Crashing Hearts: An Oakport Beach Romance Read online

  Disappointment sinks into me, and I hate the feeling. I hate that I do want to try this thing between Crash and me. It’s stupid, irrational, and irresponsible, but my heart doesn’t seem to be getting the memo no matter how many pep-talks I give myself on why I shouldn’t want this.

  Sighing and shaking my head at myself, I begin to toss off my clothes, heading toward the shower. I smell like bug spray, horse, and barn, none of them flattering.

  Waiting for the shower to steam up, I wash my face and brush my teeth. I hope Crash isn’t a light sleeper; I don’t want to wake him. Unable to control myself, my thoughts go to him. By the time I finish, I’m more awake than I was before I came in.

  Keeping the towel wrapped around my body, I peer out of the room to be met with total darkness. Maybe if I have some warm milk it will help me fall asleep.

  My bare feet pad across the cold floor, my hands out in case I make a wrong turn into a wall, or worse, a piece of furniture.

  Coming to the kitchen, the fridge light invades the room as I pull out the milk. I keep the door open, as it gives me enough light to grab a glass and place the milk in the microwave to warm it. In a basement suite I once lived in, I only had a microwave. It’s surprising how many meals can be made with a microwave alone.

  As the microwave counts down, my finger hovers over the Stop button to be ready to press it before it finishes. The light from the fridge shines on me as I stir the now warm milk. Just as I bring the mug to my lips, an internal alarm for the fridge starts to sound from it staying open for so long. I forget about being quiet and forcefully shut the white door. Leaning against the now closed fridge, I take my time, practicing the breathing techniques I teach my patients. My body slowly becomes less restless, but I still don’t seem that much closer to sleep.

  Years of shift work has done this to me. There are nights my body won’t get the memo that it’s time to sleep. I’ve learned there is no use in trying, and I might as well do something. Sighing, I place my empty mug in the sink and begin to walk back toward my room.

  “Can’t sleep either?” Crash’s deep voice comes from the dark and causes me to scream. I jump back, not expecting him, and my towel slips from my hand.

  A small lamp turns on just as I resecure my towel around me. He’s lying on the couch, with gray sweatpants that hang dangerously low on his hips and his chest bare.

  “What the hell?” I croak, my heart galloping. My ears ring at my sudden movements while I catch my breath.

  “Sorry. When I can’t sleep, I come out here so I can watch the sky and the moon. It helps lull my mind.”

  “You could have said something when I first walked out,” I point out.

  Sitting up, he tilts his head, and a smirk plays on his lips. “Sorry. I thought you would have seen me from the fridge light.”

  He stands, our eyes staying on one another. They hold heat as he peers over at me. I have to force down the saliva collecting in my mouth. The same electricity from earlier coils around us, pulling our bodies closer to each other.

  Every nerve is synapsing, crackling under his predatory glare, making me feel alive. I watch as his gaze travels down my body. My hands fidget with my white towel as my weight shifts from one foot to the other. His fingers feather through a piece of my wet hair before he places it behind my shoulder, his fingertips brushing down my arm. The room seems to be getting smaller and hotter as we stand here facing each other. That sweet sensation of lust ripples through my blood, pooling between my thighs, and he’s barely touched me.

  I can hardly breathe, anticipating his lips on mine once again. He leans into me, and I wait, wanting this more than I’m willing to admit to myself. Slowly, he lowers his lips toward mine and presses a soft kiss there that has my lips craving more. It’s too tender, too everything.

  Pulling him in by his shoulders, I kiss him harder, and we fight for control. His hand cups my cheek, his other hand wrapping around my lower back. We’re skin-to-skin, the kiss now hard, needy, and passionate.

  “Want to play a game?” he asks, breaking our kiss. What I want to do is ride him long and hard. But I’m not surprised at this. Crash seems to always keep me on my toes.

  “What’s the game?”

  “Hide and Seek. Count to ten, and I’ll leave a trail of clothes for you to find me. If you can find me in less than five minutes, then you choose what you want me to do.”

