Again and Again (2 page)

He flinched. “What?”

“Monnique made a mistake and she admitted it. She apologized and she meant it. Give her a break.”

I could tell a fight was
about to break out. Ryan and Janice hardly ever argued, but when they did, they butted heads. They were both extremely headstrong and vocal.

“So, now everything is okay?” Ryan asked incredulously. “She dumped Cortland then took off, both based on a fucking stupid reason. She’s a bitch.”

Janice’s face turned red. “Don’t talk about her like that! She’s still my friend. We all do things we regret. Don’t act like you never have, Ryan Sisco.”

Damn, Janice was pissed.

Janice continued. “Don’t push Hazel on Cortland if he doesn’t want her. He belongs with Monnique. She’ll prove how sorry she is and they’ll get back together. Don’t try to manipulate Cortland.”

“Get back together?” Ryan asked incredulously. “How could
you possibly defend her? Isn’t Cortland your friend?”

“Of course he is,” she said. “And I hated watching him suffer as much as you, but don’t throw Monnique under the bus. We were there when they were together and we
saw how happy they were. If there’s any possibility that they might work it out, wouldn’t you want that?”

Ryan glared at her. “Nobody fucks with my friend like that. That’s all I know. And to be frank, if you pulled that shit I wouldn’t take you back either.”

Hazel and I were getting more uncomfortable by the minute.

“Oh really?” Her eyes breathed fire. “Ryan, I have you wrapped around my damn finger. You would take me back in a heartbeat. I could do anything to you and get away with it.
And not because you’re weak, but because you love me so fucking much. How do I know that? Because if you acted like Monnique, I would do the exact same thing. So shut your fucking mouth and stay out of Cortland’s business.”

Ryan held her gaze but his lips were shut.

“I’m not saying Monnique’s actions were okay. Believe me, they weren’t. But I know she loves Cortland and regrets everything she did. And she deserves a second chance if Cortland still feels the same way. But let him decide that. Don’t talk shit about Monnique when their relationship is none of our business. She’s still a member of this family.”

Ryan didn’t look at her. He picked up his fork and continued to eat like they hadn’t just screamed at each other.

Hazel and I glanced at each other then continued to eat. A heavy silence settled on the room. The sound of our chewing was loud in our ears. Hazel was the first one to speak.

“We went to the M
et today…”

“Cool,” Janice said. “See anything interesting?”

“We saw a statue of Greek Fire. It was a weapon they used during the wars,” Hazel said. “It was pretty cool.”

We settled into a calm conversation about art. Ryan didn’t speak. He ate his dinner and didn’t look at Janice. I knew part two of their fight would commence once we were gone
.

2

Ryan

As soon as our guests left, I turned on Janice. She had the same look of fire in her eyes, not backing down. “Don’t talk to me like that when people are over.”

She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at me. “I wouldn’t have to if you didn’t act like an ass.”

“How was I being an ass?” I demanded. “I’m supporting Cortland’s decision. Monnique is a stupid—”

“Shut your mouth!”

My mouth shut but I still clenched my fists.

“You need to start acting like an adult. I love Cortland like my own family, but talking shit about Monnique is not being supportive. He sti
ll loves her so we should owe her some respect.”

“You’re driving me crazy!”

“The feeling is mutual,” she snapped. She walked around the couch, keeping us separated.

“Do you not remember the past three months? Or did you just block that out? I realize you don’t see Cortland as much as I do, but that guy was a fucking ghost. He was dead—literally. She walked out of his life, taking everything with her, and left him to rot. And all of this happened on stupid grounds. So when she thinks he’s seeing someone else, she comes crawling back? It sounds like she’s a selfish brat—and not in a good way.”

“Do you hear me arguing with you?” She gave me that look I hated. “I’m not disagreeing with any of that. I just don’t think it’s right for you to say mean things about Monnique to Cortland. She’s still our friend.”

