The Leftover Club Read online

  “I love it when you say my name,” he growled in my ear. “Roni,” he added, just to show me how it felt. I shuddered, teetering on the brink of my own orgasm. “My Roni,” he chanted slowly with each thrust. “My beautiful, beautiful Roni.”

  He grabbed a handful of my wet hair to bend my head back while his mouth explored my neck. I pushed back to meet each thrust, incoherent from his touch alone, until I was coming hard (and loud.) He didn’t withhold his grunt and victorious yell when he climaxed.

  Afterwards, he bathed me slowly and thoroughly, working me up again. I thought we would go for Round Two, since we generally did, but he shook his head with an evil smile. “I want you horny and ready for me all day,” he said into my ear while his finger circled my clit.

  “Meghan leaves in an hour,” I reminded. We didn’t have to wait, and if he kept fingering me like this, I wouldn’t be able to.

  “We leave an hour after that,” he said as he toyed with me.

  “Where are we going?” I gasped.

  “It’s a surprise.”

  He took me right to the brink twice before he finally let me escape the stall. I was an exposed nerve as I dried off and dressed. I could tell by his unrelenting erection that he was in a similar state.

  We managed to come down a notch in time to join Meghan and say our goodbyes. We had already exchanged gifts the night before. She bought me more lingerie, a stunning peignoir set in virginal white satin and lace, which looked like she was sending me off for my honeymoon.

  And maybe that was exactly what she was doing. It was her way of supporting my new relationship with Dylan, and it meant the world to me.

  I returned the favor when I bought her a locket and filled it with a photo of her and Taylor up on the mountain.

  Dylan gave her a music box, which I found ironic given that was the very gift that made me decide to have Meghan in the first place. His was more specialized and more fitting for a sixteen-year-old girl, with polished wood featuring a peacock design on top. It played “Unwritten,” by Natasha Bedingfield, which happened to be her favorite song.

  By the morning of the 22nd, all that was left was to say our goodbyes. We were all in tears as we passed hugs around. Then she got into her new Mustang and headed for the airport, where she would fly to sunny Phoenix to spend the rest of 2007.

  I stood on the doorstep and waved even after I lost sight of her. Dylan slapped me on the behind before turning back inside. “This train is moving out,” he announced. “Stop burning daylight.”

  I followed him into the bedroom, where he hoisted my luggage from my closet. “You’ll have to tell me where we are going if you want me to pack anything,” I pointed out.

  He just flashed that sexy grin. “I already packed for you, Nosy. I told you, it’s a surprise.”

  I crossed my arms in front of my chest. “Don’t tell me. We’re flying to Vegas to elope.”

  He laughed out loud. “God, no.”

  For some reason, his reaction took me off guard. I knew we weren’t engaged or anything, but it felt very much like we were inching ever closer to an exclusive commitment every single night he opted to play house with me rather than run off to his bachelor pad in Hollywood.

  His response was typical Dylan. I didn’t know why it shocked me like it did.

  “Fine,” I relented. “You’re the boss.”

  He grabbed me close and pushed me up against the wall of my bedroom, planting a blazing kiss on my mouth. His eyes were dark and powerful as he pulled away. “You got that right,” he growled with a sexy smirk.

  His prowess took my breath away. I decided it could be fun to let someone else in the driver’s seat for a while.

  I did, however, talk him down from making me wear a blindfold as he drove me to our final destination. It was easy to piece together the mystery from there.

  We were headed once again to Big Bear, to take advantage of Papa Fenn’s empty cabin for the holidays.

  I cocked an eyebrow at him. “Following your own advice?” I asked, regarding what he had told Meghan about taking Wade for all he was worth.

  He shook his head. “Not really. It’s just a special place to me now.” He reached over for my hand, which he brought to his lips for a tender kiss. “That was where you and I became us.”

  I melted a little. I decided to get even for the tease in the shower as I slipped my hand in his lap and caressed him through his jeans. His cock hardened beneath my touch, to the point he had to painfully shift positions more than once. I knew I would pay for that the minute we got to the cabin.

