Love War (Battlefield of Love Book 1) Read online

  Drew: Good answer! Hmmm... Marshmallow roasted or burnt.

  Me: Roasted then burnt. Gotta make sure it’s hot all the way through. A marshmallow’s quality is based on its gooey factor.

  Drew: That right? I like it burnt. Andie thinks it’s like blowing out a candle.

  Me: Yep. I’m sure it’s a law somewhere.

  Drew: LOL

  Me: Did you guys get done early?

  Drew: Nope. The lumber yard shorted us a case of screws. I had to run and pick some up.

  Me: Not texting and driving are you?

  Drew: Wouldn’t dare. In the store.

  Me: Good boy ;)

  Drew: Babe, I’m all man.

  Me: I’m still waiting you to prove it, but apparently there is a thing called “waiting.”

  Drew: LOL

  Drew: You better not be texting and driving either.

  Me: I’m sitting in my car waiting at the drug store.

  Me: One more question. Tea, soda or beer?

  Drew: Normally water or unsweetened tea, but tonight beer.

  Drew: I can run by the liquor store. Just let me know what you want.

  Me: I got it.

  Drew: Coors Light bottles...wanna split a six?

  Me: Sure. I better let you go.

  Drew: See you later ;)

  Hurrying into the drug store I grab everything I need, paying more for the convenience in exchange for a little more time to get cleaned up.

  I decide to keep it easy, so almost everything is cold, except for the nachos, but I’ll wait until we get settled in to make us a plate. Right now I need to hurry and dry my hair before Drew gets done.

  I hear a knock, the door swings open and OH. MY. GOD.

  Drew Williams is standing there bare-chested, bootless, in only his torn-up work jeans. His white T-shirt is wadded up in his hand and he’s using it to wipe the dust from his face.

  “I took off my boots. Apparently, you are building your addition where your dog frequents.”

  “WOW!” I stand there, mouth agape at the sight in front of me.

  I knew he was fit, but this...all man. Who knew his shirts were covering up an eight pack? A solid wall of perfection. Suddenly making me aware and self-conscious.

  “Don’t worry. I had one of my guys clean it up. So Reece won’t step in it if she goes outside next week,” he responds.

  “Huh?” I’m confused now, only speaking in one-syllable words.

  “The shit, Aubrey. I stepped in it. Removed my boots.” He points to his bare feet. “I had my guys clean it up.”

  “Ohhhhhhh!” Now I’m speaking in drawn-out, one-syllable words. If there is ever a time to face-palm your own moment, now would be the time. Geesh!

  “You care if I get cleaned up?” He nods down the hallway.

  “Sure. That way.” I hold my arm out straight, pointing like the idiot I have become. He has only been here every day for two weeks. “I mean, you know where it’s at.”

  “Yep, I think I got it.” He heads toward the bathroom, leaving me standing there.

  “Oh shit.” I hurry down the hall, grabbing a towel from the closet. “What do I do? Knock? Go in?” If I answer myself, I’m going to check myself into the psych ward. This is just nuts.

  Opting for the knock, I wait for his reply. Nothing. Turning the handle I peak in. The shower is going, room is steamed up and Drew is in the shower.

  Would it be creepy if I took a little peak? Yes!

  So, what do I do now? Speak? Let him know his towel is here or just leave it and go?

  “Thanks for the towel.” Drew peaks his head around the curtain. “You can just leave it on the counter.” His smile tells all.

  “Uhhh. O-OK...” I stutter. “I mean, sure, no problem.” I throw the towel on the counter and run out.

  I must have lost my ever-loving mind. The things this man’s body does to mine...I was on the verge of volunteering to bathe him with my tongue. Perfection is what it was.

  Hormones, suck it!

  Trying to snap out of it, I busy myself in the kitchen finishing up the trays of finger foods.

  “Hey there.” Drew comes up and hugs me from behind. “Something smells delicious.”

  “Hey.” I lean my head back nuzzling his neck in search of a kiss.

  “Do you need any help?” He turns me around.

  BAM!

  “Where the hell is your shirt?”

  Drew Williams is shirtless...again!