“Fuck her,” I snapped. “She’s not my friend. I don’t understand how Scarlet and can let everything go and invite her into the house, and I can’t understand how you
could possibly forgive her either knowing Cortland is my good friend. It’s unacceptable.”

She shook her head. “You’re acting like a child. Just stay out of their business. That’s all I’m saying. If Cortland decided he wanted to be with her, you should be supportive. The last thing you should be doing is throwing Hazel at him. If he wanted to be with her, he would. Don’t force it.”

I was getting sick of this argument. I was just getting more and more upset. She and I kept talking, but neither one of us was really listening to what the other had to say.

I grabbed my wallet and my keys. “I’m going out.”

“I don’t think so!” Janice marched to me and pressed her back to the door. “It’s almost ten. You aren’t going out and getting drunk. If you want to drink, do it here.”

“You don’t tell me what to do!” I got in her face, yelling.

“I don’t like being in the apartment by myself late at night. So deal with it.”

“I don’t like being yelled at in front of my friends. And I don’t like you telling them I’m pussy whipped.”

“Well, you are,” she said with a cocky smirk.

I glared at he
r. “You tell me to stay out of other people’s business, but you’re sticking your nose—”

Her lips pressed against mine, hard. Her arms wrapped around my neck and pulled me into the door. Her body was pressed against me. I could feel her breasts tight against my chest. They were perky and hard. I knew exactly wha
t she was doing and I tried to fight it. I pulled away.

“That’s not going to work—”

She pulled me back and wrapped one leg around my waist. Her kisses were purposeful and hot. She devoured me like I’d been away for months. She breathed into my mouth, making pleasurable sighs. When her hands moved to my back, she dug her nails into the skin.

A hard-on appeared in my jeans and my mind became sex-crazed. I wanted to pull away and stand my ground, but she tasted so fucking good.

“I want you to fuck me,” she said into my mouth. “And I know you want to.”

I growled, hating the way she just played me.

“Come on, Ryan. You’re pussy whipped. Just admit it.” She rubbed her body against the bulge in my pants, stroking me.

She had me and I knew it. “You fucking bitch.”

Her lips moved to my neck. She kissed me the way I loved, sucking and cherishing the skin. And she rocked into me at the same time, being an irresistible fireball.

I gave in and pulled up her dress.

She grabbed my hands and looked me in the eye. “Nope. Tell me, Ryan.” She pulled down the top of her dress, revealing her bra.

I cringed when I realized how easily she manipulated me. “I’m pussy whipped.”

“Good boy.” She patted my cheek.

I pulled up her dress and yanked her underwear off with lightning speed. I had to be inside her right now. I unbuttoned my jeans and pulled them down along with the boxers. Then I picked her up and pushed her against the door, fucking her hard and fast. I pressed my face into her breasts while I slid inside her damp pussy. It felt so fucking good.

Janice breathed into my ear while her nails dragged across my back. She whispered nasty things to me, telling me how much she loved having me inside her. “Now come inside me,” she said quietly.

Her words ignited my trigger, and I slammed her body into the door while I came. “Fuck…” It always felt so good when I released inside her. No one ever satisfied me the way Janice did. I still held her into the door while I caught my breath. I was hot and sweaty.

She moved from my arms then placed her feet on the ground. She fixed her hair and her dress, not looking at me. “This argument is over.” She walked away then went into the bedroom.

I stood there, my hands against the door and my pants around my ankles.

Damn. I really was pussy whipped.

I had my interviews the next day. I needed to hire two more people and I had to narrow it down during the second interview. I was going through the applications when Janice walked inside.

She strutted inside, the arrogance
and victory in her eyes. “Hey, baby.”

I eyed her body then came around the counter to give her a kiss. “Hey. You look nice today.” Since no one was in the shop, my hand automatically moved up her shirt and grabbed her
breast. She smirked while I groped her like a whore.

I didn’t bring up our argument again. After Janice pulled that stunt on me, I remembered how in love with her I was. She put me in my place when I didn’t want her to, and she made my cock very happy. She was my dream girl. I realized the argument was insignificant in comparison to what we had. And she was right. I was wound tight around her finger—damn tight.

