Bed Buddies: Puck Buddies, Book Three Read online

  Matt tries to make eye contact with me. He wants to talk, but I can’t. Not while Nat is drunk and Carson’s high, and Lori’s banging the bumpit girl, and Rich wants to talk to me, and my brain’s fried from school. I just can’t do another Matt escapade, not right now. I need a few weeks of stress free.

  Not to mention, he looks amazing in the suit. His dark eyes haunt my very step and make me think about the fact it’s been months since we had sex.

  I force my eyes away from him and continue on my mission.

  When I find Rich finally, he’s downing the last of his Cosmo. He gives me a wide smile and hurries over, wearing a fabulous white tux. “Sami, how are you?” He hugs me and kisses both cheeks.

  “Good. I heard you wanna dance.”

  “Yes.” His eyes widen. He looks a lot like his brother, but better. His eyes are filled with animation and care. Not like William’s dead-fish eyes. “I do. Shall we?” He offers me his arm and leads the way to the side of the room with the dancing. It’s a proper benefit with ballroom dancing and a plated meal. Not like the ones I’ve been forced to attend lately where the committee plans the event themselves. Like why even bother having it catered at that point?

  His hand slides around my waist, waltzing me in a half circle and then swinging me in a full circle and back into his arms. Rich is a fabulous dancer. A trait I assume all gay men have because I have yet to meet one who didn’t take to our lessons growing up. The same cannot be said for the straight men, not even a little.

  “I have something awful to tell you. And I should have said something sooner, but I didn’t. I’m ashamed.” He turns his face away, dancing us smoothly.

  “What?” My whole body is on pins and needles. Jesus. Did he sleep with Matt too?

  “William the Asshat has a habit. It’s blatantly obvious if one were to pay attention. Take this weekend for example. He’s not here. That’s because he’s in Dublin with a girl he met at school. He’s fucking her at her parents’ home and partying for the week there.”

  “What a fucker.”

  “It gets far worse, just wait.” He dances us to the side of the room and stops. “I can’t dance and tell you this. It’s bad.” He swallows like there’s a lump in his throat and nods. “William will come home and in a couple of weeks he will mend things with Natalie.”

  “Like he always does.” I scoff.

  “Right. Until the next girl he has to fuck comes along. Then he’ll cause drama and a fight and they’ll break up, and he’s single to bang that girl and whoever he wants for a month or two.”

  “Oh, he does it on purpose?”

  “It isn’t cheating if he’s single and he knows she won’t ever move on because her mother has already promised her. So he wants to sow his oats while he can, before they marry.”

  “Marrying her won’t stop him from cheating.”

  “No, it won’t. And because I find this so fascinating and disturbing, I have a list of the girls. Quite a few are here tonight.”

  “I don’t want to know. I’ll kill bitches for Nat. I don’t even know how to tell her this.”

  “Maybe you won’t have to. They’re broken up right now. We need to start sabotaging this from the inside. Nat’s looking for jobs. We should see if we can’t find her one away from the city. That way it’s harder for them to see each other. You work on her and I’ll throw temptation after temptation at him: parties on the yacht, bathing suits—you know, hetero shit.”

  “That’s a good plan.” I am sick, actively nauseated.

  “I know. I’ve been scheming it for a while. My brother is the shame of my family. I can’t believe how much like our father he is.” He sees someone across the room and waves. “Okay, now go. You’re killing my mojo.”

  Laughing, I glance behind me to see a guy giving him the googly eyes. “Okay. Have fun.” Leaving Rich, I don’t know what to do and I can’t go to Nat. I can’t face her. I want to kill people and rip things apart. So I head for the stairs to the terrace to hide for a minute, the minute I need to sort this out.

  When I get to the second floor I’m out of breath. I’m the skinniest fat person I know. I keep on walking until I reach a quiet spot, and then I begin pacing and brainstorming.

  She needs a job away from the city.

  She needs to move away from home.

  I can’t believe what a dick he is.

  Actually, I can.