  “I forgot I changed shirts the other day when I ran to town. I only had clean jeans.” He gives me the sweetest kiss, soft, slow and full of promise. “Here, let me get that for you.” He takes the trays from me, placing them on the coffee table in the family room.

  “So, this is what a dinner and movie looks like.” He plops down on the couch, patting the seat next to him.

  “Yep! Finger Food Friday! Get used to it. It’s the only day during the week that I get a pass on real cooking.” I take a seat next to him, and he pulls me into his side. Exactly where I want to be, but was too afraid to do it myself.

  “So what are we watching?” He takes a bite of his nachos.

  “What are you in the mood for?”

  I flip through the channels, examining his face when I suggest a show to gauge his reaction, see if he really wants to watch it.

  “My God you are beautiful.”

  “Say what?” I stop mid-scan and glance in his direction.

  “Your hair is barely wet, face clear of makeup...Aubrey, your natural beauty is just stunning.” He reaches up, barely touching my face, running the pad of his thumb over my jaw. A moment so fleeting, but real.

  “Thank you.”

  This time, I don’t argue. I accept his compliment knowing there was no hidden meaning. His words seep in, making me fall even harder for him.

  Setting his plate on the table, he tugs me back, securing me in his arms.

  “You good?”

  “More than.”

  “Good.” He brushes back my hair, kissing the top of my head. The action is becoming routine and it feels so good.

  A couple hours later neither of us is paying attention to the movie and it’s all my fault. He said he wanted to get to know me, do things the right way, but I couldn’t help myself. The need to just crawl inside him was overwhelming.

  I lean back and stretch out on the couch, pulling him with me. I need to be under him, feel his weight on top of me, his strength engulfing me. I can’t get enough.

  “This what you want?” he questions.

  I nod my head in agreement. “I don’t want to lose this...”

  My words are captured when his mouth claims mine. His tongue searching, hands roaming. Nothing is safe and everything feels right...so good.

  Wanted.

  “Drew,” I breathe out as his mouth leaves mine to explore his way down my throat and to my chest. Pulling my tank top down, he tucks it under my breasts, clearing a pathway.

  “Yes?”

  “Yes.”

  Dragging down the lacy material of my bra, he exposes my breasts, the cool air causing them to peak under his intense stare. Pulling one taut nipple between his lips, he drives me crazy by scraping his teeth over the tip. My back involuntarily arches as a moan escapes my lips. My body surrenders to him as he moves from one breast to the other, repeating the process over and over again.

  More.

  While his hand travels down further, tiny fires ignite along my skin. I’m melting from the inside out, and he’s barely touched me. His strong hand finds the delicate material between my legs, and he further explores me by dragging his fingers over the lace, causing my hips to jerk.

  “So wet...for me,” he growls.

  “Only you,” I agree, my voice breathless enough to hide my embarrassment.

  His tongue swirls over a nipple the same time he moves the material to the side and swipes a finger over my clit. My body rises again, eager for his touch. He goes deeper, teasing me with what is to come.


  Heat.

  Raw need.

  “I need you.” I reach my hand down between us, pressing him back into me. Showing him what I crave. I’m surprised by my boldness, but I’m barely hanging on, waiting for more.

  More of his touch. More of him. Just. More.

  His ocean blue eyes meet my own, silently asking for approval.

  “Please...”

  No warning. None.

  Steady hands grab my thighs and I’m lifted as he buries his face between my legs, licking me from top to bottom and back again. Twirling, sucking, teasing...it’s all too much. Tightening my legs around his head, my need overtakes my worry if he can breathe. My hand moves to hold his head in place, fingers tangling in silky hair.

  “More...,” I beg. He continues, teasing my clit, the tip of his tongue dipping in and out as he feasts on me. My body starts to quiver, and I’m on the edge.

  I’m too sensitive. I can’t take it. Pushing his face back, I try to escape. He holds me firmly in place, wrapping an arm around my waist, pulling me to his mouth. His free hand is now putting added pressure on my clit. In, out, flick, suck. Over and over again. My legs begin to shake, my head moving from side to side as a slow build overtakes my body.