  “If I don’t find you?”

  “Then you lose.”

  His fingers glide up my towel to the top. It’s still dark in here, so I’m only able to make out the outline of Crash. His fingers begin to tug at my towel, and I allow the material to drop to my feet, feeling bold.

  His hand skims my torso, and he lets out a groan.

  “Ten, nine…” I start counting to let him know the game is on. He chuckles and steps away from me. I can hear him taking his pants off in the dark distance, and I wonder how big he is when he’s hard. “…one. Here I come, ready or not.”

  Walking toward the hall where the bedrooms are, I hold my hands in front while I walk. “Wrong way,” I hear his voice behind me. Spinning around, I can feel him move away from me, but he stays out of my reach.

  Going back into the room where we started, I feel a light feather-like sensation tickle my neck. He’s teasing me, and I can’t help but laugh. Every man I have ever been with has always been so serious, but Crash is so fun and playful. It’s refreshing.

  The light tickle goes away, and I stand still, trying to hear him. My eyes are starting to get used to the dark, but it doesn’t help that much.

  “What’s your family like?” His voice is back to the hallway.

  “My parents are both psychologists. I’m the overachiever in my family. My younger sister, Bex, is an artist, and my other sister, Gwen, owns a café. Both their lives are way more exciting than mine,” I don’t know why I added that part, but it’s true. They seem happier than me too, but I keep that to myself.

  I follow his chuckle. “I started as the underachiever in my family. My brother thought I was crazy for staying in such a small town that held no promise or opportunities.”

  “What about your parents?”

  “They divorced when I was eighteen. Both decided that Oakport Beach held nothing for them, so they moved away to the city. Remarried.”

  “Sorry, that must have hurt at the time.”

  “It became a reason for me to prove them wrong. It’s how I started to open up shops in town. I wanted people to like it here and stay. I thought if we had enough, they would come back.”

  I’m in the middle of the hallway between our two doors. My toes step on his soft pants.

  “Well, I find Oakport Beach appealing,” I flirt, referring to him and also meaning it. I really like this town.

  “Is that so?” His voice is right behind me. I can feel him, even though he’s not touching me. The tip of his finger then trails down my neck, going over my shoulder blades and down until it rounds my bottom.

  “Anything I can do to make your stay more enjoyable?” His voice is husky and is at my ear.

  His hands wrap around my hips and pull me into his chest. I can feel his hard cock resting at the top of my cheeks. I can’t help myself; I arch into him, trying to gauge his length.

  “There is.” I curve my hips into him again, enjoying this game we’ve started.

  “What’s that?” I can feel his lips graze my earlobe.

  “You can make good on your promise. I won the game.” There is nothing sexier than a man in charge in the bedroom. I like to go toe-to-toe with them during the day, but at night, I’m more than willing to submit.

  CHAPTER 14

  His hands continue to tease my skin, and my eyes naturally close, welcoming the sensation. My fingers search him out from behind me; they run along the smooth outline of his stomach before he pushes himself harder against me.

  “It’s my turn to touch,” he scolds, moving my hands away. His finally reach my breasts, twisting lightly at
my nipples. My skin prickles with his small touches. I want to turn around, but he keeps me in place, setting my body on fire. “You’re stunning. It’s a shame we’re doing this in the dark.”

  I smile, liking the way his voice changes when he’s complimenting me.

  “Next time, I will be worshiping you in the light so I can see the way your face lights up each time I touch you. Would you like that?” One hand travels downward until his hand spans the circumference of my inner thigh. I nod in response to his question, unsure if I can keep a moan out of my voice. I can feel his body lowering, but his one hand holds onto my thigh, keeping me in position. “Words, Piper.”

  His nose nuzzles my inner thigh, and I sigh out, “Yes.”

