Reaching Rachel Read online

  Swinging the car out into busy Friday night traffic, she headed for home, Justin’s headlights following closely behind her. A twinge of something nagged her—she couldn’t quite place the feeling. It kind of felt like regret. Or shame. Or guilt about what she was doing. How many guys over the years had she tried to use to fill the void in her heart that was left wide open, gaping, and oozing after the demise of her relationship with Devin? More than she cared to count, she knew.

  Pulling into the driveway of her house, she turned off the engine and watched as Justin pulled in behind her. Pursing her lips in the rear view mirror, she watched him stroll nonchalantly up to her door and pause. She smirked at her reflection, knowing she had him right where she wanted him. He was going to open the door for her.

  Justin opened the door. “Nice place,” he murmured, holding his hand out to help her. She smiled back, arching an eyebrow at him. As she swung her legs out of the car, her short skirt rode up higher, and his eyes immediately dropped to watch. Oh, yeah. He was hers.

  “Thank you,” she purred, purposely rubbing against him as she stood up. His eyes darkened, and he tightened his grip on her hand. Winking at him, she let go and closed the door of her car, walking ahead of him to the front door. He stood very closely behind her as she unlocked the door. She was taking her time, making him want.

  Stepping into the house, she put her keys down on the side table and turned to allow him to walk past her. As soon as she locked the door, he stepped closer, her back against the door. She took in a sharp breath at the proximity of him, and her lack of space. Breathing through the rising panic, she smiled, putting her hands on his broad chest to allow herself to step around him. His cologne infiltrated her nose, and her heart began racing with desire.

  “Want a tour?” Rachel began walking for the kitchen, Justin on her heels.

  “Of your bedroom,” Justin growled in her ear, his hands on her hips. He pressed into her, and she easily felt his excitement through her small skirt. She loved this part. Men were so easily molded. She had him right where she wanted him. Rachel turned, gripping the kitchen counter behind her. Justin dipped his head to kiss her as soon as she was facing him, and she lifted her head to allow him access.

  Pulling her against him, Justin devoured her mouth, his tongue tangling with hers. Rachel moaned as he rubbed himself against her. She put her hands against his muscular stomach, lifting his shirt to touch him. Justin bit and sucked her lips and tongue, turning his head to allow their kiss to deepen. He moved his hand down to her skirt, lifting it from the bottom to touch her. Rachel squirmed as he rubbed his finger along her lace thong. His rough fingers moved the small fabric aside and moved through her folds, teasing, then entering her. He was good at what he did, and she was going to take full advantage of that. He was just what she needed tonight, and a welcome surprise to bring home from Bert’s.

  Still kissing her deeply, one hand under her skirt and the other palming her through her bra, she groaned, giving away to the feeling. When she was like this, it was almost like she could completely forget. Everything was erased while she was being touched. Justin released her, picking her up by her slim hips and placing her roughly on the kitchen counter.

  “So. Hot,” he grunted, resuming where he left off. Rachel arched her back as his fingers found her again. With his other hand, he dropped his pants, springing himself free. Rachel watched, entranced. She hit the jackpot tonight. Reaching downward, she stroked him from root to tip, enjoying the breath that he hissed through his teeth at her soft yet firm touch.

  She continued her stroking, watching his heavy lidded eyes focused on her. Taking his fingers from her, he pulled her shirt off roughly, leaving her sitting in just her black lace bra.

  “Bedroom. Now.” Justin picked her up off the counter and set her on the floor, his eyes drinking her in hungrily. Rachel smirked, trying to regain control over the situation when it seemed Justin had tipped the scales in his direction.

  She reached her hand down again, cupping him with a slight grip. His eyes widened, and she winked at him. “Are you sure you are ready for this?” Rachel forced her voice to purr, knowing the power she had over men when she acted like the sex vixen she was.

  “Sweetheart, it’s either going to be right here, you bent over the kitchen counter and me pounding into you, or you’re going to take me to your bedroom. Now.” Without another word, Rachel turned and walked down the hall to her room, Justin hot on her heels.

  “Time to go,” Rachel announced, tying her robe around her. Justin rolled over, his eyes following her motion.