  “Drew!” I scream, my orgasm crashing through me like a tidal wave. Mouth gone, fingers plunge deep as he draws every bit from me.

  “That’s it.” He pumps in and out until the tremors begin to fade. “Beautiful.” His warm voice washes over me, and kisses feather over my face as his lips slowly land back on mine.

  “Holy shit!” he yells, and I jump, causing us to bump heads.

  “Ouch!” I reach up, rubbing my forehead.

  “You OK?” He kisses the spot where we collided.

  “Yeah. What happened?”

  He rolls to his side, exposing the culprit, Putter.

  “Shit, I thought I put him in his kennel. He was so quiet I guess he was asleep in Reece’s room. He wants out.” I start to get up, but Drew beats me to it.

  “You stay, I’ll take him out.” He stands up and looks down, admiring me.

  Before I would have covered up, tried to hide myself, but Drew has this way about him, making me want to give him my all.

  “Come on boy.” He whistles and Putter listens. Putter never listens.

  Drew

  JESUS CHRIST, HOW IN the world did this go from getting to know each other to tasting every inch of her body? My God, I’m a goner. How does one recover from this?

  Luckily this little mutt saved me back there. If Aubrey would have put him up, my balls wouldn’t be wound up so fucking tight right now, because I would be balls deep inside her. I have to figure out how to tell her...and what we did in there just complicated it more. She won’t forgive me and I’ll ruin whatever chance I even had with her in the first place.

  Taking a couple laps around the house, clearing my head, I find the courage to just do it. I’m going to go in there, sit her down and tell her what I’ve been trying to tell her since the day I found out. It’s simple right? “Aubrey, my ex didn’t sign the divorce papers. I’m still married.”

  Every scenario I play in my head doesn’t end well. This can’t end well and the only chance I have is the truth.

  “Putter, you think I can do this?” I bend down to scratch behind his ear.

  Blinking his eyes, he ignores me and concentrates on whether or not he is going to get his treat.

  “Nice talk, bud.” I open the door, unhooking his collar, freeing him.

  “Aubrey, we need to—”

  “Get out of those jeans,” she says, lying there naked on a pile of blankets. Guard down, wearing a heart-stopping smile, looking more beautiful than I have ever seen her.

  Grow some balls, Williams.

  “I think we should talk.” Hanging the leash back up, I stride over to her, running the plays through my head.

  “Less talk, more action. Isn’t that the saying?” She moves to her knees giving me a view of all the parts I couldn’t see earlier.

  I join her on the blankets. Her lips hover over mine and come crashing down, taking every last bit of my resolve along with them.

  Tomorrow. I’ll do it tomorrow.

  Then my mind is wiped clean of all rational thoughts as she presses against my chest until my back hits the floor, sliding herself up my body and settling right where I need her most.

  Only worn denim now separates my aching cock from her wet pussy and the thought makes me grow harder.

  “Talk, huh?” she teases, rocking against me. “Feels like you had something else in mind.”

  I love seeing her like this, her insecurity gone and a needy little minx in her place. I don’t want to take that from her, so I’ll give her tonight. Give US tonight. Then we can “talk.”

  Aubrey

  TURNING TO MY SIDE, I prop myself up on my elbow. “Drew?” I poke him in the chest to see if he is awake.

  “Mmm?” he responds.

  “You awake?” Silly question; of course he is awake, he just answered me.

  “Mmm-hmm.” He rolls to his side, pulling me close, every muscular ridge of his glorious eight pack snuggled tightly against my bare skin. And suddenly, in the morning light, I’m self-conscious.

  “I know this is going to sound crazy and I really hope I don’t ruin the moment, but...” I try to figure out how to say this without mentioning Doug. “Was I OK?”

  Opening one eye, he looks at me with curiosity.

  “I mean...well...I’ve only been with one person and well...you know how long I’ve been divorced.” I close my eyes, waiting for the answer.

  “Aubrey, look at me.” He tilts my chin up. “Open your eyes, babe.”

  I don’t want to, but I need to know. “I’d rather not look at you while you answer.”