  The air around us is heated, my breaths sharp intakes. I can’t do a single thing but to lean into his touches. My hips move, hinting where he should explore next. I want his mouth on me, now. His chuckle vibrates its way down to my clit, making it throb harder. His fingers play with my sensitive skin on my upper thigh, dipping up to my folds but never going much farther.

  “You always this greedy?” he asks, turning me around to face him. I almost whimper when he pulls away from me. I stand in anticipation, feeling his body lower even closer to the ground even though we’re not touching.

  I wait for his next move, thinking I may die if he doesn’t touch me soon. Before I open my mouth to protest, his calloused fingers are spreading me and then his hot mouth is on my clit.

  My knees go weak, and a girly moan leaves me this time. “Yes.” My legs shake. Closing my eyes, I focus on his touch, on his mouth. It’s hot and wet, and I can’t get enough. It feels magnificent. I want Crash to claim me, ruin me. He consumes me like a black hole; nothing matters right now, but him and I.

  The vibration of his chuckle puts me on cloud nine. His mouth feasts on me, his tongue circling between sucks. The combination of his fingers filling me and his mouth has me unsure if I can finish standing up. My hips rock with his rhythm, my hands threading into his hair.

  My mind is blank, only focusing on the soft assault my clit is taking. My breathing is hard, and then it shoots through me. My orgasm explodes, making Crash steady me as he keeps up his magic. He doesn’t stop until he takes every last drop of me.

  “That orgasm crashed right into you, huh?”

  It’s corny as hell but funny. I still can’t find my tongue to respond. He picks me up and takes me to his bed.

  “How many times have you used that line before?” I tease, out of breath. My body feels like jelly as I wait for his answer.

  “Honestly, never. I’ve always worried it was too over the top.”

  “Hmmm.” I don’t say anything, agreeing with him but liking the idea that I’m the first person he used it on. “Probably should only use that line on me.”

  We lay side by side as I catch my breath. His hands never leave me, making me feel appreciated. They circle my body in a comforting gesture. No one has taken their time like this before. Normally, they would be jamming their dick in my mouth before my orgasm finished. It makes me wonder why I ever settled for less than what I deserve.

  My hands search him out, gripping onto his cock, making him hiss. He’s long and hard. I can feel a drop of pre-cum on his tip as I smooth it over his ridge when I stroke him up and down. Before I can move my body toward him, he’s moved to hover over me, kissing me hard as I stroke him. His cock is thick, and his tip bumps against my pussy ever so slightly with each stroke, teasing the two of us.

  He kisses me until I’m panting, his five o’clock shadow scratching at my skin. I’m normally one to shy away from the roughness against my cheek, but it feels charged, real, and exhilarating. When he breaks away, I want to do nothing more than to nibble on his chiseled jaw. We are all hands and mouth. There is nothing polite or sweet about the two of us as we pull at each other, not getting enough.

  I’ve never had this type of reaction before. It’s consuming in the way I want him. Each time his head bumps into my clit, I want nothing more than him to put his dick to use. He pulls away, and I whimper at the loss. I love the way his chuckle leaves his throat.

  I hear the wrapper of the condom open then he’s nudging between my legs. Slowly for effect, he enters me, my pussy welcoming him before it clenches at his fullness inside me. We groan in unison as he settles deep before he begins to pull out ever so slightly before he’s pushing himself back in.

  “You feel perfect under me.” His fingers make divots in the flesh of my hips. My hips have a mind of their own as they buck up toward him. I’m quite certain I’m the bull in this situation, and Crash is in it for the ride.

  With each thrust, pleasure pulses through me. I feel like I’m riding the high he continuously gives me, but he stops just before I reach the finish line.

  His lips search mine out again, our tongues forcing their way into each other’s mouth, trying to claim one another. He tastes like mint and beer. I can feel the sweat dew on my skin as we fight for the finish line. “Come for me, Piper,” he commands, and I do.

