Bad Friend Read online

  “I’m surprised. I’m not mad at anyone,” Nikki said, plopping down on the couch. “I mean, I guess I’m a little mad at him.”

  “At Damian? Why?”

  “Because his wife is gone, and he’s—”

  “Slumming up with me?”

  Nikki shook her head. “Don’t be silly. He’s looking for trouble, Brit. Have you wondered what it’ll be like when Violet is back? What if she wants to repair her marriage?”

  “He doesn’t.”

  “He can change his mind. It’s hard to say something when the spouse is miles away.”

  “I’d never be in the middle if they wanted to work on their marriage,” Brit said. The weight of those words rested on her shoulders. “The sad truth is, Violet left months ago and there’s no prediction about her return. I wasn’t the one who broke their family.”

  “Dr. Forrest, Bill O’Donnell called you,” Adriana said when he dashed into his office after doing his morning round visits with some patients.

  “Thanks.”

  Damian sat on his chair, running his hand down his face. Damn it, he needed to shower. Amanda had gotten a cold after the day at sea, and he spent his entire Sunday taking care of her. Now, a day later, she insisted she could make it to school—with no fever and looking better, he agreed. He hadn’t called Brit for the past two days. He’d meant to, but every time he reached for the phone he got pulled away—either by Amanda or a real life sound bite, or his own fears of having shared too much with her. He’d felt good about it then, but after, old insecurities lurked like smoke from a burning building.

  He picked up his phone and dialed Bill’s number. The sailing could have been successful, but he didn’t feel a good vibe from Bill and Candi together. Maybe she’d take the plunge and slap him with a divorce decree without warning Damian or giving him enough time to counteract the fallout. Maybe his little plan had backfired and now they both didn’t trust him.

  “Hello,” Bill said at the other end of the line.

  “Hi, Bill. Damian here. Sorry I missed your call. Everything okay?”

  “Yes. I wanted to thank you for taking us sailing.”

  “That was my pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it.”

  “We did. Tell your lawyer to send me the final version of the contract and I’ll sign it.”

  He’d sign it. The weight of a grand piano was lifted from his shoulders. Powerful relief filled him. He’d get his dream come true—he may not have been able to help his mother after she’d been so brutally burned and scarred, but now, other victims would get the help they needed. “Thank you. What helped tip the scale?”

  “Candi talked to me about some things. Apparently, Brit gave her some advice, and I’ve decided to listen.”

  He straightened in the chair. “Really?”

  “Yeah. Candi gave me an ultimatum, and I don’t want to lose her. So I’m having my vasectomy reserved and we’ll take it from there.”

  Surprise hit him in full force, but he didn’t let it sift through his voice. “Congratulations.”

  “Not in order yet, but I’ll take it.” Bill chuckled. “Send the paperwork and let’s get the ball rolling.”

  After a couple more pleasantries, Damian hung up the phone and called his lawyer immediately, adamant on not losing the chance. Nothing would stand on his way now—and he owed it all to Brit.

  Brit.

  He drummed his fingers on the desk. He had to thank her for all she’d done. Hmmm… He skimmed his office, searching for an answer.

  What was the name of that New York conference she mentioned a few times? He googled some key names, then it popped up on his screen. He’d show her how much he appreciated all the changes she’d made in his life.

  * * *

  A few hours later, Damian searched for Brit in the makeup section of the luxury department store. He recognized a lot of high brand names, and zapped between the counters and racks, making the most out of his tight lunch time. Smiling, he found her glancing down at the computer screen, entering some product information in the system as she looked at the small containers and typed.

  His heart beat madly. He’d been right when he told her how much he needed her when they were in the water. Now, he needed her even more—in his bedroom and in his life. He’d put his fear aside and be more open with her. For her. She showed him time again and again she was the woman for him, and that was the least he could do.

  “Can I help you?” a woman in her twenties asked, walking up to him.