  I couldn’t wait.

  With an evil grin I unfastened my seat belt and leaned across the console between us. He gasped as I unfastened his jeans and slid the zipper down, exposing his massive erection. “Roni,” he breathed as I dipped lower, my breath hot against him through his cotton underwear.

  “I love it when you say my name,” I purred as I freed his cock. Dylan groaned as my mouth circled the shaft and slid down. His hand slid up my back to cup the back of my head, but despite his urging I took my time bathing the head of his dick with my tongue.

  “You’re a vixen, Ms. Lawless,” he murmured as his fingers tangled in my hair.

  I eased up his body to nuzzle his neck. “You made me one, Mr. Fenn.”

  I think he broke a few speeding tickets to get us to the cabin.

  We didn’t even bother to unload the car. He chased me up the steps and onto the porch. He fiddled with the lock and we burst inside…

  To find we weren’t alone. There was another couple standing in the living room, toasting with champagne.

  I gasped and stepped behind Dylan, who was just as shocked as I was. I followed his line of vision until my eyes landed on Augustus Fenn, Dylan’s father.

  I had never met the man before, I knew him only by reputation. Yet I was intimidated as he glared at us with the same brown eyes of his son. Though they were the same color, they did not share the same warmth. Augustus wasn’t a welcoming person. His eyes were like blocks of coal and his face stern, as though he never really smiled. “Dylan,” he greeted. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

  “Likewise,” Dylan replied. I could tell by his controlled voice that he was not happy about it either.

  “Come in,” he offered. “Say hello to my friend.”

  I followed Dylan into the cabin, where Augustus began to make introductions, starting with a striking redhead at his side. “This is Ashley,” he said. He didn’t add anything more than that, but it was obvious she wasn’t just an acquaintance. She hung off of his arm like a handbag, her smile victorious and her touch possessive.

  “This is my son, Dylan,” he told her.

  “Dylan,” she greeted. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

  “Wish I could say the same,” he retorted. I nudged him, which drew Augustus’s attention. He offered a hand.

  “Augustus Fenn.”

  I cursed my trembling voice as I took his hand in mine. “Roni Lawless.”

  “Ah, yes,” Dr. Fenn murmured. “The best friend. That makes sense.”

  Again, this stung worse than it should have. I waited for Dylan to correct him, but he was so shocked to see his father that he could only speak in one-word responses.

  “Welcome,” Augustus offered graciously. “We have some fresh apple cider warming in the kitchen. Please help yourself.”

  Dylan turned to me. “Could you get me a cup of cider, Roni?” he asked. “I need to talk to my father.”

  “Sure,” I replied. Ashley brightened and untangled herself from Augustus and stepped into the official role of hostess.

  “I’ll show you where the kitchen is,” she said before she linked her arm in mine. I let her lead me and she was candid as she did so. “I had never met Dylan before, I had only seen photos. But it’s remarkable how handsome they both are side by side. Kind of breathtaking, isn’t it?”

  I nodded.

  “You probably have to beat girls off with a stick,�
� she giggled. It endeared her to me somewhat that she could recognize that Dylan and I weren’t just friends.

  “Not yet,” I admitted, though I made the mental note to watch this one.

  We filled some mugs with cider and headed back out to the Fenns. Dylan was still pensive, which was a new side of him. I handed him the mug and he offered a small smile.

  “I’m sorry we spoiled your plans,” Augustus told me. “I don’t normally come to the cabin, but Ashley wanted to ski over the holidays.” He benevolently took her back under his arm. “But there is plenty of room for everyone. You’re more than welcome to stay.”

  I stood closer to Dylan. “Thank you. That is very kind of you to offer.”

  “We should probably go down to the inn,” Dylan interjected. “To give you both some privacy.”

  “Nonsense,” Augustus scoffed. “We’ll only use the one bedroom. You both can have the other two.”

  Separate bedrooms? Best friends? Clearly Augustus had already made up his mind about our relationship, and Dylan wasn’t doing much to correct it.

  “Besides, it will give us some time to visit,” the elder Fenn said. “We don’t get to spend any real time together.”

