Beautiful Rose (3 page)

“Oh god,” I whispered, my grip around Lola’s thigh tightening tenfold. Her tongue was driving me insane, curling around my girth as her mouth moved up and down fluently.

"Fuck," Lola groaned as I plunged my tongue inside her, her hips grinding against my face like she was trying to ride me. Oh, god. I closed my eyes. This was it. I was about to come, my cock throbbing as the tension built up inside me.

"Oh god . . ." I cried. "Oh, yeah . . ." My body jolted as I came hard, blowing my load in her mouth. Lola cried out as Harmony moaned, milking my finger, her thighs squeezing shut as the orgasm took over her.

"Holy shit," I said, lying back on the bed, exhausted. Harmony collapsed to my right, as Lola curled up between us. We lay there catching our breath, all three of us sweating like mad and more than satisfied. I closed my eyes and breathed in, still able to smell the unique fragrance of both girls. If more of my presents were like this I wouldn’t hate birthdays so much.

I turned to Harmony. "That was one hell of a gift," I chuckled, barely capable of stringing words together. She smiled at me, her fingers tracing circles on Lola's leg.

"Something we could both enjoy. I thought you might like it." She laughed, her blue eyes dancing.

"I have to take Lola home so she can get ready for work, but maybe I can come back for another round?" she asked coyly.

"Um, I kind of invited the guys around for poker," I said, wincing. Harmony didn't take the answer “no” very well.

"Okay, and you can't get out of it?" she asked, sitting up. I hesitated. Sure, I could get out of it. The point was I didn't
want
to. Fortunately, I was smart enough to know that you don't say that to any girl, especially Harmony, and
especially
after the sex we'd just had.

"I wish I could, but we need to go over some things for next week . . .” I let my voice trail off. Total bullshit, but believable enough to stop the questions. She sniffed, and nodded.

"Fine. Have fun. Maybe Lola and I will have our own party," she added coyly, raising her eyebrows at me.

"Thought Lola had to work," I replied, chuckling. Harmony glared at me, obviously not enjoying my amusement. She stood up and threw her dress back on. She shoved her underwear into her purse. Lola did the same. The thought of them walking around in public in those little dresses wearing nothing underneath, was making my cock hard again. I could just imagine the wind blowing gently on their wet pussies…

"See you later, Jack." She shoved the rest of her things into her bag and flounced out of the door with Lola lapping at her heels like a little puppy dog.

I groaned, as the front door slammed. Rolling over onto my stomach, I buried my face in my pillow. Sure, having a girlfriend had some advantages—like unexpected presents—but fuck me, that girl was hard work.

I raked my hand through my hair and tried to ignore the voice in my head telling me that my respect for women in general had downshifted, reversed, and had taken off in the opposite direction from where it had been headed three years earlier.

I wasn't that guy anymore. Just because I wanted to protect myself from getting hurt didn't mean I had slipped back into my old habits . . . Did it?

Chapter Three

Jack

"Yo Jack!"

I raced downstairs just as Ash began to pound on the front door, for the fifth time. Seriously, give me a fucking minute to answer! Even though Alex had bailed, I managed to round up everyone else. Our weekly game included a fifty-dollar buy in, and usually it was Ash who walked away with the money. His ability to lie his way out of any situation came in handy for poker. You could never tell whether he had a good hand or if he was just full of shit.

"You could have just called me when you got here, rather than knocking for fucking ten minutes straight," I grumbled, opening the door.

Ash laughed. "Where’s the fun in that?" he asked. Benj and Darcy followed him in. "Alex playing?" he asked. I shook my head. “Let’s make this a quick game then. I've got a date later." He rubbed his palms together and grinned.

I glanced at my watch, my lip twitching. It was already nine. "A date or a booty call?" I asked him wryly.

"Fine, a booty call. Whatever." He shrugged.

I shook my head. Ash reminded me so much of myself five years ago that it was crazy. I had to keep reminding myself that he was only twenty-three. In five years he'd probably be married with a kid and a dog.