  “No, thanks,” he said, and marched to the counter of the brand Brit represented.

  When she raised her gaze from the screen to him, a warm shade of red filled her cheeks. “Damian?”

  “Yes. I came to say hi,” he said, berating himself. He had a much better speech planned, but one look into her deep brown eyes and his smoothness abandoned him. A stir with the force of a tornado formed inside him, menacing his organs and making a mess of his heartrate. “No. I came to give you this,” he said, fishing a sheet of paper from his pocket.

  He gave it to her, and she unfolded, looking down at the paper. “It’s a confirmation for that makeup artist convention you wanted to attend in New York. I took care of flight, hotel and other costs.”

  “What?” She glanced around them to make sure no one heard them. Thankfully, he’d come at a time shoppers were scattered at the big store. “Wait. Why did you do that?”

  “Because it’s a small way to thank you. Whatever you told Candi, she and Bill came together and he signed the document. I’m getting the funding no matter what.”

  She squealed. “That’s terrific.”

  “And it’s time I did something for you too.”

  She played with the edges of the paper. “I was saving money for it. I mean, it’s in a month—”

  “Now you can focus on whatever you want. You deserve to go, Brit.”

  “Thank you. I thought you were mad at me.”

  “I’ll never be mad at you for putting me in my place and helping me be a better person,” he said. “I may get frustrated, but mainly at myself. Amanda got sick and I used it an excuse to hide out. But we can make up for lost time and have sex later.”

  “As long as you promise not to go on hide-out mode again.”

  He touched his heart. “You have my word.”

  She leaned over the counter and kissed his cheek. “Then I’m in.”

  11

  “Brit. Were you talking to that makeup executive?” Riley, a friend she’d made during the three-day convention, asked, as they entered the elevator.

  Brit nodded. “I talked to him and gave him my card,” she said, totally downplaying the fact she’d been able to give out a few samples of eye shadows she’d been working on. She’d been doing them herself in her home, and would love be able to open her own store and have more resources available one day—not to mention, a distributor.

  Riley whistled. “Exciting. Go you.”

  “Thanks.” Brit played with the lanyard around her neck. When the elevator reached her level, she said goodbye and strolled through the nicely appointed hallway until she reached the suite her boyfriend had booked for her a month ago.

  And what a month it’d been…

  With the greenlight from investors, they had contacted a team of engineers and architects willing to work with them. Damian had found a good site for the hospital, and now needed to bring his dream to fruition.

  She slid the key in the slot, then walked into her room on her last night in New York City. There was a party at the hotel’s main ballroom, sponsored by different brands, but she didn’t want to join. She took a hot bath, enjoying every moment, then wrapped herself in the hotel’s monogrammed robe.

  She was playing with the in-room service menu when someone knocked on her door. The housekeeper had checked if she wanted turndown service the night prior, so maybe she’d check on her again.

  She opened the door, but instead of the small lady from the previous evening, she found a very larg
e man gazing at her.

  Damian. A frisson traveled down her body, quickly nestling in between her legs. She stepped back, disoriented, trying to find her voice. “Damian?”

  “Surprise,” he said, wrapping her in his arms and lifting her from the floor. With his foot, he kicked the door closed behind him and carried her to the bed. “My plan was to come yesterday, but I couldn’t make it because of my schedule.”

  “You… came,” she said, still in disbelief.

  “And soon, so will you,” he said, and the double entendre didn’t go unnoticed by her. “I’ve missed you.”

  “Me too,” she breathed.

  He flung her on the bed, and she squealed, excited. Arousal stirred behind her breasts, squeezing her nipples into diamond tips. Without waiting, he untied her robe and opened it to find her naked. “I arrived at the perfect time,” he said, looking down at her pussy.

  He lowered himself on the mattress until he positioned his face between her legs. Damn. She clenched her thighs, making it hard for him to lick her. “What am I missing?”

