Lost Before You (Heart's Compass Book 2) Read online

  I don’t wait another second for their replies as I grab Brea’s hand and pull her along behind me, up the patio stairs, and through the sliding glass door.

  The only thing I care about is getting her into a room with a lock so we can be alone for a few minutes. The bathroom is located just off the kitchen by the pantry. I turn my head to look at Brea and I see the smile that takes over her face when our destination dawns on her.

  “This isn’t how I wanted our first time since I got you back to go, but I can’t fuckin’ wait.”

  “It’s okay…” she whispers, although there is no one within earshot to hear her. “Hurry!”

  Pulling her into the bathroom, I flick on the light before I slam the door behind us. Clenching my hands around her hips, I pick her up and press her against the wooden door.

  My mouth is on hers in an instant, and all I can think about is more. More of her lips, more of her touch, more of her body against mine.

  Grasping around her thighs, I place her so she’s sitting on the edge of the bathroom sink. Brea doesn’t leave an inch between us as her arms fold around my neck, bringing me closer to her.

  Running my hands up her thighs, I finger the edge of her denim shorts, and her stomach clenches beneath my touch. Unhooking the button, I slowly ease the zipper down before slipping my hand in her underwear.

  As soon as my finger meets her wet clit, I bite down on my bottom lip to smother my groan.

  “Brea,” I breathe out.

  “Please. Don’t stop,” she whimpers.

  I’m too far gone now, past the point of rational thought. All that pushes me forward is need. Raw need.

  The tips of my fingers skim along the line of her lips before I rub small circles over her tight bud. I slip my finger inside her wet heat, causing my whole body to tense. My cock is like a steel rod, fighting to break free.

  I slide my finger out before adding a second as I lean in close to Brea.

  “Tell me how much you like my fingers,” I command, earning me another moan.

  Easing my fingers out of her wet pussy, I move my hand toward her breast once again. Rubbing my soaked fingers over her nipple, I hear her mutter out a quiet “fuck” as her body shutters with need.

  She presses her hand against my aching cock, rubbing it up and down through the denim of my jeans. The friction is making it hard to concentrate.

  Taking a step away from her, I let out a low groan when I see the look of desire on her face. “Ease up and lean back, baby,” I say, grabbing the edge of her denim shorts and her underwear, sliding them down her legs.

  She does exactly as I say, leaning against the mirror. I watch as she widens her legs, placing both of her feet on the countertop, leaving her middle on display.

  “God damn,” I grunt, pressing my thumb against her swollen clit. Her head rolls to the side as she squeezes her eyes shut.

  “Oh my God,” she whispers as I lean forward, gliding the tip of my tongue along her pussy, holding her legs apart as she squirms beneath my touch.

  “You taste so fucking sweet,” I groan. “I fucking missed you so much.”

  “Mason, I need you. I want to feel you inside of me. Please.”

  I unzip my pants and slide them off my hips. Reaching back, I grab my wallet and slip out the condom I stored in there after our last time. Tossing my wallet next to her, I use my teeth to tear open the wrapper and quickly slide the condom down my hard length.

  Wrapping my hand around her thighs, I pull her closer to me. Rubbing the head of my cock through her wet folds, I line up my dick with her center before pressing in deeper.

  With each inch, I feel the weight on my chest lessen feeling closer to her.

  “So fucking perfect,” I grunt, holding her hips and bending my head to meet her lips. As soon as I’m pressed to the hilt, I ease my way out before slamming home.

  “Holy shit,” I grit as Brea’s head rolls back. “Does that feel good, baby?”

  “So good,” she sighs as I feel her body shake.

  The only sounds that fill the small bathroom are from our heavy breathing mixed in with the loud slapping of our skin with each thrust.

  “Take off your shirt,” I urge.

  Her body quivers with need, but she does what I ask, ripping the cotton material over her head and tossing it into the sink next to her. I keep a steady pace, never taking my eyes off her with each punishing thrust.

