’s door.

  “Because I’m fine,” I snapped. I kept walking.

  Discovering Vans’ car and the house where it had almost happened brought a fresh sweep of misgivings. Backing down didn’t sit well with me. I wasn’t scared to take a chance and I would usually never let my injury stop me doing anything. Yet last night, I’d bailed when things got tough. Big regret. I didn’t want anyone to think of me as weak.

  If I could do it all over again, it would be different.

  Or at least that was what I told myself when I climbed down the fire escape later that night. I had unfinished business to attend to. A jacket to return.

  And a balcony, goddammit.

  Chapter Six

  Jess

  The lights in Van’s apartment were on. I didn’t allow myself time to think about what I was doing. No hesitation. I crashed my fist into the door. One. Two. Three. My heart raced in time to the thumps. Shadow and light flickered behind the curtains of the nearest window.

  “Jess?” Van’s eyes widened as he opened the door. “What are you doing here?”

  “I wanted to return this.”

  I let his jacket slide off my shoulders, giving him a moment to take in the little cropped top that showed off the sparkle in my belly button. A long, black tube skirt hung low on my hips.

  Surprise turned to a grunt of appreciation when I stepped forward to kiss him. I pressed my lips against his for a moment before the stiffness in his chest receded and he kissed me back. His heart thudded beneath my fingers. Mine was beating just as hard. I loved the power of knowing I’d completely knocked Van on his ass by coming here. My nipples ached, my pussy wet and ready. I wanted to shove him to the ground and take him. No regrets.

  He pulled me with him as he stepped back into the apartment and closed the door at my back. Not wanting to give up my advantage, I pushed down my skirt, wriggling against him until it fell at my feet. I tugged at the hem of his T-shirt, fingers creeping up to spread across the warmth of his skin. I wanted to touch him. To give him everything.

  “Fuck. Jess.” Van pulled back, breathing hard. “I need to tell you—”

  “No talking.”

  I wasn’t giving him time for second thoughts. He wanted me. I wa
nted him. There was nothing else. I pushed his T-shirt farther up and snaked my tongue out to lap at his nipple. Van sunk into me with a groan. I kissed up his chest, nuzzling under his jaw line. He pressed me to him, wrapping his hands low around my back. I squealed when he picked me up and carried me to the nearest soft surface. The couch.

  Hello, old friend.

  Van’s eyes ate at me as he laid me down on the cushions. I was naked from my stomach down, except for a little scrap of froth at the vee of my thighs. I wriggled under his blatant, carnal smolder as his gaze skipped up and down me.

  He let out a hungry sound and I caught at his hand, tugging him down beside me. He laughed, low and rough, as he tried to maneuver so there was room for both of us.

  “I don’t know what it is about you and this couch,” he growled.

  “Shh.”

  I solved the problem by stretching myself over him like a blanket. I slid up his body, feeling the hard press of his cock against my belly, the delicious tingle of my nipples pushing at his chest as I rocked into him. My top rode up, revealing I wore no bra underneath.

  Breath hissed through Van’s teeth when his hands found the soft swell of my breasts. I dipped my head to kiss him and he nibbled at my lips, hands roving across me as if he didn’t know which hidden treasure to touch first.

  Another groan rumbled from his chest and he broke away, wrenching his mouth from me.

  “Jess, I really need to—”

  I covered his mouth with my hand.

  “I said no talking.” I shot him a warning look. “If you keep interrupting, I’ll have to stop and think about what I’m doing. And I don’t want to stop.”

  Van stiffened beneath me, his breath warm and heavy against my hand.

  “Do you want me to stop?” I murmured as I dropped to lick at his ear. He jerked upward, his cock a rigid brand pressing into my stomach. Shook his head.

  I peeled my fingers away, one by one.

  Van worked hard to swallow. He stared back at me, silent, eyes full of dark, unfulfilled promise. His heavy breath spelled out his every intention and a quiver of heat curled through my belly.

  I sank back into him, cupping his head as my lips parted against his mouth. His arm banded around my back, pulling me closer. As if he couldn’t get enough. As if he wanted to crawl inside my skin. His tongue licked into my mouth to tangle with mine, a soft thrust and retreat that made me wet in all the right places. I moved down, legs parting until the hardness of his jeans-clad cock nudged my pussy.

  It wasn’t enough. I shifted sideways, reaching down to undo his jeans. My leg wedged between his thigh and the back of the couch, spasming as I twisted around. I sucked in a breath, riding out the sudden flare of pain.

  Shit. Before I could retreat, Van slid out from beneath me.

  “Let’s try the bed,” he suggested.

  He carried me to the bedroom, his lips claiming mine when I tried to protest. My muffled argument turned to a moan of pleasure as his hand strayed precariously close to my ass. He laid me on the bed, towering over me, the bulge of his cock within touching distance.

  I licked my lips. “Take your clothes off,” I ordered.

  Van started with his shirt. He lifted it to reveal a well-toned chest with more than a hint of those muscles I’d felt pressed against me. I struggled up onto my elbows to get a better look. He played with the button of his pants and I bit my lip, my mouth watering at the anticipation of seeing him. Stripped down. Naked.

  The zipper was tugged apart. It seemed to take an age before his jeans slipped past his hips, revealing strong, contoured thighs and siren-red boxers that screamed a warning. They went next. My fingers curled into fists and I pressed one hand against my mouth. I wanted to see the whole of him in one delectable, panoramic view. My gaze slid downward, following the soft ripple of abs, the arrow of dark hair leading straight to the proud jut of his cock.

  He was beautiful.

  I took in the total, perfect package. Each ridge of muscle looked as though it had been lovingly crafted, every hollow pressed in place by the thumbs of gods. Doubt flashed like a shadow and I closed my eyes. How could he stand to see the mangled ruins of my own body in comparison?

