Page 3 of Unexpected Love

Joe lifts me up to my feet and then kisses my lips, unconcerned about the fact I just had his come in my mouth. His tongue snakes inside, and my arms wind around his neck. I feel us moving until I’m flat on my back and he’s half on me and half on the bed. “Stay with me tonight,” he tells me.

“Okay.” Joe situates us, my back firmly against his front. His arms wrap around me tight, and it doesn’t take long before my eyes drift shut.

***

My eyes flutter open as sunlight peeks through the opening in the curtains. Joe’s arm is still wrapped around me, hugging me close. Carefully, I pull his arm up and slide out of the bed. The bedside clock say it’s seven in the morning, so I’ve had a total of three hours of sleep, and I have to be at the airport in two hours.

The ache between my legs is going to be a reminder of the amazing night I had. Joe woke me up shortly after I’d fallen asleep after his blowjob, and he ate my pussy until I came all over his face. Then he’d fucked me so hard that when I came I almost passed out.

I watch him sleep as I slip my dress and heels back on. Quietly, I move to the door, even though I feel guilty about leaving like this. Of course, knowing his reputation, he’ll probably be grateful that he doesn’t have to kick me out of his bed.

I open the door slowly and quietly back out of his room, letting the door shut as soft as possible. I turn around and let out a scream but quickly cover my mouth.

Fuck…My…Life! I stare at my pops; my brother, Carter; my older cousin Stacy, who I call Tay Tay; her husband, Dustin, who is also Joe’s uncle; and Violet’s parents. I’m a grown woman, but right now I feel like I’m fifteen again and getting caught sneaking out to meet a boy. In my head, I chant over and over: be cool, be cool.

“Good morning! How’re y’all doing? I’m just going to grab a coffee downstairs. Does anyone want one?” Before they can answer, I hustle down the hall to my room and quickly slip my keycard in the door. When it turns green, I open it and escape inside. Carter slips through the door before it closes.

“The walk of shame? Seriously?” He chuckles before he plops down on my bed.

“Oh, shut the hell up.” I sit down next to him and bury my face in my hands. “That was so humiliating. What are you doing up so early?” My brother is one of my best friends, even though he’s three years younger than I am.

“Dad woke me and Pops up, so we left him to snore in peace and we had breakfast.”

I rest my head on Carter’s shoulder. “I’m so stupid. I slept with Joe.”

“Violet’s cousin Joe?” He bumps me with his shoulder. “Get ’em, you cradle robber.”

Around anyone else, my brother doesn’t say much, and right about now I wish it was true with me, too. “Shut your pie hole. It was stupid, I know it, but ugh…I’m not talking to you about this.”

“Good. I don’t want to hear about my sister’s sex life. My stomach is turning just at the thought. You better get ready. We’ll have to get you to the airport in two hours.”

I unfortunately can’t stay. I wasn’t able to get anyone to cover my shift on Monday, and one of my co-workers is always trying to get me fired, so I can’t push it. Who knows what she’d try to do?

For the past six years, I’ve worked at Harmon Jewelry, a family-run business. I started out in retail, and then my boss saw my design book and had me make a couple of pieces; he hired me as a designer right on the spot. Hailey is the other designer, and she’s always been jealous of me. It’s not my fault my sales are better than hers—I’m just always able to capture the look that the client wants.

“I hate that I’m missing brunch and presents. Fucking Hailey!” I climb off the bed, grab my stuff, and head into the bathroom. After a quick shower, I pull the rubber band out of my hair and brush it out before throwing it back up. I skip makeup and just moisturize and brush my teeth.

I throw on jean shorts and a tank top. I slip my feet into my black Adidas and tie my cardigan around my waist. After shoving everything into my bag, I step back into my room and find Carter gone and Joe standing in the middle of the room with two cups of coffee.

He holds one out to me. “Your brother said you’d need this.”

I take it from him. “Thanks. What are you doing here?”

His deep voice rumbles. “I woke up and you were gone. I ran into your dad in the hall, and he said you were getting ready to head to the airport. I’m here to offer my services.” I take a sip from my coffee cup.

“You want to take me to the airport? Why?”

“Why not? Maybe I’m just a nice guy and want to spend a little more time with you before you go.”

Wow, I was not expecting that. “Okay, sure.”

I move through the room and make sure I have everything. Joe doesn’t say anything, but I can feel his eyes on me as I move throughout the suddenly small space. His woodsy scent fills my nose, and pieces of the night before flash through my mind, making my nipples tingle. He’s got the kind of stamina that I thought was only possible in romance novels.

Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I pick my coffee up off the table. “I’m ready.”

Joe, being the gentleman, takes my bag from me. He holds the door open for me, so I pass by and step out into the hall. In companionable silence, we walk side by side to the elevator and ride down to the lobby.

My dad is waiting to get on the elevator when the doors open. “Hey, Dad.” He wraps his arms around me, hugging me tight.

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