Free Sweet Satisfaction by Becca Dale

longer an option. He could not go back to the way they had been. Not with the feel of her soft skin and the sound of her delicate cries imbedded in his mind. Emptying his beer, he signaled a passing waitress for another. No matter how much he drank or how loud the music or whatever distraction came his way, he would not be able to forget having Katelyn in his bed. Her perfect body stretched out for their mutual pleasure, her sexy submission, her spirit, everything about her satisfied him beyond measure. No other would ever come close.
    Kurt cleared his throat and sat forward. “So tell us about her.”
    “It’s not going to happen so drop it.” Connor couldn’t get Kate out of his thoughts, but he didn’t want to talk about her either. For three years, he’d practically crawled to get her to notice him. One night in his bed had forced her to confess she loved him, but it had also reinforced her walls. He’d been a fool to think he had a chance and a bigger fool to risk losing her. But it was too late to undo the damage. She would never let him past her defenses again, and he didn’t have the heart to force her. Walking away and never looking back was his only option.
    “Do you love her?”
    He wasn’t sure who had asked the question, but the sharp and unexpected pain it triggered nearly floored him. Looking up, he studied Kurt and Al. They seemed too concerned, too serious, like they were up to something. “Did you two drag me out here so you could play amateur psychiatrist? If so, sorry to disappoint.”
    “Thank God!” Alonso’s laugh sounded forced. “I’m not sure I could stand listening to you cry in your beer over some chick so far beneath you. Nice set of tits and a sweet ass, but seriously, man. You need to fuck her and—”
    Connor lunged from his chair, his fist landed square on his cousin’s jaw before he finished the indecent thought. “Shut you’re damn mouth!”
    “Whoa, kid.” Kurt grabbed him from behind, pinning his elbows back. “He was testing you, checking if you’d actually found the one. You know Al didn’t mean it.”
    The cloud of anger lifted as quickly as it had come. He glared at his charismatic cousin, reminding himself the guy had his back even if he came off as a dick. “You’re an asshole.”
    Alonso laughed and slapped him on the back. “Come on, you’re beer’s here. Sit down.”
    Before he could slide onto his stool, his brother caught his arm and turned him toward the dance floor, waving Al away. “Seriously, little brother. What if she changes her mind?”
    “She won’t.” She hadn’t budged in three years. Nothing had changed except him. “I’m done pretending I have a chance.”
    “But if she did want you back, as more than a friend, would you still walk away?”
    “Hell no.” The bar teemed with beautiful women of all shapes and sizes—tall, petite, voluptuous and overly slender—but none of them did a thing for him. Shrugging off his brother’s arm, he returned to his seat across from his cousin. Kurt joined them, but Connor did not miss the conspiratorial glance the other men exchanged.
    He took a long swig of beer, nearly draining the frosted mug. “I’m out after this one.”
    Kurt glanced at his watch. “Slow down a bit, Con. Sit back and enjoy life.”
    Al nodded. “What’s the hurry? Appreciate the scenery if nothing else. That pretty little thing by the stage looks like she could use a partner.”
    “Quit plotting to hook me up. It’s not happening. Not tonight. Or any other for that matter.” The last of the beer went down easy but left a bitter aftertaste, a perfect reminder of the resentment burning in his chest. He didn’t blame the guys for trying to knock him out of his funk, nor Kate for being afraid to take a chance. The responsibility for everything lay firmly in his own lap. He had created the shithole his life had fallen into, and he would find a way to live with it. Even if it killed him.
    ****
    Kate’s stomach hurt