  Sliding my hand along the lace of her bra, I pull the cup down beneath her breast. “You look so fucking beautiful.” The sight of her tan smooth skin and her puckered nipple drive me wild. With one pluck of her nipple, I feel her body quiver as I pick up the pace. With one, two more thrusts I follow her over the edge, suppressing her moan with my mouth.

  I don’t move, enjoying the way her pussy twitches, clenching around me through the aftershocks of her release. With my hand pressed against her face, I pull her closer as her arms envelop my neck.

  “I’ve never felt anything like that before. What are you doing to me, Brea?” I ask, kissing her forcefully before tilting back to meet her eyes. “You’re going to fucking ruin me.”

  It’s been a couple of weeks since I got back to Chicago and I’m finally feeling settled in with school and work. Craig offered me the option of working at either Velvet or his new restaurant, Hard Stop. It’s more of a laid-back bar.

  I like the convenience of working on the weekend only, and the money at Velvet is great. He reassured me, if anything changed, to just let him know.

  Mason and I have been spending more time together. We’ve yet to really discuss our relationship or even define what is going on between the two of us. Mason hasn’t brought it up since our date when he referred to me as his girl, although I would love to hear those words fall from his lips again.

  For now, I’m just enjoying having him around and our changing relationship from friends into something more. When we are alone together, we can’t keep our hands off each other. I find myself craving him more and more every day.

  I’ve kept in touch with my mom, more than I did before the summer. Last night we spent nearly forty minutes on the phone, chatting about how things are going. She’s already received an offer on the house and accepted, so things are finally happening. She is excited to move north to be closer to David, and hearing how happy she is, I am looking forward to it for her, too.

  Before she let me go, she asked me if there was any chance I would be interested in coming home for the weekend. Some of our family were coming into town from out of state, and I know she would like for me to officially meet David. After spending the past three months there, I didn’t have the heart to tell her I didn’t want to so I told her I would think about it and call her tomorrow. I know how much she loved having me home during the summer and just wants me to feel included, especially after I told her how the conversation with my dad went.

  Holding the curling iron up, I wrap the long strand of hair around the rod and stare at myself in the mirror. Music plays from the speaker on my phone as I hear our apartment door close.

  “Lis!” I shout down the hallway.

  “It’s me!” she yells. She left about thirty minutes ago to stop by the convenience store a block away to pick up a few things. She had spent time this afternoon getting ready for work so she was well ahead of me.

  Velvet is expected to be busy tonight. The first football game was today, which means college students are settling into the partying scene and looking to go out for the night.

  “Hey, this was on the door,” Lissa says, peeking her head into the bathroom handing me a large envelope. Based on the size, I’m going to guess it’s a card. “I’m guessing it’s from Mason by the looks of that chicken scratch on the front.” She laughs as she turns and walks into her bedroom.

  Setting the iron down on the vanity, I turn the card over and stare at my name w
ritten on the envelope. I would recognize the handwriting anywhere.

  Slipping my finger under the seal, I tear it open and slide the card out. My eyes flutter over the words on the front about missing someone you love. With a roll of my eyes, I ease the card open and read the message written in black ink.

  B,

  It was one year ago today I met you. One year since you completely stole my heart. I know I’ve lost your trust and I don’t deserve a second chance, but I’m a shell of a man without you. I love you. I will always love you.

  I would do anything to prove to you how sorry I am for my mistakes. Please talk to me.

  Love, Kaleb

  “You okay?” I hear Lissa say, catching me off guard. I hadn’t heard her approach with the music playing.

  “Remember how I told you about Kaleb sending flowers when I was in Cleveland and how he texted me when I got here? This wasn’t from Mason; it’s from him.”

  “Oh, shit, really? I mean, you have to admire his perseverance. Have you talked to him at all?”

  “Not since our fight at Velvet.”

  “Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think he deserves it one bit but maybe you should talk to him. It’s clear he isn’t taking the fucking hint or he would’ve given up a long time ago.”