  “If you’re having some fun, I want some too. Get naked, Dr. Forrester,” she said, her voice commanding. “Now.”

  He pulled his shirt over his head, and made quick work of peeling off his slacks and boxers. Completely bare, he laid next to her. She rolled onto the top of him, so that she faced his cock while he kissed her sex. “Nice.”

  She licked him from base to root, revering the dick she hadn’t seen for days. They’d attempted to have FaceTime sex on her first night, but a phone call from the hospital had taken him away and they’d never finished it.

  He pulled her back to present by rolling his fingers over her clit, the hot move he knew turned her on. She undulated her hips, every fiber of her drumming his name, burning for him. But it only made him squeeze her cheeks and bring her pussy even more in contact with his face. “Hmmmm…,” he groaned, lapping at her sex shamelessly.

  She moaned, then cupped his full balls, feeling the rush of blood, the warmth sifting through his flesh. Then, she outlined his balls with the tip of her tongue, one at a time, lazily. In retaliation, he inserted two fingers inside her, doing quick, shallow thrusts.

  He knew exactly how to drive her crazy.

  She returned her attention to his cock, grazing her teeth over his velvety skin. She felt him trembling, and a wave of empowerment washed over her from top to bottom. Ruthlessly, she worked her tongue around him, then slid some of him inside her mouth while stroking his cock in the same direction.

  He upped his own torturing of her, adding one more finger to the tease while lapping his tongue at her, shamelessly licking her most intimate essence. Her body contracted, and for a moment, the only pulse reigned in her sex. Then, she let go, and speckles of pleasure ignited a much bigger reaction, starting in her core and fast tracking to the rest of her. Soon, he followed her cue, and she swallowed him, every drop.

  She’d never done such thing with a man before, but with him, it felt right. Like the way she felt about him, she wanted every lasting bit. The warm liquid rolled smoothly down her throat.

  With stars still dotting her vision, she relaxed her shoulders when he rolled off of her and took her with him. Seconds later, she enjoyed the warm cocoon of his embrace, the entangled legs, the messy sheets beneath them. Even the smell of sweat and sex swirling around her.

  “This was the best surprise I’ve ever gotten,” she said.

  He caressed her hair, and she made invisible circular patterns on his chest. Never had she shared true intimacy with a man before like she did with Damian. He made every moment with her more meaningful and honest.

  “I’m not usually the spontaneous type. Violet would attest to that.”

  Brit froze, and her hand fell on his chest like a cold paper weight. He never spoke of Violet much, and she couldn’t tell if that was good or bad. Now, she selfishly worried about the status of their until then blissful relationship. What did that mean?

  “Looking back, I’ve made more mistakes with her than I could remember.”

  Brit cleared her throat. “We all do.”

  “Being a doctor’s partner isn’t easy. I was selfish at times. I didn’t see how she hurt after having Trevor,” he said, his voice hoarse.

  Brit disentangled from him and sat on the bed, pulling the sheet over her body. “I’m sorry,” she said, unsure about what else to say. “Would you do things differently today?” she asked. If he said yes, she’d remind him that meant he changed, and there was no need to dwell on the past.

  “Yes,” he said, propping on his elbow to see her. The intensity in his eyes weakened her knees. She shuffled on the bed, finding it hard to stay still. “I’ll do it differently with you, Brit.”

  Hope expanded her chest. “What do you mean?” She had an idea, but damn it, she needed to hear from him.

  “I’m ready to tell the kids about you, and whoever the hell wants to know. I’m not letting you go anywhere, my Brit,” he said, pulling her down on the bed and rolling on top of her. The way he looked at her pinned her with more force than his arms on her wrists. “You’re mine.”

  You’re mine. His words danced in her ears like a delicious jazzy song. She was, yes, his. Little bubbles of happiness went to her head, warming her heart. She bobbed her head forward, and he took her lips, swiping his tongue in between them, and thrusting his tongue inside her. His kiss started slow and languid, and gradually shifted into a passionate, lusty event. She squirmed under him, but he kept her still, holding her wrists with his hand.