  I felt Dylan bristle beside me. Augustus just forged on.

  “You can tell me all about your latest news. How’s show business?” he asked as he ambled toward the recliner in the living room. “Ready to give up on that yet?”

  I followed Dylan to the sofa, where we sat stiffly side by side. When Dylan didn’t say anything, I finally jumped in. “It’s actually going very well, Mr. Fenn.”

  “Augustus,” he corrected as his piercing gaze met mine. “But please. Go on.”

  It felt like a dare. I steeled my spine as I accepted it. “I work for his agent. We found him the perfect project. Filming begins next month in Louisiana. There’s a lot of buzz about the movie. Could be a real contender for the Oscar next year.”

  He just harrumphed. “Buzz. Right. Well, hopefully it’s something you’ll get paid for this time.”

  “I always get paid,” Dylan answered.

  “For more than pouring coffee?” Augustus wanted to know.

  He was really starting to piss me off, belittling his son like he was. Despite the unpredictability of the business, Dylan had managed to work consistently for two decades, whether it was modeling or as working as a personal trainer in between gigs. He had never waited one table or poured one pot of coffee.

  “The deal should be very lucrative for your son,” I answered coolly.

  “You have to say that, don’t you?” Augustus challenged. “You get, what? Ten percent? Twenty-five?”

  “I get nothing,” I answered. “I’m not the agent.”

  “So you’re just a secretary.”

  I cocked an eyebrow. “If I’m just a secretary, I paid way too much for my Bachelor’s degree in business management.”

  He studied me thoughtfully. “Good for you. Too bad you didn’t rub off on my son.”

  I opened my mouth for another catty reply, but Dylan interrupted before I could say anything. “I went to school, Dad. Remember?”

  “An acting school,” Augustus dismissed. “Talk about a useless trade.”

  “I make people happy,” Dylan shot back. “That’s not useless.”

  “Perhaps,” Augustus entertained as he swirled the champagne in his glass. “But when they are sick or dying, they want a doctor. Not a clown.”

  I was aghast how he was speaking to his son. Apparently Ashley was too, as she was quick to change the subject. “So where are the best places to ski around here?” she asked Dylan. “I can’t wait to hit the slopes.”

  Augustus chuckled. “If it’s a leisure activity, I’m sure Dylan is the expert to ask.”

  Dylan’s face hardened as he stared at his father. Finally he bestowed a brilliant, charming smile for his companion. “I’d be glad to show you,” he said. “But really, we should head down into town and book some rooms.”

  “Don’t be silly,” Augustus said. “Nothing will be available. You might as well stay here.”

  Dylan was on his feet before the sentence ended. “No, Dad. This vacation is on me.” He stalked out of the cabin and I chased behind him.

  He didn’t say another word until we were halfway to town. I started to ask, “Are you okay?” a dozen times, but it was clear that he wasn’t. I touched his arm, but he didn’t react. He was like a stone statue next to me in the car.

  We headed to Barbara Anderson’s place, and while she didn’t have a room in her hotel, she had guest quarters on the property that she reserved for family and friends. Now that our children were dating, we qualified. Dylan responded in mostly monosyllabic replies and shakes or nods of his head. He said nothing at all as she showed us around the pretty little cabin that stood unattached to the rest of the property. It had a loft upstairs with one bedroom downstairs and a deck overlooking the lake. She started a fire in the stone fireplace before she finally left us, promising to send complimentary room service in lieu of the evening meal, to give us plenty of time to rest and relax.

  Dylan had other ideas. The minute the door shut after her, he had me in his arms, his mouth on mine in a kiss so desperate I could taste his very soul. The kiss broke as he fumbled with my top. “Dylan,” I started but he was beyond hearing. He undressed me quickly and desperately before he carried me toward the bed.

  He kicked his clothes free before he descended upon me, naked and bare. “Dylan,” I tried again.

  “I want to feel you,” he said as his hand disappeared between my legs. “Every inch of you. Every part of you.”

  “You know we can’t,” I tried to reason.

