Bad Reputation Read online

  “Is that…?”

  As the buzz started, Peyton felt her body go ahead and pack up for her since her mind was taking its deliriously sweet time to process the whole situation. It wasn’t until Hailey spoke that she stirred from her state.

  “What the hell is he doing here?”

  Her question was half-whisper, half-hiss. Before Peyton could answer, Connor reached her easel and wordlessly picked up her backpack for her, slinging it over his shoulder and nodding at Hailey.

  “Hey,” he said before turning to Peyton. “And you thought I didn’t know where you were,” he smirked, mischief twisting his lips. Peyton didn’t bother to mask her awe.

  “How’d you figure it out?”

  “You said artist’s studio in DUMBO and I went from there.”

  Peyton narrowed her eyes at him. “There’s more than one of these in DUMBO.”

  He grinned. “You also mentioned the name of the place the other night during dinner. When you said you were working on a sunflower painting,” he revealed.

  “Ohh yeah,” Peyton murmured, stealing a glance at Hailey, who stared at Connor with unblinking eyes.

  “You should bring this.” Connor nodded at Peyton’s piece while studying it.

  “Bring it where? It’s wet,” Peyton protested. “I have to let it dry on the rack.”

  “Alright. Then at least bring your brushes and paints,” Connor said with a mischievous smirk. He lowered his voice so only she and Hailey could hear. “You’re going to want to paint when we get up to the house.”

  Peyton couldn’t hold back her excitement. “What house?”

  “My other one,” he grinned, nodding at the door. “Now come on. It’s a three-hour drive.”

  With every pair of eyes in the studio fixed on him, Connor opted to head out first, carrying Peyton’s bag and equipment while she gently packed away her canvas. Glancing around, she prayed to God that no one in the room could confirm that they’d seen Connor Schaffer and not just some other gorgeous guy with the same gorgeous smirk.

  “Peyton. You wanna tell me what the hell’s going on?” Hailey finally hissed. Peyton looked up once she finished carefully packing her canvas.

  “I don’t know,” she said truthfully.

  Pulling her aside, Hailey squinted at her. “Did you guys have sex yet or did you just make out?” she suddenly asked. Peyton had a feeling she knew where this was going but she answered truthfully anyway.

  “We haven’t had sex yet.”

  “Oh my God,” Hailey slapped her forehead. “Peyton. You’re an idiot. Either that or you’re really smart because let’s be real, Connor Schaffer is going to stop being nice to you the second he’s done getting into your pants. You’re like, the first girl in history who hasn’t jumped on his dick within five minutes of meeting him so obviously he’s going to work a little harder to break you. But once he does, it’s over. You know that right? He’s not going to magically change his asshole ways and make you into his girlfriend,” Hailey said heatedly. When Peyton said nothing, she groaned loudly and ran her hands up her face. “Dammit, Peyton, I thought you were smarter than this. Like – were you this naïve the whole time or have you just been hanging out too much with Kensie?”

  Peyton stared at Hailey, astounded by her overwhelming negativity. There were about a million awful things she wanted to say right there and then but quickly, she decided that it wasn’t worth it.

  She was about to go away with Connor and there was no sense in kicking off her trip with the kind of bitterness that Hailey specialized in. So instead, she gave a shrug.

  “I’m enjoying my life a lot right now, Hailey. You should find something to enjoy, too,” Peyton said before she headed for the exit.

  Outside, on the sidewalk, she couldn’t help but stop and watch for a little as Connor loaded his black Yukon with her tote bag and supplies. He was so cute, and damn it, she was smart. She knew this.

  But for once in her life, she was jumping instead of standing still. And she didn’t mind it. She loved the safety of planting two feet firm on the ground, but she also had a hunch that she needed to enjoy the air sometimes, too. For the first time in her life, she didn’t even care to wonder how she might land.

  For now, she was just going to roll with it.

  18

  Sherry, Connecticut was a small town with a population just above two thousand. In recent years, its vast farmland and rolling greens had piqued the interest of wealthy New Yorkers in search of country homes. Within the past six months, two Academy Award nominees had moved in. It was well on its way to becoming celebrity real estate.

  “And if that happens, I’m selling,” Connor said as he turned onto a long, winding road lined with tall, twisted trees. Their limbs arched playfully over the car like a bridge. Leaning back against her headrest, Peyton turned to study Connor. A faint smile had curled the right side of his mouth the entire trip up. He was generally at ease but Peyton was sure she’d never see him truly relaxed until now, as the car drew closer to his home.

  “But you were the first to move here,” she teased. “You don’t want credit for pioneering a trend?”

  “Hell no. I bought here back when it was just farmland and only one decent restaurant in the middle of town. It was still undiscovered. I mean I bought for less than twenty grand. It was this shitty, dilapidated mess but I knew it was going to be a good fix-up. Plus, it was sitting on six acres of the greenest… fucking sexiest grass I’d ever seen.”

  Peyton choked on her water. “Did you just call grass sexy?”

  “You don’t know grass until you’ve seen my grass.”

  “Oh my God. You’re one of those my-lawn-is-better-than-yours guys.”

  Connor squinted out at the open road. “Only because it is.”

  “Never pegged you to have fifty-year-old suburban dad tendencies.”

  Connor grinned, one arm draped over the steering wheel. “It happens.”

  “Well then I can’t wait to see this magical grass,” Peyton giggled. “We almost there yet?”

  Connor nodded, pointing at the faded green sign that hung on a Victorian lamppost. Peyton read the street name in a murmur as the SUV rode up a long, grassy hill, finally revealing Concordia Road at the very top. From there, as they rolled down, Peyton took in the sight of the short, quaint street with a single home on either side. Instantly, her eyes were drawn to the one on the right.