  Every bit of me wants to find him, pay someone to kill him, and then cover it all up nicely while introducing her to some better guys.

  Obviously, she’s so strung out on him she needs something else. She needs a slutty hot dirty guy. One who will ruin her for William. There’s no way anyone that selfish is good in bed.

  “Sami?” Matt’s voice startles me.

  “Oh my God.” I spin, trying to catch my breath. “You scared me.”

  “Are you okay?” He comes down the hall looking concerned.

  “Yeah. I just—” I pause. I can’t tell him what’s wrong.

  “Why are you up here?” He walks to me slowly.

  “I don't want to talk about it.” I don't even know how to explain it.

  “Is Rich okay?”

  “He’s fine.” I exhale, trying not to inhale the scent of his cologne as it gently wafts past my nose.

  “Did you want me to follow you?” He cocks an eyebrow.

  “No.” I laugh.

  “There she is.” He comes closer. He’s so close, too close. I can’t help myself. All my self-restraint and control goes out the window the moment he touches me. I wrap my arms around him, throwing myself into his embrace.

  The smell and feel of him against me is everything. I whisper, “I need a distraction.”

  “Tell me what Rich Fairfield said.”

  Sighing, I just say it, “He said William breaks up with Nat to bang chicks he wants to and then gets back together with her, stringing her along. The fights are fakes so he can be single for a bit.”

  “Yeah, I know.” He nods.

  “What?” I pull back.

  “Yeah. I noticed it years ago. That’s been his gig since they started dating. You honestly never caught onto that?” His gaze narrows. “I don’t know Natalie at all, but I’m sure she deserves better than Will.”

  “You noticed it?”

  “It’s really obvious, Sami. Like so obvious I have sat here stunned that he has gotten away with it. I wondered if you girls always knew and looked the other way because of the money.”

  “Whoa!” I step back farther. “I don’t give half a shit about his money. She likes him, she thinks she loves him. I let it ride for her. But he doesn’t get to treat my friend like this.”

  “What are we going to do?” He says “we” and my heart melts.

  I’ve hardly spoken to him since the party, mostly because I don’t want to talk about Tandy, at all. I can’t let it slide that maybe he hooks up with PFs at parties and brings me to the wife parties.

  “I don't know. It has to be handled delicately so she doesn't let her mom convince her this is normal and that he’s done nothing wrong.”

  He smiles softly. “Is there a plan forming?”

  “No. I can’t think of vengeance right now. She’s kinda drunk and a little messy, and we need to distract me from not telling her. I’ll formally introduce you two and then I need you to get us drunk and entertain us all night so I don't do something that will badly damage my image or worse, my friendship.”

  “Easy.” He leans in like he might kiss me, making me smile too. But he only hovers, staring down me and my lips. “I miss you.”

  “Good.” It’s mean but if he knows me at all, he knows the translation to that is I miss you too.

  The grin on his face tells me he knows me well enough.

  “You’re going to cave when you’re drunk. Just so you know, I’ll be a gentleman through it all, even though it will be hard for me.” He laughs and offers me his arm instead of kissing me.

  When we enter the ballro
om, eyes dart to us. People lean in, whispering and speculating.

  Matt ignores it all. He doesn’t care. I pretend I don't see it either.

  Chapter 7

  Soul mates

  January 3, 2016

  Natalie

  Pacing the area rug in front of the fireplace, I tap my nails against my lips and contemplate where this is going and how it even got here.

  Sami is a real human being, with emotions and feelings and concerns. I don't even know what to do with this. She always acts so indifferent. I knew she was seeing Linda for years, but I assumed it was because her parents made her go to therapy. I had no idea it was self-driven and kept secret from her parents. Who even keeps a therapist on staff?

  “Serial killers,” I mutter.

  “What?” Brady glances up from his laptop.

  “What?” I offer a blank stare, confused.

  “You just said ‘serial killers’ and you've worn a path in the rug.” A smile starts across his lips.

  “I said that out loud?”