  Rubbing my fingers over my eyes, I let out a slow breath.

  “After the bull shit he pulled last time I tried talking to him, I really don’t see the point.”

  “Oh, I get it completely. Like I said, he doesn’t deserve for you to give him the time of day, but he needs to get it through his head that it’s not going to happen.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. I’ll try to call him tomorrow sometime.”

  I was right when I said that Velvet was going to be busy tonight. It’s a packed house. Walking out of the backroom, I saunter toward the bar to check on my drink orders. The sound of the music beats, feeling each thump pulsate through my body. Sometimes I wish I could clock out and head out to the dance floor.

  “Can you make me a Jack and Coke?” I shout. Mason looks handsome dressed in his black fitted dress shirt and slacks. A white towel hanging from his waistband draws my attention to his ass. I let my eyes roam over his body as he turns toward the alcohol shelf.

  He catches me staring at him when he turns to face me. I see the hint of desire in his eyes beneath the flashing lights. The look quickly changes to something I can’t quite make out, but I know it’s not good.

  A hand slides around my forearm. Turning to peer over my shoulder, I’m surprised to see Kaleb standing behind me. Facing Mason, I can tell he doesn’t like the idea of him approaching me, much less trying to talk to me.

  “Can we talk for a few minutes?” Kaleb asks, nodding his head toward the club patio. The solemn look on his face is new, and for a second, I feel bad before I shove those thoughts aside.

  “I can’t right now, Kaleb. I’m busy,” I say harshly. I know I said I would talk to him, but I wasn’t prepared to do it now nor did I want to do it face to face.

  “Please,” he begs. “I promise I’ll make it quick.”

  While I don’t like the idea of being alone with him after our last conversation, I get the sense the Kaleb I saw that night is gone.

  Running my hand over my forehead, I feel my resistance wearing thin.

  “Um, yeah, that’s fine,” I say, nodding my head. I see Mason set the drink down on the counter. His movements are jerky, although I am not sure he heard us over the music.

  “I just need to check in on my tables quick and we can head out for a few minutes. I can’t be long though,” I say. Accepting my answer, he nods his head as I pick up my tray and head toward my tables.

  I make my rounds but as I do, I can’t help but feel guilty for agreeing to listen to what Kaleb has to say. A part of me knows this is my opportunity to break it to him that we really are done. The flowers, the card, the text messages…they all just need to stop. After our fight during spring break, he was like a different person. The Kaleb I knew before was gone. A part of me still wants to know what changed, what I did that led him to fall into bed with someone else the second the waters got rough.

  On my way, I stop Lissa. Most nights she helps tend the West bar with Mason and Farin. Occasionally, on nights we are busy, she will float between the bar and the tables serving drinks. She likes the extra tips that come from serving some of our VIP clientele.

  “Lis, will you watch my tables for me? I need to take a fifteen-minute break.”

  “Yeah, I can. Everything alright?”

  I nod my head. “Of course. Just want to take a break. Give me a few.”

  I can tell she’s not buying it. The questions swirl behind her light green irises as she squints her eyes trying to decipher if she believes me or not.

  “You’re telling me later,” she commands. Knowing I’m busted, I concede with a nod of my head just wanting to get this over with.

  Rolling my eyes, I wave her off and mouth thanks. I don’t doubt for a second that she’s not watching me. I’m sure she’ll piece it together soon.

  Heading toward the bar, I see Kaleb standing off to the side. He is leaning against the wall, his legs and arms crossed in front of him. I feel Mason’s eyes track my movement like a laser burning into my skin. It’s as if he is silently begging me not to go through with talking with him.

  Turning my head toward him, my eyes immediately find Mason’s and I know I’m right. His nostrils flare as he works to disguise his frustration. Holding up my finger to him, I mouth I’ll be back in a few minutes. He doesn’t even let me finish when he shakes his head and walks away, tossing his hand towel against the counter as he goes.