  The bed dipped and I flicked my eyes open. Van knelt over me, hands on each side of my shoulders, caging me in. His expression was lost to pleasure, lips parted, eyes a dark smolder that burned wherever they landed. His focus was on me as if he were drinking in each soft breath, every flick of my lashes. He claimed my mouth, his hand running under my top to palm my breasts. I let out a gasp as he squeezed my nipple between finger and thumb.

  I couldn’t hold back any longer. I ran my nails down his sides, relishing each twitch of skin, the sensual arch of his back as I neared his hips. I retraced my path, circling his nipples with the tips of my fingers, running my hand down over his stomach until I reached the tops of his thighs. His legs drew apart and I ran my fingers from the crack of his ass, exploring his balls as they swung free. I cupped them in my palm, loving the weight of them, the feel of the silky, delicate skin in my hands.

  Van shifted and my concentration broke. A short, sharp tug at my waist and my panties were gone. He straddled my thighs, a wicked grin flashing as he sat back on his heels to survey me. He dropped a wink, then grabbed a pillow and folded it in half to prop under my left knee. Then one for my right, so I was splayed wide. His gaze slid down my torso, his grin fading the lower his gaze dropped. I got wet just watching him.

  He traced his hands up and down my sides and I let out a gasp as Van dipped down between my legs and laid an open-mouthed kiss on my pussy. His tongue rasped against my clit, a long, luscious lick and I writhed a little more, soft moans spilling from my lips. He rolled his tongue around my clit and worked one finger inside me. Slick heat created delicious friction. Another finger followed and he twisted them together as he dug deep, his mouth suctioning onto my clit. Pressure built low and fast, my muscles squeezing tight, centered on the exquisite lash of Van’s tongue swirling, licking, tasting.

  My nipples were achingly hard. Almost painful. I rubbed at my breasts, pinching the nubs between my fingers. Ahh. That felt good. I did it again, harder this time, squeezing and rolling my nipples in tempo to the darting probe of Van’s tongue. He scissored his fingers inside me, flicking against the perfect spot until a storm of heat gathered in my sex. My hands grasped at the air, seeking purchase as pleasure spilled over me. He kept working me with his tongue as I came, pressing against my clit, riding me through the orgasm until I collapsed exhausted into the softness of the bed.

  Van sat back. His gaze licked a trail of heat from my sex to my breasts. Erotic need swept over me at the sight of him devouring me with his eyes.

  “I want you. Now.” I breathed out my demand.

  His tongue darted out to touch his lips. Pink. Glistening. Another rush of hunger dampened my crotch, knowing where that mouth had just been…whose taste was on his tongue.

  Van grabbed a condom from the bedside drawer and ripped the wrapper with his teeth. Fuck. Even that was panty creaming. His cock was thick and hard and looked tasty. I shifted on the bed. I was ready. Wanting.

  “You okay?” Van dragged my attention back to his face.

  “Don’t talk.” I shook my head, a quick impatient jerk. “Just fuck.”

  I tugged him forward and Van crawled over top of me until he was positioned between my thighs. The head of his cock slid into the slick warmth at my entrance and my breath caught. I squeezed my lids shut.

  “Open your eyes,” he growled.

  Van stared at me, his face hard. Determined. My cry of pleasure when he pushed into me was swallowed by his mouth as he thrust deep. His cock stopped halfway in and he groaned, his hips moving in little rocking motions as he allowed me to get used to his size. He burrowed deeper until his length was fully inside. A tight, perfect fit. He broke the kiss. One more glance at me to make sure I was all right, then he did what I’d asked. Just fucked.

  He pulled m
y leg around his waist and gripped my hips. I had a moment to recognize he’d chosen my good leg, then the breath left my lungs as he surged in. Drew out. A sheen of sweat glowed on his forehead, the intensity of his gaze a burn against my skin, heightened by the slap of his thighs hitting my ass. Van held me in place, pulling me into him so I didn’t shunt up the bed each time he drove deep.

  His jaw was clenched tight, pleasure bleeding into his eyes, the air hot and heavy and sticky. I didn’t know whether I wanted to scream or moan, pleasure building up fast in my belly, my sex. I scraped my nails down his chest, rasping across the hard pebble of his nipple, causing Van to jerk inside me until the root of his cock was buried deep.

  “Yes,” I hissed, my eyes nearly rolling back in my head. “Fuck me. H-harder.”

  I wanted it rough. For him to lose control.

  He did as I asked, pistoning his hips, slamming into me. Faster. Harder. Van let out a strangled groan, his tempo bucking out of time with the rhythm as he fought to keep control. I locked my legs tight around him.

  “Oh. God. Yes. I’m gonna…come!”

  Pleasure swamped me in a wave, the tight knot in my belly spilling outward, engulfing me with sweet ecstasy. Van pinched his eyes shut, hips shoving forward one last time as he came with a shout. Sweat gleamed on his chest and I ran my finger through it, enjoying the shock wave as I drew a path over one nipple.

  Van collapsed on top of me. Spent. Trying to catch his breath. After a moment he rolled to the side. I tried to move but my legs were the consistency of jelly.

  Best workout ever.

  I turned my head as Van twined his fingers in mine. His smile of satisfaction was enough to poke the embers of interest. I just needed a moment to recover. I glanced around the room, taking note of the fact it was another bare offering.

  I frowned as I took a second, longer look. No more than a bed, a set of drawers, and a bedside table. The drawer stood open, testimony to his haste in grabbing a condom.

  “So you don’t have furniture, but you have condoms in the drawer?” I grinned a smug little smile of my own.