  “Yeah.” He finally laughs, shaking his head. “You’ve been weird since yesterday. I sort of thought Sami coming over would fix things, not make them worse.”

  “Oh, we’re fine. Better than fine. We just fight like sisters, no biggie.” I bite my lip, not sure I should tell him or not.

  He yawns, lifting his tee shirt to reveal the V and flexing his arms. A sigh slips from my lips, also out loud. He catches it, cocking an eyebrow as the humor in his eyes changes to something else. “You want some of this?” He nods at me.

  “No. I mean yes, of course, but that's not what I’m thinking about.”

  He pats the couch next to him. “Come here.” He puts the computer on the coffee table and sits in a more open position so when I sit next to him he can pull me into him. He wraps himself around me, scent and all. It’s like my own personal safe place. One that sucks away the stress of the decision Sami has asked me to make.

  He leans in, brushing his fuzzy cheek against mine. Shaving and hockey are apparently enemies. Getting him to shave to go to his mom’s for Christmas was a thing. He acted like I had asked for an organ. His lips and whiskers brush against me lightly, starting warmth in me. I crane my neck to the side, giving him room to kiss everywhere.

  With my eyes closed and his warm breath painting me in kisses, I barely remember what was wrong in the first place. When he runs one of his warm hands up my side to trace the bump forming on my breast, I lose all the anxiousness completely.

  Still delicately thumbing my nipple, he gets up, kneeling in front of me. He doesn't kiss me. He lifts my shirt, exposing my breasts to the air.

  He kisses everywhere but where I want him to, teasing me. My nipples harden, waiting for the moment when his warm lips enclose around them, flooding me with bliss.

  But he doesn't.

  He kisses lower, missing the mark completely.

  His fingers dip into the joggers I’m wearing. He drags them down roughly, pulling them off one leg only. He leaves my underwear on but spreads my thighs wide. Running his hands up and down my exposed skin, he kisses everywhere: my knees, my stomach, my inner leg next to my underwear. But he never kisses where I want him to.

  Instead, he gently runs a thumb up and down my covered slit.

  I want him to drag the cotton to the side and devour me, but he won’t. I squirm, almost forcing his face near my pussy, but he moves with me.

  His other hand lifts, dragging my shirt back down so he can gently stroke my nipple.

  It’s too much, I need him. I need to orgasm. I’m done with the teasing.

  I push his hands away, dragging my own underwear off and then his shirt. The look in his eyes is the savage one, the one I love. It means I’m going to get fucked hard.

  I just want to be kissed and sucked and ravaged. So I do it to him, forcing him to do it back.

  He’s sitting back on his heels, which is better for me when I free his cock from his pants and lower myself. I have all the control.

  He parts his lips to protest but I press mine against his, shutting him up as I lower onto him, taking each inch until I have him all.

  His hands reach around, cupping my ass to control me, but I push them back to the floor, kissing him hard but not moving.

  “Let me fuck you.” He tries to move us both.

  “No.” I grab his hands and place them on my breasts, giving him permission there.

  He massages, rolling both nipples.

  I lower my face to his neck, gently kissing as I run my hand down my abdomen. I can’t look at him as I slip the finger into my lips and slowly start to rub circles around my swollen clit. It’s desperate for attention.

  His hips and thighs move, but I refuse to give him a single stroke and instead, finish what he started inside me.

  “Oh fuck, Nat. I need to fuck you. Come on, baby. Let me fuck you.” His subtle movements only help stoke the fire burning inside me as my own rubbing becomes more aggressive.

  I’m moaning into his neck, unable to kiss him, when I start to climax. I lean back into it, closing my eyes, rubbing myself, and crying out.

  His hands reach back around, grabbing my hips and working me up and down his cock, bringing my already stellar orgasm to another level.

  He bucks, making me fuck him hard.

  My orgasm continues, forcing me to grip the couch. He lifts my hips up with my body lying back on the sofa again, places my feet on his shoulders, and cups my ass and hips, holding me up. He fucks hard and fast, coming with loud guttural groans.

  When he’s done, we’re both gasping our breaths and clinging to something. Me to the couch and him to me.