  “Why?” he demanded softly. “Why can’t we? Because you’ll get pregnant? Because I’m not ready to be a dad?” Tears spilled from his eyes and splashed onto my face. “Tell me how I could fuck up any worse than him. Or Wade. Tell me, Roni.”

  I cupped his face with my hand. “You would be a great dad,” I told him in a gentle, soft voice. He turned his face away and choked back a soft sob. “Look at Meghan. Look at how she’s blossomed just from a few months of knowing you. When that asshole Kyle left her, you were there to put the pieces back together. You knew how it felt to be abandoned, and you stepped up to make sure she never felt that way. You’re a good man, Dylan. And you’d be an amazing father.”

  His eyes burned bright as stared down at me. “You really believe that, don’t you?” he said softly. I nodded and he leaned for another kiss. “Let me love you, Roni,” he whispered against my lips. “All of you.”

  He rubbed against me, and I had to admit the idea was intoxicating. Throwing caution to the wind, purposefully using the act of procreation for the very reason it was designed. I couldn’t imagine having Dylan’s baby inside of me, or becoming the mother to his child. It all sounded so good… too good.

  “I can’t,” I said. “I’m sorry.”

  He growled as he pulled away. He sat on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands.

  I placed my hand on his back. “You can’t fix what’s wrong with you and your dad by getting me pregnant. We should only do it because we want to.”

  His eyes were bright with tears as he glanced back at me. “Maybe I do.” He stood and grabbed his jeans from the floor. “Maybe I always have.” He was angry as he started to get dressed. “That’s the real problem here. It’s not that you don’t want to have a baby. You just don’t want to be tied down to me.”

  I was off the bed like a shot. “You know that’s not true.”

  He swung around to face me. “Isn’t it? You rejected me constantly through high school because you had a better bet in Bryan. Then you married some rich asshole before you even finished college. Admit it, Roni. I’m not good enough for you.”

  My mouth fell open. “Not good enough for me?” I echoed. “I was the one who felt I was never good enough for you. You ran from me as fast as was humanly possible whenever those kids on that playgrou
nd saw us kissing.”

  He sighed in exasperation. “For fuck’s sake, Roni. I was nine!”

  “And I was in love with you!” I yelled back. “I never stopped. Even Wade was a step down from you. Don’t you see that you have always been my ideal? You were my holy grail, Dylan. Every girl in school got to fuck you but you never paid me one iota of attention when it didn’t feed your ego. I just never wanted to be your consolation prize.”

  We stared at each other for a long moment. Finally he walked over to me, his pants still unzipped. He grabbed me by the back of the neck and pulled me into his embrace, for a kiss so deep I thought we might disappear inside each other. He lifted me up and I crossed my legs behind his back before we toppled back down onto the bed. When he entered me, I offered no protest.

  It was a moment I had been waiting for a long, long time. We were officially one. I could feel every inch of his rock-hard flesh, and he could feel every inch of me as I opened to him like a virgin. He gasped as he buried himself deep. His eyes were dark as he stared into mine. We were speechless as he began to stroke. This was more than sex now. This was a promise we were making, taking a chance with our future, bonding ourselves together in a way we couldn’t before. A tear slipped from the corner of my eye, rolling off the side of my face and onto the pillow below as I looked up at him.

  He brushed the side of my face with his thumb. “You are no consolation prize,” he murmured. “You are the gold medal. The blue ribbon. More than I could ever dream.” He kissed me tenderly and made love to me slowly, luxuriating in each and every sensational stroke. I clutched him in tighter, which made him moan loud and long. He sped up like a man possessed. “I want to come inside you, Roni.”

  I was beyond denying him at this point. It was all I wanted too. All I had ever wanted. “Make me yours,” I begged in a soft whimper.

  He shuddered hard as he rode me desperately. He plunged in deep, hollering out as he emptied himself inside of me. His eyes met mine as he struggled to catch his breath. He knew I hadn’t come, so his hand slipped between us as he stimulated my clit. Every muscle twitched and convulsed around him as he encouraged me on. “Yeah, baby. Come for me. Let me feel you. God, yes.”