  “Really?” He sat up, rubbing his hand through his disheveled hair. His tanned, muscular chest was quite a contrast to her flowery, colorful bedspread. Justin was hot, that was for sure. He had shown her a very good time. But she had to stay smart. No one stayed over with her.

  She turned on her most flirtatious smile. “I told you, I don’t do sleep overs. It was a great time, babe, but it’s time to call it a night.”

  Justin groaned, the sheet falling off of him as he stood up. He was definitely built in all the right places, and Rachel had a slight urge to allow him to stay. For a fleeting moment. Wriggling into his pants, he winked at her. “Best night I’ve had in a long time, darlin’. Want to hook up again?”

  Rachel stepped up to him, eyeing him up and down. His jeans were unbuttoned, showing his chiseled stomach and V’s like an arrow into his jeans. He was mouth-watering. Did she want to see him again? Hell yes, she did.

  “Sounds good,” she agreed, running her long fingernail along his bare chest. Grabbing her finger, he put it in his mouth and began sucking, shooting electricity straight to her core.

  Justin’s eyes darkened and he pulled her to his chest, slipping open the robe that she had just tied. Cupping her breast, he rubbed himself against her, igniting her. “Sounds real good,” he agreed.

  Rachel wriggled, not wanting him to stay any longer even though sex with him had been hot and very, very satisfying. She was done for tonight. She needed to lay in her bed, remembering what she had lost. “See you around, Justin,” she said with finality, closing her robe.

  Scowling, he grabbed her behind. “I’ll call you tomorrow. I want to see you. Soon.” Buttoning up his jeans and shrugging his shirt on, he headed for the door. And just like that, Rachel could breathe again.

  “Where are you?” Justin’s voice came through the phone loudly. Rachel sighed, twirling her hair around her finger, staring at the computer screen. She had a million things to do before she could leave.

  “I’m at work,” she explained, irritated. Justin was just too clingy. She had been seeing him for a few weeks now, and while she had only wanted a casual thing, somehow Justin had convinced her to be more. She was feeling suffocated, however, and didn’t know how much longer she could stick it out with him. He was hot, yes, and the sex was beyond her greatest imagination. But he wanted too much of her, parts that she wasn’t going to share ever again.

  “Come on, Rach, you’ve been working a lot lately. Let’s go out and eat.”

  “Justin, I can’t. I have a ton of work to do. I’ll call you when I’m done here and if you want to come over, you can.”

  The line was silent. “Justin? You there?” Rachel tapped the keys on her computer, trying to work while pacifying him.

  “Yes.” Justin sounded annoyed. “Fine. I’ll see you later.” He hung up, leaving Rachel to narrow her eyes at her cell phone and plop it down on the desk.

  “Whatever,” she grumbled to herself. “This is exactly why I didn’t want to get involved with him. But, he just wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

  “Talking to yourself?” Jessica, a new therapist at In Loving Hands Therapy Center, walked into the front office. She was Rachel’s age, and had just moved from Michigan to their sunny state of Florida. Rachel really enjoyed talking to her, and occasionally they would spend time together outside of work.

  Rachel laughed, shaking her head. “Justin. He’s an
noyed that I’m still working. This is exactly why I didn’t want to get involved with him, but he just wouldn’t accept that as an answer. I can’t handle him sometimes. This is why I’m single. Or I was.”

  Jessica sat next to her, twirling her chair around to face her. “Are you sure that you can’t handle him? I mean, damn girl, that man is hot. And he seems to really like you. I think you just aren’t giving him a chance. You want to get rid of him already. Maybe you should pass him on over here.”

  Rachel snorted, shoving Jessica playfully. “That piece is mine,” she teased. “Unless of course I tire of him. You can’t share.”

  Jessica feigned sadness. “I wouldn’t throw that man out of my bed, Rach. I think you’re being too picky. You should be flattered he wants to spend all this time with you.”