  “Let’s make it quick.”

  Pressing his hand against my lower back, Kaleb ushers me through the crowd of people. I feel the heat of his body behind me as we push our way through. I don’t know if he thinks I’ll bail or what, but I can’t ignore the uneasiness that fills my stomach.

  Opening the door on the side of the building, we walk onto the patio. Several groups of people are standing outside. The temperature has dropped since earlier today, leaving the September night sky cool and breezy. The wind picks up, causing my hair to whip around in front of my face.

  Walking to the corner, I move away from the doorway. I don’t want anyone to overhear us, not to mention it’s hard to hear with the sound of music filtering through the air as the door opens and closes.

  Turning around, I face Kaleb and cross my arms in front of me. Rubbing my hands up and down my arms, I try to bring some heat to my goose pimpled flesh.

  “What’s going on? What did you want to talk about?”

  “I wanted to say I’m sorry for everything, B. I made the biggest mistake of my life. Do you even remember what today is?”

  Moving to stand closer to me, he wraps his fingers in mine. Immediately, I force a step back separating us. I know Mason and I haven’t defined what this is between us. I don’t even know what this is. What I do know is if I caught him holding hands with someone like Kaleb just did, I wouldn’t be too happy.

  “Yes, I know what today is, Kaleb. I got your card too. What exactly are you sorry for? Is it the fact that you got pissed at me for no reason when I got back from Cleveland or that you used it as an excuse to cheat on me? Or how about when you yelled at me the last time you showed up at Velvet?”

  I feel the heat rising in my cheeks. The tone in my voice is not one Kaleb has ever heard. I see it in his eyes—the shock and the guilt.

  “All of it. I made a mistake, alright? I just got sick of you choosing that fucking asshole over me. I missed you, B. I still fucking do. I miss the way you used to look at me. Seeing you now, seeing how that look is gone is fucking killing me.”

  “That is no excuse, Kaleb!” I fume. “You slept with someone else to get back at me. Who the hell does that?”

 
“Like you haven’t slept with Mason since we broke up!” he roars, taking a step closer to me, searching my face for any clues.

  “This isn’t about me; we are no longer together so what I do is none of your business. This is about you and what you did.”

  “You did, didn’t you? You slept with that piece of shit. I fucking knew it. I bet you were sleeping with him the whole time, weren’t you?”

  “Are you kidding me? If you honestly believe I would cheat on you, you clearly weren’t paying attention at all.”

  Letting out a frustrated sigh, I run my hand along my forehead, massaging the skin. I feel my head pounding beneath the surface.

  “I’m done talking to you about this. The flowers, the cards, all the text messages, Kaleb,” I say, letting out a deep breath while pinching the bridge of my nose to lessen the throbbing. “They all need to stop! Do you understand? We are done.” I shoulder past him, making sure not to touch him as I do. It happens instantly. His hand wraps around my forearm, whipping me back so I’m facing him.

  “No, we’re not done until I say we are! You wanted to talk about it before, so let’s talk about it.”

  “I wanted to talk to you before you cheated on me. There’s no point now, so let go of me.”

  I attempt to jerk my arm out of his hold in hopes he’ll let go, but instead, his hand only grows tighter as he pulls me toward him. The movement causes me to twist my ankle, nearly falling as I let out a muffled cry.

  “I suggest you let go of her right now!” Mason shouts. The anger in his tone causes me to jerk my head in his direction. The hold Kaleb has on me lessens, but he doesn’t remove his hand.

  “Or what?” he asks, pulling me closer to him, using me as a shield. I know Mason wouldn’t let anything happen to me, but I still don’t trust Kaleb. This isn’t a side I’ve ever seen before.

  “Or if you don’t, I’m going to rip your fucking hand off and feed it to you.”

  “I can’t fucking believe you chose this fucker over me. What, so he can go around getting his dick wet but I can’t? Or are you willing to turn a blind eye to him like your mother did?” Kaleb seethes.