"Who is it tonight, then?" Darcy asked, rolling her green eyes. She was stunning, with her dark hair cut into a short bob, and her porcelain white skin. Standing next to Benj, she was tiny. Hell, standing next to Benj,
I
was tiny. He towered over six feet tall and was close to that wide, as you'd expect from an ex-wrestler. With his broad shoulders and bulging muscles the mere sight of him would terrify you—especially with the tattoos and piercings that covered his body. Still, Benj was one of the gentlest men I'd ever met.

If you ever needed an example of not judging a book by its cover, Benj was it. He and Darcy had been together for two years. As strange as they looked together, those who knew them only saw two people who were completely devoted to each other, and so in love it was enough to make you sick.

I’d met all three of them through working at this bar. Both Ash and Benj had been there since I started, and Darcy started about a year later. Without these guys and Alex, I doubt I’d be anywhere near where I was today.

"Just a girl. Rachel or something." He grinned. We all groaned. God, no, anyone but her.

"Anyone but Rachel," Darcy said, echoing my thoughts. She rolled her eyes in disgust. Rachel was Ash's go-to girl when he wanted a quick fuck but couldn't be bothered with finding someone. They got together regularly. There was nothing exclusive about their relationship but, unfortunately, someone forgot to give Rachel that memo. Whenever Ash picked up someone who wasn't her, Rachel would fly into a jealous rage. The chick was seriously crazy. I'm talking hair-pulling, face-slapping kind of behavior. I'd witnessed this more than once, and every time she seemed to go one step further than the last. That chick was going to cut his balls off one day.

"What? She's hot," Ash chuckled, leaning back in his chair. She was hot. But sometimes crazy outweighs hot, and this was one of those times.

"Dude, there are plenty of hot women willing to do whatever it is she does for you," I said, shaking my head. He threw his head back and laughed.

Ash simply had to walk through a room to command female attention. He was tall with blond hair, blue eyes, and he had a body even I could admit was in good shape. When he wasn't working, he was surfing. Yeah, Ash definitely had no problem getting girls. His problem was that he didn't like to keep them around for very long.

Sounds familiar, I know.

"Oh? You think you're one to talk, hey?" He raised an eyebrow at me, his blue eyes twinkling. "One word, Jack; Harmony." He grinned at me.

"What about her?" I asked innocently. Harmony came up in conversation at least once a week and never in a good way.

"Come on, man, you wanna talk about insane? I think Harmony tops that list. You can do better than her. I'm sure there are plenty of hot women willing to do whatever it is she does for you," he mimicked. I glared at him as he threw my words back in my face.

"Uh, Jack. He's right. Harmony is a major bitch," giggled Darcy.  

"She's not a bitch to me," I retorted. "What?" I protested as the guys exchanged glances. "Okay, so she can be difficult, I'll admit that, but she's a really good fuck," I said, my tone bordering on whining. Ash reached over to high five me while Darcy tossed a straw at my head.

"There are so many girls I could set you up with who are actually nice," grumbled Darcy. "And I'm sure they are all decent at sex, too."

"Darce, I appreciate it, but I'm happy at the moment. Anyway, I thought this intervention was for Ash?" Ash glanced up and smirked at me. I rolled my eyes. "Just deal the cards," I said to him.

* * *

The game was now down to Darcy and Ash. Ash, of course, was being an asshole and going all in every hand which was frustrating poor Darcy. Once it was down to just you and Ash, it was pure luck if you won. 

"Another beer, anyone?" I asked, pushing my chair back. Benj shook his head. Ash stood up and cheered. He flipped over his cards to reveal a flush. Darcy slumped in her chair, glaring at him in disgust.

“I fucking hate you,” she grumbled, tossing her cards into the center, sending them scattering in all directions. Ash just laughed.

"I gotta run, but good game," he said with a grin, scooping up his winnings.

"Yeah, for you, maybe," I shot back, placing a glass under the tap and tilting it. As usual, Ash had bluffed and lied his way through the game and walked away with the cash. He patted me on the back as he walked past.

"Don't worry, man. You'll beat me one of these days," he laughed.

Benj and Darcy appeared at the bar.

"You guys leaving too?" I asked. They nodded.

"Yeah, sorry man. See you soon, though, okay?"