  Rachel sighed, signing off of her computer. Maybe Jessica was right and she was just looking for an excuse to ditch Justin, like she always did. He was good to her. Tapping a text to him on her phone, she asked him where he was, that she was going to go ahead and leave work and would meet him. He responded immediately, saying he would meet her at one of their favorite sports bars, Fanz. She felt guilty for being short with him, and was glad that he didn’t seem to be annoyed with her anymore.

  Saying goodbye to Jessica, she locked the front door and walked out the back to her car. She would stop at home first and change so she didn’t have to meet Justin in her work clothes. Swinging out of the parking lot, she headed for her house.

  Almost there, her phone rang and she figured it was Justin asking her where she was. Hitting the Bluetooth option so she could take the call in the car, she was happy to realize it was Kayley, not Justin.

  “Kay!” Rachel said cheerfully. She missed her friend, who was busy raising three children and being married to the world’s most amazing husband, Ben.

  “Hey, Rach,” Kayley responded. “How are you, girl? I miss you tons! How’s Justin? Am I ever going to get to meet the hot guy that got my friend to commit?”

  Rachel scoffed. “Commit, I don’t know if I’d go that far. I’m keeping him around for now, that’s all I can say. You and Ben have plans tonight? We are headed to Fanz to grab some dinner and watch whatever sport Justin wants to go there for. You know I could care less.”

  “Actually, I was calling to see if you wanted to get together tonight. Ben’s mom and dad are over watching the kids and shoo-ing us out of the house. I’m sure Ben would love to come get some greasy fried food, a beer, and watch a game. Are you headed there now?”

  “I’m stopping at home first, then I’ll be there. Probably about 30 minutes.”

  “Mommy! Benji colored on the wall!” Rachel heard Kayley’s adorable five year old daughter, Alexis.

  Kayley sighed. “Well, looks like I need to remove a crayon from little Benji. I’ll see you there in a bit. I’ll call Em and see if she wants to come, too.”

  Rachel stepped into the restaurant, spotting Justin immediately. She watched him as she walked towards him. His eyes were all over her, undressing her, and she loved it.

  “Hey, babe,” Justin stood as she approached, pulling her to him and kissing her hard. Opening her mouth with his tongue, he immediately set her on fire as he did his magic. “This is a fabulous outfit that’s going to be on my floor tonight.”

  Rachel’s stomach furled with desire at his words. Dressed in a short denim skirt, a low cut tank top, and wedge sandals, with her red hair loose and curly, she knew she was hot. But his reaction to her made her think back to what Jessica said. She was right. Justin was a great guy who wanted her. She really needed to get over herself.

  “I can’t wait,” she purred in his ear. He pulled her to him, and she felt his excitement at their exchange. “You save that for me for later, and I promise I’ll show you a really, really good time.”

  Justin’s eyes darkened, and for a split second she thought he may be dragging her out of there right now. But he winked at her, recovered, and kissed her again. “I’ll be fantasizing about that every moment until then. Didn’t you say that your friends were coming?”

  Rachel turned, looking to the entrance just as Kayley, Ben, Emily, and her husband Trevor walked in. Her heart started beating erratically at the thought of introducing Justin to them. What if they didn’t get along? While Rachel had introduced them to many men over the time she had known them, with Justin it was different. He was trying to stick around. She wasn’t sure what her friends were going to think.

  Stepping back from Justin and linking her hand with his, she smiled as her friends made their way over to them. Kayley’s eyes looked at her, then Justin, and her eyebrows raised. Rachel knew exactly what she was thinking: 1. The man was hot, and 2. Rachel was holding hands with him.

  “So this is the infamous Justin,” Emily piped up, scanning him up and down abashedly. “I can see why you’ve been hiding him in your closet, Rach.”

  Rachel’s eyes widened at her friend, but before she could say anything, Kayley beat her to it. “Emily, please! Nice to meet you, Justin. I’m Kayley, and this is my husband, Ben.”

  Justin shook their hands, laughing, and they all settled down at the table to eat, drink, and watch the huge televisions on the walls.

  “He’s a looker, that’s for sure,” Kayley whispered to her as the men cheered loudly at the television up by the bar, leaving the girls sitting at the table to catch up.

  Rachel grinned at her. “I know, he definitely is,” she said, watching him interact with Ben and Trevor. “He seems to be getting along with the guys.”