“Any luck picking someone?” she asked as she pulled my hand away.

“A few.”

She stepped away from me and scanned through the applications. I came behind her and pressed my hard cock against her backside. I wanted to take her into the back and fuck her on my desk.

“Susan?” she asked with a raised eyebrow. “Who’s she?”

“She’s an artist from Chicago. She just moved here and she’s looking for a job.”

“Oh.” She hid her emotion, but I knew she was a little jealous. “She pretty?”

“Not as pretty as you.” I pulled her hair off her shoulder and kissed her neck. “Let’s go in the back and you can teach me a lesson.”

She looked at the other applications. “I like these two guys. Hire them.”

Well, that was ironic.

“Baby, do you not
want me to hire a woman?” I breathed into her ear, still grinding against her backside.

“Whatever. I don’t care.”

“Yes, you do.” I moved one hand down her pants and slid under her underwear. “Ride me in the back and I won’t hire her.”

“You’re blackmailing me?” she asked.

“Yep. What’s it gonna be?”

“I never want you to hire a girl.”

“Fine.” I kissed her neck again. “Now hold up your end of the bargain.”

“Don’t you have to run a shop?”

“I’m on lunch.” I grabbed her hand and pulled her into my office. I stripped my clothes off then sat in my leather chair. My cock was hard and against my stomach. I eyed her with a hungry expression.

Slowly, she stripped off her clothes, making me more excited. Then she climbed on top of
me, her feet flat on the outside of my thighs. She grabbed onto the back of my chair, her breasts in my face. She sheathed me once then bounced up and down on my cock, drenching me with the moisture between her legs.

Damn. It felt good.

I liked it when she was on top. She did a great job. I wouldn’t hire a woman if she was that uncomfortable with it, but I may as well get laid if I could. I grabbed her hips and pulled her onto me faster, loving the slippery slide. I couldn’t last long when she did me like this. My cock twitched and released. I moaned loudly while I came inside her, releasing everything I had. I leaned back in the chair then caught my breath.

“No girls,” Janice said firmly.

“I’m going to need more convincing…”

She glared at me then pulled her clothes on.

“Baby, I won’t hire any. But you have nothing to worry about anyway.”

“I better not,” she said with an attitude.

“Just take one look in the mirror.”

She adjusted her clothes without looking at me.

“Seriously, why does it bother you? The girl is the most qualified of the bunch.”

“I know you have a thing for girls with tats…”

I raised an eyebrow. “You don’t have a single mark on your body and I made it clear I never want you to have one. You look pretty fucking gorgeous without them.”

Her lips upturned in a small smile.

“Baby, I won’t hire a girl if you’re that uncomfortable with it, but you never have anything to worry about.”

She seemed to loosen up. “Okay.”

“Besides, girls come in here and take off their clothes and ask me to mark their private parts. That doesn’t bother you?” I had a huge grin on my face, knowing this would get under her skin.

The surprised look on her face told
me she hadn’t thought of that.

“And they are cute too.”

She glared at me.

“Baby, I’m kidding.”

“You can’t have girl customers either.”

I laughed. “I make the most money off them. Those tramp stamps aren’t cheap.”

‘Well, maybe I’ll make the shop my new office,” she threatened. “So I can keep an eye on you.”

“Fine by me. I’ll fuck you in that chair every day.”

“You’d be lucky to get a handy from me.”

“Ooh…I like that too.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re such a pig.” She turned to walk away but I grabbed her from behind and yanked her back.

“Come on, baby. You know I’m pussy-whipped.”

She smiled. “At least you aren’t afraid to admit it.”

“Definitely not.” I rubbed my nose against hers and stared into her eyes. I loved the playfulness we shared. There were times when we were serious, emotional, and other times when we teased each other until the episode ended in laughter. When Cortland went through his break up with Monnique, I held Janice even tighter, never wanting that heartbreak to happen to me.