"Sure," I said. "Oh, Benj?" I called, just as he was walking out the door. He turned around. "I have a few new songs I want to play here once things settle down. Interested in jamming?"

"Anytime. Just let me know the details." Benj was a mad drummer, and was just as good with a guitar. We'd played together in the early days at the bar, and I was keen to get back into it with him.

I walked over to the door and locked it after them, pulling down the blind. Walking through the darkened space with a surge of excitement, I felt like a kid waiting for Christmas to arrive.  I was about to embark on a new journey, and I was either going to sink or swim.

My phone rang as I walked upstairs. Seeing it was Alex, I answered.

“You missed a good game,” I chuckled as I walked into my apartment, closing the door behind me. I walked down the hall and let out Mr. Jefferies. He glowered at me from his spot on the spare bed, and then turned his head away, pissed off by the lack of attention he’d received. I shook my head. Sometimes that cat had more attitude than Harmony.

“Yeah, I know, if it makes you feel any better I just got home myself. My piece of shit car is fucked. It's being towed to the garage now. Can you do me a favor? Give me a lift home from work tomorrow? I can get one of the guys to pick me up, I just don't have a way home yet.”

“Sure,” I said. “Maybe now you'll get rid of that piece of shit Chevy and get yourself a reliable car . . . like a Pinto?” I laughed.
Anything
would be more reliable than what he had now. When your car breaks down once a month like clockwork, it's time to move on.

“Fuck off,” he growled. I laughed. Any chance I got to give my brother shit about his car, I took it.

“Text me what time, okay. Oh, and hey…I’ll do this for you, but I need something in return.”

“Like?” he asked suspiciously. Why was he always so wary of my favors?

“A new waitress,” I announced.

Alex snorted. “And where the hell am I supposed to find you a waitress?” he demanded.

“You’re resourceful. I’m sure you’ll think of something,” I chuckled, hanging up the phone. I threw my phone and my keys on the counter, before slipping off my jeans and my boxers. Walking toward the bedroom, I pulled my shirt over my head and disposed of it on the floor. As I was climbing between the sheets, Mr Jefferies jumped up and began purring, trying to get under the covers with me.

“Buddy, personal space, okay?” I muttered to him, tucking the covers close to me so he couldn’t get under. Eventually he gave up, and lay down between my feet. A king-sized bed and he chooses the most inconvenient spot for me? Shaking my head, I eased my foot out and moved over. Typical. I sleep around my cat. Well, so long as he’s comfortable.

Chapter Four

Jack

My phone buzzed as I pulled up outside the clinic. I clicked my hands-free, which read out the message. Thank god he was getting his car back tomorrow. I was sick of waiting around for him. Yesterday had been the same. I turn up, and half an hour later he's ready. I should’ve just left half an hour later today. There was so much I still needed to do at the bar that I felt like I was wasting time sitting around here doing nothing.

Jack, I'm running a few minutes late. Wait in the lobby if you like.

Getting out of the car, I took in the huge complex that was
Belton Square Retreat.
For a psych facility, it was as fancy as you could get. Alex had once told me the nightly fee for this place was four grand. Four-fucking-thousand dollars a night, and then you'd probably leave the place more fucked up than you were when you went in.

In the three years I'd been living here, this was my first time going inside
Belton
. I avoided hospitals and the like wherever I could, and this place reminded me
way
too much of one to be comfortable.

Strolling over to the entrance, I pressed the buzzer. The door opened, and I was ushered into a room. Once I had been confirmed as a visitor, I was buzzed into a small reception area where I had to sign myself in, complete with a photocopy of my ID.

"You don't kid around, hey? You'll be scanning my eyeballs next," I joked. The security guard remained stone faced, not amused by my attempt at humor. No wonder Alex had no sense of humor, this place would suck it out of me, too. He finally let me through, but not before scowling at me again. I scowled back.

Shoving my hands in my pockets, I glanced around. I don't know what I was expecting, but this wasn't it. It looked . . . normal. Nice, even. This was a far cry from the dark and gloomy asylum I'd been expecting. Where were the crazy people running around talking to themselves about the world ending? And nobody rocking themselves in the corner? This was disappointing. Maybe I’d been watching too many horror movies.