  Kayley rolled her eyes. “It’s sports. Of course he’s getting along with them. He seems like a good guy, Rach. I’m happy to see you committing, feeling comfortable in a relationship.”

  “Me too,” Emily piped up. “Look at our men over there. Hottest guys in this whole place.”

  “Excuse me?” They were interrupted by a deep baritone voice. The three women turned to see a tall, handsome man around their ages standing next to their table. “Can I buy you ladies a drink?”

  The three laughed. “Well, we are actually with them over there,” Emily explained. “But thanks anyway.” The man followed their gaze, then looked back at them.

  “Well, they shouldn’t have left ladies as beautiful as you three alone to watch sports. Quite a shame.” Pulling out one of the chairs, he sat down next to Rachel.

  Rachel’s eyebrows raised at her two friends, all of them wondering how in the world to get rid of this guy. “Really,” she scooted her chair back. “They will be right back. Thanks so much for the offer, but we’re fine.”

  He leaned over, so close that she could feel his breath on her cheek. “How about I get your number? I can promise you that I would never leave you.”

  Rachel pinned him with a pointed look. “Listen. You obviously aren’t getting a clue. We don’t want a drink from you, so get lost.”

  Before the man could even respond, he was yanked back by his collar off of the chair. Rachel gasped at the sudden movement, and Kayley and Emily scooted back off their chairs, standing quickly. She looked back to see the man sprawled on the ground on his back, Justin standing over him with his chest heaving, his eyes wild, and his fists clenched.

  As she watched, unable to move, Justin yanked him up by his collar and got right in his face. “Stay the hell away from my girlfriend, jackass.” He pulled his fist back, as if to punch him, when Rachel found her voice.

  “Justin!” she yelled, stepping up to him. “Stop it. Let him go. It was no big deal.”

  Justin turned to her, his breath coming in short spurts and his eyes looking around wildly. “You’re defending him?” Spit came from Justin’s mouth, hitting her on the face.

  Wiping it away, she put her arm on Justin’s. “Let. It. Go, Justin. He just didn’t want to take no for an answer. He’ll leave now, okay?”

  He let go of the man, causing him to stumble backwards and fall. Gripping Rachel’s upper arm, he steered her away from the table.

&n
bsp; “Let’s go,” he demanded through gritted teeth. Rachel pulled her arm, trying to get away from him.

  “Justin,” she hissed. “Let go of me. I have go to say goodbye to my friends at least.” He didn’t respond or even look at her, he just kept walking. Still trying to wrench herself away, she could feel her blood pressure increasing. Looking back at her friends, who were watching her with mouths agape, she tried in vain to stop him from moving. He was just too strong.

  Pushing open the door to the restaurant, Justin’s fingers were pressing tightly into her arm, hurting her. “Justin, you’re hurting me,” she whimpered.

  He turned his head, looking at her out of the corner of his eye. The look in his eyes scared her, made her stomach drop out of place. “Maybe you shouldn’t have been flirting with him, Rachel! Once a slut, always a slut, I guess.”

  Her mouth dropped open at the venom in his voice. “What? I was trying to get him away from me! Ask Kayley and Emily! We told him to get lost!” He continued striding purposefully towards their cars, his face set in stone.

  “Get in,” he demanded, unlocking his truck and shoving her slightly, releasing her.

  Rachel rubbed her arm, the points where he had been touching burning from the pressure of his grip. “My car’s here, remember? I’ll see you later.” She turned to walk towards her car when she felt his hand close around her other arm.

  Gasping, she found herself face to face with him again. “Get. In. The. Truck.” Justin’s nostrils flared as he bit out each word.

  “What in the hell is your problem, Justin? You better get your damn hands off me, now. I’m getting in my own car and going to my own house, and you aren’t coming with me. How about that for making myself clear?” Rachel jerked her arm away from him and stepped back, furious. How dare he think he could treat her that way!

  Justin studied her for a moment, then sighed, running his fingers through his hair. “Rachel, listen,” he began, his voice soft. “I’m sorry. That guy totally freaked me out in there.”