  My whole body exhales as he pulls out, bringing me back into his lap and holding me tight.

  “Sometimes you’re a very surprising girl,” he says breathily into my neck.

  “I need a shower.” I don't want to talk about surprising.

  He wraps me around him and stands, carrying me to the bathroom.

  The hot water soothes but the thoughts I was having before sex trickle back in with the water.

  “I thought I cured that look on your face.” He kisses me, sucking my bottom lip in.

  “Sami asked me to be her partner. She had a legit business proposal and a whole plan. I think she’s serious. She even switched her major before she graduated and took a bunch of extra classes. I didn't even know.” I feel like a bad friend.

  “Wow.” He raises his eyebrows but he doesn't appear shocked.

  “You knew?” I’m disappointed.

  “Matt might have mentioned it a couple of times that she was thinking about doing this. They’re both trying to be adults apparently. I didn't know she was going to ask you to do it with her.” His tone is flat, like it’s no big deal.

  “She kept it from me. She said she needed to figure out what it was before she could explain it.”

  He winces when he sees my expression. “Babe, just because she didn't tell you, doesn't mean anything. And she didn't tell Matt, he figured it out. He felt bad for thinking she was a dumb socialite bent on living life to the hardest and making a fool of her family. He didn't know she was smart and shit.”

  “But she didn't tell me!”

  “All that means is she needed to have a plan first, no biggie. I mean, think about it from her point of view. She’s Sami Ford, she can’t make mistakes. If she does she’s judged by the public. She needed to be sure. I think the caution and time put into it means she made a smart decision. Why is this such a huge leap for you if you believe she’s smart and it's a good idea?”

  His question stabs me in the stomach.

  “Clearly, you also doubt Sami.” He nods.

  “No!” I wash up fast so I can rinse and climb out. He obviously doesn't understand and talking to him about it is only going to annoy me.

  He rinses and moves so I can get under the spray. “I think you need to realize the Sami you knew as a kid has grown up. She’s not the same dumb, drunk rich girl. M
att says she’s even thinking trying to learn to drive.” He natters on as I shampoo.

  “What!” I open my eyes, burning them with shampoo. “Ouch, shit!” I close them again, rinsing. “She’s getting her license? I can’t even with her lately. She’s being so weird. Why isn’t she telling me? Or even better, why is she telling Matt?”

  “She isn’t. She doesn’t tell him shit either. He figures it out.”

  When my hair is clean, I glare at him. “I don't get it.”

  “Has Sami ever been someone who lets other people in?” He raises his eyebrows.

  I open my mouth to say yes but I can’t. The truth of it is that she does in her way. His question brings tears to my eyes. “She’s just always been alone. Except for me.” I blink a tear. “And now she doesn't need me. She has Matt.” I spit his name, sending Brady into laughter.

  “Awww, babe. She loves you. Matt said she was a complete mess all through Christmas and New Year’s because she was terrified you might never forgive her. She stressed hard.” He laughs at me and hugs me at the same time.

  He and Matt have become a dynamic in our relationship that hasn't ever been there before. Even William was never more than Sami and now Brady sort of is. I have to assume she thinks the same about Matt, which means I’m second to her. It hurts, selfishly.

  “I think the fact she asked you to be her partner means she still needs you.” He kisses the top of my head.

  “It’s just different now.”

  “Because of me and Matt?” He pulls back, looking a little hurt.

  “Yeah. It was always me and her. We were the two musketeers. And now she doesn't need me and I don't need her. I don't want to grow apart.”

  “Dude, when I met Sami, I thought she was a flake. It lasted a while. But then I realized that was an act. She’s smarter than anyone gives her credit for. She’s kind but she hides it. And she’s brave. She walks with her head held high, even though the world has an opinion of her that isn’t true. And within seconds of meeting you, I knew where she got it from. You and your dad helped shape her into the person she is. And she’s the closest thing to a sister you’ll ever have. A couple of hockey players can’t come between decades of loyalty and love.”