  He’s slamming into me perfectly, hitting every spot. Closing my eyes, I focus on the way he feels, the way he makes my heart sing, and I smile. With a deep thrust, he rocks back and forth, giving my clit the extra special sensitivity it needs. I’m screaming his name, much louder than necessary, but I can’t help it. It’s instinctual; I have no control over my screams. My hands hold to his shoulders for dear life as my body spasms and jerks. I’m vaguely aware of him kissing down my neck as he comes.

  I swear my body is levitating as I lie on the bed, giving zero shits that I’m messy and sweaty all over. I’ve just had the most mind-blowing sex of my life.

  Crash pulls out of me, placing another kiss to my lips before he stands, taking care of the condom.

  When he lies back on the bed, my leg searches him out, sprawling over him, as I place my head on his chest. I love the way his heart beats erratically against my ear. With each solid thump, I’m left feeling like he’s invaded my entire being including my heart. I feel it starting to crack open for him to hollow out and do as he pleases. I’m so sedated by it all, I don’t have enough energy to stop it from happening, uncaring, wanting to feel it all over again.

  CHAPTER 15

  The sun shines in my eyes when I wake up. I have to squeeze them tight for the brightness to fade but give up quickly. It’s no use. I always had blackening blinds in any place I’ve ever lived. Waking up by the sun is taking some time to get used to. My eyes open, and I’m confused for a second, not recognizing where I am.

  “I checked on Aunt Millie,” Crash’s voice booms across the otherwise silent room, reminding me I’m in his bed. He walks in looking freshly showered and sexier than hell. “I have coffee ready in the kitchen, and muffins.”

  He bends down, giving me a full kiss on my lips, not giving a damn I just woke up. I can feel my hair and the state it’s in, making me feel shy for a moment.

  “Time to get your sexy ass up.” Instead of leaving, he gives me a second kiss.

  “Thank you.” My smile splits across my face.

  “Don’t thank me yet. We have company.”

  Taken off guard, I arch my eyebrow. Who would be here to see us?

  “I need an assistant. I promised a summer camp I would give some kids the farm experience today.”

  “Farm experience?” I question. He looks at me smiling, like he does this all the time. He probably does. “I know I’m a bit of a city slicker, but is this really considered a farm? You have no chickens, no pigs, no goats…”

  “Ahhh, but I do have three horses and a cute bunny,” he points out, undiscouraged.

  “Do you give the tour shirtless?”

  He gives me a questioning looking.

  “I’m trying to figure out why they booked you,” I playfully reply.

  “Stop being a hater. I’m the closest thing to a farm we have. Are you forgetting this is a beach town? We have the ocean, and that’s about it.”

 
; Stepping out of bed, I tug at the bed sheet to cover me. His smile grows larger and I dip the sheet just enough to give him a small glance down my length including a good view of side boob. I take my time standing in front of him, hoping maybe we can go for a second round.

  “I like where you’re going with this, but they’re here now.” He winks at me with a chuckle.

  “Fine. I’ll go put on some clothes.” I pout, walking past him and enjoying the way his eyes darken as he takes in my body.

  “There she is!” Crash hollers as I walk up. There’s a small group of children gathered around him. They look to be around six years old. The two summer camp leaders are the definition of beautiful beach bums, who are currently eye-fucking the shit out their host.

  I’m not even jealous; Crash’s full attention is on the kids. He’s making horrible, corny dad jokes. “What did the mama cow say to the baby cow?” He pauses. “It’s pasture bedtime.” The kids buckle over laughing while the leaders do the same.

  It’s not that funny of a joke, and there are no cows here!

  “See this red line?” Crash points to a spray-painted line on the ground. That looks new. “We cannot cross this line because of the white rope-like fence.” Crash looks up to me and winks, much to my pleasure. “My assistant will bring horses to us.” His hand gestures to me, and everyone looks.

  It’s in that small amount of time we’re looking at each other that a kid walks up, and his whole hand fists the small electric white fence tape that works as Crash’s makeshift border. It’s the only section that has it, because he needs to fix this part up to where the wood posts start again.