Second Shot Read online

  Tommy grabbed a towel from the rack and used it to wipe the sweat from his glistening body.

  “It’s good money,” he said and tossed the towel into the hamper. “But I want more than just this.”

  The glance he gave Candice didn’t go unnoticed. Jennifer couldn’t help but be annoyed. He had Crystal, and yet he was trying to get her friend. She knew he was a bit of a player, but it was something else when it might involve a friend.

  “Look what Eric was able to do when he got out,” he said and tossed Eric a grin.

  It was still strange to think of Eric doing what Tommy had just done. She looked over at the man, who was still a mystery to her, and again wondered what sort of dancer he made. Trying to picture him doing the come hither looks that Tommy did just didn’t seem to fit.

  Eric was more than sexy enough, but not in the same way as Tommy. But then, maybe that was his draw. As she looked around the room at the other men, none of them were the same. If they each danced, then a woman was sure to see her type.

  “That was a lifetime ago,” Eric said stiffly.

  Tommy frowned as Eric stared him down.

  The room grew uncomfortably quiet. Riley was the first to step forward.

  “Yo, Eric. You’ve got to see my new ride.”

  Eric looked over to her, and she felt her pulse kick up. Just looking at him was nearly enough to put her back at the edge of where they had been before.

  He gave a short nod and followed Riley out the door.

  Jennifer let out a sigh. It was exhausting being around someone so intense.

  When Tommy went to take a shower, Candice turned to her.

  “So…” She grinned. “Wanna tell me what you were up to out there?”

  Jennifer blushed. She didn’t want to tell her. That would mean she’d have to admit to certain things.

  “Tommy is a better dancer than I would have thought.” She smiled.

  Candice narrowed her eyes. “Oh, don’t think you’re getting out of this so easy,” she said. “Spill it.”

  “We were just kissing,” Jennifer said and turned her head. She wasn’t good at stretching the truth.

  “Bullshit,” Candice said. “You two came in like you were doing the nasty out there.”

  Jennifer gasped. “We didn’t go that far!”

  Candice grinned. “But you did go farther than kissing.”

  She huffed and turned away from her friend. It was more than clear she wasn’t going to let this go.

  “Hey,” Candice said and placed a hand on her shoulder. Jennifer turned back. “You know it’s okay to have some fun.” She smiled. “I just want to make sure that you know what you’re getting into.”

  Jennifer nodded. She did. It was hard not to know what she was getting into. Eric was a good man. He had his moments, but overall he was good. She just knew it.

  Candice opened her mouth to say something else but stopped, mouth still open.

  Tommy stood in the doorway. Towel draped around his waist, droplets of water slipped down his well-sculpted chest into the trail of hair that dipped below the towel.

  He gave them both a knowing smile and picked up some clothes.

  “Are you coming to the party?”

  The question was to both of them, but he was clearly focused on Candice.

  “I don’t really think—” Jennifer began.

  “Yes,” Candice said.

  They spoke at the same time and looked to the other person. Tommy grinned.

  “I’m taking Jennifer home,” Eric said from the door, and she shivered at the way he said it.

  Tommy nodded and stared intently at Candice. “I’ll take her home.”

  “You ready?” Eric asked her. She looked to Candice, who watched Tommy as he went back into the bathroom to change.

  “Are you good?” she asked, ignoring the impatient man at the door.

  Candice looked to her and gave a wink. “I’m a big girl. Go have fun.”

  Jennifer blushed. She glanced over to Eric and just hoped she was making the right decision.

  * * *

  The car ride had been quiet, almost too quiet. He just prayed that she wasn’t changing her mind. From the first moment he saw her, he could think of nothing else but what it would be like to sink into her. She filled his thoughts and consumed him.

  When they’d stopped outside her apartment, he waited for her to tell him she’d changed her mind. When Jennifer turned her large brown eyes to him and invited him upstairs, he’d nearly shouted his reply.

  Now that he was here with her in the apartment, he didn’t know if this was the right decision. Everything in her place just told him how innocent she really was. It all screamed money and influence, something he would never have.

  “Did your parents go back home?” he asked finally.

  She was busy in the kitchen getting him a bottle of water. He’d not had a drink all night and didn’t want to be loaded if something happened, but the urge to drink called to him.

  Jennifer popped out of the kitchen with two bottles of water.

  “They are still around for another day,” she said and handed him one. “I’m just taking a little break.”

  He chuckled. “They seemed pretty intense.”

  “They can be,” she said sat next to him. “I think you both met under the wrong circumstances.”

  Eric leaned forward. “Maybe they should have knocked.”

  He watched as color spread to her pretty cheeks. She nervously played with her hair.

  “Uh, well…” she stumbled.

  He couldn’t help the smile that came. She was beautiful this way, with an innocence that he’d been missing.

  Eric pulled her hand away from her face. She looked at him, and he felt his cock harden.