  “Well, you’re gonna.” He flashes me a megawatt smile. “I have never in my life been with someone who made me feel the way you did last night. Who reacted to my touch the way you did. You are absolutely amazing.”

  “You’re just saying that.” I reach down to tickle him under the covers, causing him to squirm.

  “Don’t do that.” He grabs my hands.

  “Sorry, I thought it was cute. You don’t like being tickled.” It’s more of a statement than a questions.

  “No...tickling is fine. I’d rather be the tickler than the ticklee, but it is what it is. What I don’t like is you putting yourself down.”

  He sits up against the couch. “Come here,” he says, pulling me up to straddle him.

  “You know...” I begin to rock, and I feel exactly how good of a morning it could be if I took care of that.

  “Calm down, this here is something new between us.” He takes my hand and places it against his heart, then puts his hand over my heart.

  “This is the talking position. Anytime we need to discuss anything, this is how we will do it.”

  “Uhhh...OK?”

  “Get used to this, ’cause it’s happening. You ready?”

  “I guess I don’t have a choice.”

  “Nope. You really don’t.”

  “Me first! How old are you?” I reach up and run my hands through the white strands that speckle his dark brown mane.

  “Just turned 35.”

  “How old were you when you got married?”

  “Twenty-nine.”

  “Wow.” Using my finger I do the math.

  “My ex and I got married because she was pregnant with Andie. After she found out, I proposed and we were married in two months. What about you?”

  “Well, it’s complicated and something I don’t like to talk about.” I try to fight back the tears.

  “Aubrey, we never have to answer the question if we don’t want to. That’s the beauty of the talking position. We make up our own rules.” He reaches up, pulling my face down for a small, tender kiss.

  “I want to tell you.” I take a deep breath, my heart rate kicking up. “I met Doug in college. I was a freshman and he was a sophomore. W
e fell hard and fast and before I knew it, I was pregnant. I never expected him to propose, but he did. Everything was fine until we lost the baby.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “Me too. We were just a couple weeks away from finding out the sex. His parents wanted us to dissolve the marriage, but he stuck by me, supportive and caring.”

  “So what happened? If you don’t mind me asking.”

  What did happen? How do I explain that something was just missing? That we loved each other, but not enough. Or was it because we were two different people?

  “Honestly, I can’t pinpoint one thing that caused us to get a divorce. It was nothing and everything.” I try to tell the truth without giving him a play by play of the last 12 years. “But I did find out the same weekend I met you that he had been having an affair with his co-worker, his assistant.”

  “Ouch! I know the feeling.”

  “You had an affair with your co-worker?”

  “Very funny. The guys are great and all but they don’t have the parts I need.” He pushes his hips forward reminding me of the reward between us. “Actually, 10 months ago, I thought I would surprise Sarah with her favorite coffee since she was working late, yet again, and instead I walked in on her boss banging her from behind.”

  “Oh my God, Drew. I’m so, so sorry. What did you do?”

  “Well, I turned right back around and walked out. They didn’t even know I was there.” His face is void of emotion. He continues, “I sent Andie to Sarah’s parent’s house and waited until she got home to confront her. The next day I was gone.”

  “How’s Andie taking it? Reece was a mess the first few weeks, but now, it’s just random.”

  “Andie is the same way. So, what made you purchase this place, open up a bed and breakfast?”

  “It was my grandmother’s, she left it to me when she passed.”

  “Were you guys close?”

  “She raised me. Both of my parents died in an automobile accident when I was younger. She took me in, taught me everything I needed to know.”

  “Why not just live here then? Why the B&B?”

  “Well, I need a source of income since leaving Doug. I didn’t have a degree to fall back on or any job skills since I was a housewife for 12 years.” I tell him a little bit of my story, embarrassed by my lack of accomplishments. “When Doug and I first agreed to divorce, he had a hard time adjusting to the idea of the B&B. He threatened to fight for full custody if I didn’t have a private living space for Reece. So, that is where you come in. I had to sink the rest of the inheritance into the addition to keep my daughter.” My eyes glisten, tears threatening to spill.