Page 55 of A New Era

Trailing his tongue up my inner thigh, I lean back on my hands and let my head fall back with a gasp.

He peppers the top of my thigh with soft kisses and then kisses my clit. His warm breath hits me just right and I inhale deeply. Flicking the tip of his tongue continuously against my core, my breathing becomes heavily laboured. When he sucks on my clit, the building orgasm doesn’t creep up on me, it comes fast and I roll my hips, needing to move and reach climax faster. Every flick of his tongue, every suckle, it all drives me hard but when he slips a finger inside me, then two, and works me over with both his mouth and his fingers, I come hard.

“Feel better?” he asks, sitting up and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

Though I do feel better, I’m unable to speak.

* * *

Trying to get Rayna to concentrate on her sums is like trying to stay dry in the shower. It’s not happening. A knock at the door further distracts her and my warning to sit still goes unheard. By the time I’ve reached the hall, she’s bounding past me and up to her room.

Throwing open the door, I’m surprised to see Beth.

“This was delivered at the gate, I thought it was the perfect time to come see you and explain.”

She goes to step inside, but I have no room in me to let her into my home again. I take the box from her and make it obvious if she wants to have this conversation, it’s happening on the doorstep.

“I deserve that.” She smiles sadly. “I’m sorry, Holly. I really am. But I didn’t tell him you drove me into town.”

“Gee, thanks. Under the circumstances, I think that’s the least you could’ve done.”

“Yeah. He’s a good man most of the time and now he’ll be good to me. He can change…” I can’t help but tune out of her pity party and that’s all I feel for her, pity. He won’t change. He won’t stay a good man. Sadly, she refuses to see it.

“So, yeah, I’m sorry and I hope we can put this behind us?”

“Of course.” I smile brightly. “I’m glad it’s worked out for you, but I must get on, I’ve got so much to do today.”

“Maybe we can have a drink in the bar tonight?”

“Yeah, maybe.”

Closing the door, I exhale long and hard and put her in the past. It wasn’t a lie that I’ve got a lot to do but I don’t need to do it all today. I just wanted her gone from the house. From now on, I won’t be getting involved in anyone’s business again. It’s safer that way and Leo won’t have to go around breaking people’s noses.

* * *

“Don’t feel sorry for her, she knew what she was doing,” Harper says and Nina nods in agreement.

They’ve listened to the whole Beth and Jonah story over the last ten minutes, and I didn’t realise how much I needed to vent to my girls. These women don’t use me. They’re my family.

“To be fair, any one of us would’ve helped if she had come to us, and by the sounds of it, she’s got issues and you know how that is, you felt a connection to her. This isn’t on you at all,” Nina adds.

Across the bar, Beth is sitting on Jonah’s lap, giggling, and having a good time. He kisses her neck, and she soothingly strokes his hair as they talk with brothers. I need to let this go because they clearly have.

“Here you are,” Leo says, leaning down to kiss the top of my head. The next thing I know I’m up in the air and then sitting on his lap. Zach and JJ join Nina and Harper.

“Rayna’s having a sleepover with Sebastian at Kristen’s.”

His grin turns dirty, and I know what to expect when we get home. He lifts his hand in the air to get the prospect's attention and a minute later, beers are passed around the table.

“I swear to fuckin’ God, if you walk out again, I will tie you the fuck up and lock you up at home till the end of fuckin’ days!”

Everyone goes quiet and all eyes turn to Mason hollering at Aspen.

“Here we go again,” Harper murmurs.

Leo sighs but he doesn’t say anything. He watches on as we all do.

“Mason fucking Simmons, you keep yelling at me and I’ll tie you up and lock you the fuck up!” Aspen shrieks.

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