  More than anything, he wanted to be inside her, to have her make all the sweet noises from before as he thrust himself deeper in her.

  He moved forward and brushed his mouth across hers. She was soft and sweet. Eric groaned and lifted her up onto his lap. He’d wanted to take his time, but after waiting all night, their first time was going to be hot and hard.

  Eric placed his hands on either side of her face and tilted her head. Their kiss deepened, and he moaned when she moved her hips slowly over his throbbing cock. He slipped down from her face and found the hem of her shirt. As he lifted it, she pulled back and stared at him. The tiny shirt came off easily, and he was left staring at her breasts. His gaze flicked to hers, and he stopped.

  “What’s the matter?”

  Jennifer was wrinkling her nose. “I smell like a strawberry margarita.”

  He grinned at her. “It’s a good thing I like strawberries.”

  She pulled back further and slipped off his lap. “Five minutes,” she said quietly. “I just need five minutes to wash it off.”

  Eric groaned and then sighed. “Five minutes. Any longer, and I’m coming in for you.”

  She grinned at him, and he could see that his threat had the effect he was hoping.

  “Promises, promises,” she said and hurried into the other room.

  * * *

  Jennifer tried to stay focused on the task of washing, but it was hard when every part of her tingled with excitement.

  She’d tried to give him enough time to come into the shower but thought he must have decided against it. Maybe he didn’t want their first time to be in the shower.

  Visions of him wet and naked only heated her more. She certainly wouldn’t mind if he wanted to take her there. Although at this moment, she wouldn’t really mind him taking her anywhere.

  Jennifer shut off the water and stepped out.

  Maybe it was best he hadn’t come in. She could use that time to decide just what she planned on doing. Sex was clearly top of her plans, but what would happen after?

  She sighed and wiped off the mirror. Maybe what happened next wasn’t really in her control.

  The sound of a door slamming echoed, and her heart kicked up a bit. Maybe her par
ents had decided to stop by. It wouldn’t be nearly as bad timing as before, but their presence would for sure put a damper on their plans.

  She hurried to dress. Her stomach turned as she stared at the lacy black nightie. It wasn’t really the sort of thing she wanted her parents to see her in. Jennifer grabbed the thin satin robe from the back of the door. Not a ton better, but at least they wouldn’t be able to see her breasts through it.

  She tied the green robe around her waist and checked herself in the mirror. Her appearance was as good as it was going to get.

  Just as she opened the door, the front door shut loudly. Maybe they had decided to leave. It wouldn’t be ideal, but it would give them the time they needed. And boy did she need him.

  “Who was here?” she asked as she rounded the corner to the living room.

  “It’s nice to see you, Jennifer.”

  Jennifer froze just inside the room.

  Charles sat comfortably on the couch in the same spot she’d last seen Eric.

  A car revved its engine on the street, and she raced to the window. She watched as Eric sped down the street and out of sight.

  A Note from Madison

  Thank you for reading Second Shot. If you enjoyed this serial episode, please consider reviewing it. We authors live and die by reviews.

  The next episode of the serial will be out soon.

  You can join my release mailing list at http://eepurl.com/OX9r5

  ALSO BY MADISON STEVENS

  Novels

  Allen Securities (Romantic Suspense)

  Reed (Allen Securities #1)

  Kace (Allen Securities #2)

  Liam (Allen Securities #3)

  Ryder (Allen Securities #4)

  Kelly Clan (Romantic Suspense)

  Finn (Kelly Clan #1)

  Conor (Kelly Clan #2)

  Luna Lodge (Paranormal Romance)

  Sol (Luna Lodge #1)

  Titus (Luna Lodge #2)

  Lucius (Luna Lodge #3)

  Marius (Luna Lodge #4)

  Privileged (New Adult Romance)

  Privileged (Privileged #1)

  Elite (Privileged #2)

  Short Stories

  Road House (Contemporary Short Stories)

  Letting Go (Road House #1)

  Holding On (Road House #2)

  Standing By (Road House #3)

  Author Bio

  Madison currently lives with her husband and two children in the Valley of the Sun in Arizona. After leaving the frozen tundra of the north, she was more surprised than anyone with how much she has enjoyed living in the desert. Seeing as she stated on more than one occasion before moving to Arizona how much she hated heat, it was an odd move, but it seems her hatred for sub-zero temperatures and ice has won out in the end.

  When she’s not writing, she’s enjoying time with her family. Madison and her family frequent festivals in the area, as well as local cultural events, and spend time with family in the area. In the summer, she is most likely to be found in the pool with the family and in the winter by the fireplace. Since both her children are autistic, days can be a little chaotic, but with her husband beside her, there’s nothing she can’t handle.

  Madison has a full schedule of releases planned for 2014 listed and updated on her blog: http://madisonstevensauthor.com/

  She can be contacted at [email protected]