  His. She was his and he wouldn’t let her go. With his free hand, he explored her body, whispering his fingers over her neckline, then lowering them to cup her breast. She arched her body to him, filling his palm with her breast. Groaning, he slid his finger over her tummy, caressing her soft flesh, then purposely drove it between her legs.

  God, he loved her—loved her. How else could he explain the growing sentiment each time he saw her? The admiration, the ways she made him a better person. Coming here hadn’t just surprised her—it surprised him. He’d realized a few days without her were unbearable, bringing an emptiness to his heart that the lack of Violet had never done.

  His Brit. He loved her laugh, her eyes, her dimples.

  He loosened his grip on her wrists until he let her go completely. She flipped positions, sliding on top of him and straddling him. He caressed her legs, and she wasted no time and positioned the tip of his cock into her entrance, rubbing the head against her slick folds. A hot need arrowed down the pit of his stomach, and he groaned, eager for more.

  The cinnamon irises darkened to a rich chocolate, and she parted her lips. Moans escaped from them, only increasing his arousal one notch higher. When she welcomed all of him inside her, they both growled at the same time, the sensation too good. He touched her hips, egging her on to move, encouraging her to sway back and forth to find her pleasure.

  She began riding him, her inner walls contracting around his cock. He lifted his hands to her large, full breasts. He cupped them, played with them, and teased the delicious nipples, catching them between his thumb and the index finger.

  Whimpering, she leaned into his hands, while sensually undulating her hips—rocking them and taking him deeper into her, then withdrawing just enough for him to nearly beg for her return. Each time she repeated the sinful movement, she sent him one inch closer to the precipice of orgasming. So, so very close.

  He dragged one hand down, sliding it in between her legs until he found her swollen clit. Without stopping teasing her breast, he flicked the bud of nerves, working it, playing with it to take her over the edge. He always loved how responsive she was, and now was no different—she upped the pace, no longer sending him to the edge. She shoved him, pushed him, thrust him a second closer to the undeniable rapture.

  Painfully aware he didn’t have much time, he dragged his hand from her breast to her mouth, and slipped his index finger past her lips. She sucked him, eyes firmly on his,
sexy as hell.

  A tremor of excitement started on his fingertip, shooting up his arm. She grazed her teeth over his skin, enhancing the already mind-altering sensation. In retaliation, he pinched her nipple, and the most delightful whimper filled the air.

  “Damian, I can’t—”

  “Come, baby, come,” he urged her.

  She nipped his finger, and intensified the tempo, driving him crazy, until she sank her teeth on his finger, actually biting him, announcing her climax. The ache she provoked stabbed at him, but seeing her lose control on top of him, her face flushed and body quivering, replaced any trace of pain.

  He contracted for a moment, muscles stiffened so hard he almost cramped, then succumbed to pleasure. Joining her, they both spasmed, calling each other’s names until she fell on top of him. He ruffled her hair, his sweaty skin molding to hers as he still vibrated inside her pussy.

  “You know how you said me coming here was the best surprised you’ve ever gotten?” he said, playing with her hair.

  She hummed.

  He kissed the top of her head. “Well, you’re the best surprise that I’ve ever gotten,” he said, and he could swear he felt her smile against his neck.

  “Thanks for dropping me off,” Brit said when he parked in front of her place.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to grab Libby and come over to mine? I can order some pizza,” he said, in a last attempt to get her to go with him.

  She kissed his cheek. “My mom is with her, and probably wants to chat about the trip. I don’t want to get in the way of our three generational female bonding time.”

  He chuckled. “All right. If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”

  He leaned in, and kissed her on the lips. She disengaged first from him, and if his car wasn’t running, he’d be tempted to park it and deepen the kiss. But Brit read his mind obviously, because she nudged his elbow and reached for the door handle.