  Its two-story brick house was smaller – minuscule compared to the glistening, three-level mansion on the left. But Peyton could see that beyond the white picket fence in the backyard, there was a breathtaking view overlooking dark blue water and rolling hills. Close to the fence was a stone fire pit and a single wooden lawn chair. On the porch, ceramic wind chimes hung over a swinging white bench. There was just a sense of home to the house on the right.

  And most importantly, there were brilliant sunflowers all over the lawn.

  “Omigod, so pretty,” Peyton breathed, gripping the door handle, practically bouncing in her seat as she waited to be let out of the car. All she wanted was to run barefoot on the grass. She imagined setting up her canvas, painting under the sun and next to the flowers. Rolling her window down, Peyton held a hand outside, feeling the warm breeze weave between her fingers. She turned to Connor, who watched her with amusement. “Tell me that one’s yours,” she said urgently. He smiled.

  “Yes, that one’s mine,” he said. “And for the next three days, it’s yours too.”

  Leaning back on the outdoor chaise, Connor smiled to himself. Just watching Peyton wander around in awe was satisfying. He’d never seen this breathless, bright-eyed look of hers and it was… what was it?

  Fucking adorable. That was the phrase. He didn’t use it often but if there were ever a time, it was now.

  “God, I could just live here forever,” Peyton exhaled dreamily as she returned to him on the deck. Connor grinned as she paused for a second, eyeing his long body stretched out on the chaise. Then, shyly, she craw
led on to join him, her cheeks flushing pink as he pulled her to lie on his chest.

  “Are you blushing?” he teased as her breasts pressed tightly against him. “Peyton, I’ve seen you naked already. I’ve touched every part of your body.”

  “Have you though?” she countered with sass, sitting up to straddle him. Connor clenched his jaw at the new view. Her breasts looked full and heavy from this angle. One glance and he could already feel all his blood rushing south. “Pretty sure we have at least some unfinished business,” Peyton said.

  “Well, if I’ve missed a spot,” Connor smirked, “please let me know. I’d be happy to fix the problem.”

  Peyton sucked on her bottom lip as she gazed down at Connor, her fingers curling as they ran down the deep-cut sections of his abs.

  They hadn’t had sex yet. She hadn’t forgotten that. But as much as her body ached and screamed for it, a part of her brain told her to hold off for as long as she could. It was the same scared, insecure part of her that sometimes listened to Hailey and doubted herself. He’ll lose interest, it told her. He’ll lose interest and you’ll get attached, so just don’t do it. No matter what you do, do not sleep with him, it urged.

  Good thing Peyton had mastered the art of ignoring that part of her brain as of late.

  Biting her lip, she arched her back and grinded against Connor’s hardening cock.

  “Have you touched this part yet?” she asked, tilting her head as she brought his hand to her breast. She breathed out a soft moan as he squeezed her firmly.

  “I’m pretty sure I have,” he murmured, sitting up and cupping her with both hands. “But just in case I’m wrong, let me do it again.”

  “Connor – ” Peyton started nervously as he peeled her tank top down her body, letting it sit in a cotton ring around her waist before pushing her bra straps off of her shoulders. “We’re right outside…”

  “No one can see,” he said gently, his lips grazing the tops of her breasts as he reached around her back to unclasp her bra. Once it fell in her lap, he pulled back to soak in his new view.

  “Christ.” The corner of his lip curled up as he shook his head, looking almost pissed off by how turned on he was. “Do you see yourself, Peyton?” he whispered, looking up at her. His grey eyes glinted as his eyebrows pulled tight. “Do you see how fucking perfect you are?” His jaw was tight as his hands kneaded her breasts. “You don’t know what you do to me.”

  “I could say the same to you,” Peyton said, her heart pounding in her chest. “I don’t… have these feelings, Connor,” she whispered. “Ever. But then you came along, and now I don’t know how to turn them off. I – ”

  She cut off abruptly.

  I don’t know what I’ll do with them when you leave me. It was what she wanted to say, but she wouldn’t let herself. It was that bad part of her brain trying to speak, and she was hell-bent on keeping it silent.

  Because no matter what this was, no matter how long it lasted, she was going to enjoy it. Every second of it. All her life, she’d only lived for the purposes of others. She had been a pawn in her mother’s greedy scheme against her uncle. Then she was a servant to her uncle’s every request. Her daily life consisted of nothing but Kensie.

  So right now, she was going to live. She was going to do everything she wanted, and she was going to feel everything she hadn’t.

  “Connor,” Peyton exhaled, closing her eyes as he licked the underside of her breast, trailing his tongue along her curve till he could suck her nipple into his mouth.

  Holy shit.

  Peyton’s eyelids grew heavy, and she tipped her head back as he swirled his tongue over her, licking and nipping gently with his teeth. His grip on her waist grew tighter and tighter as his erection swelled harder beneath her. It got to the point that she could feel him throbbing against her sex, launching her into such a frenzy that she could hardly remember when or how she undid the top of his jeans.

  “Peyton,” Connor groaned as she pumped both hands around his naked shaft. “Fuck,” he panted, his voice hoarse as he cupped the back of her neck and pulled her face into his. She moaned as he parted her lips. She quickened her stroke on his shaft as his tongue swept against hers, tasting every inch of her mouth. The need that pulsed between her legs grew deeper as he caught her bottom lip and sucked hard till she gave him another moan. “Fuck, baby,” he growled. “I need to feel you already. I need to be inside you right now.”

  “Take me into your room,” Peyton exhaled fast.

  Connor didn’t need to be told twice.

  Gripping the backs of her thighs, he lifted her swiftly and brought her into the house.

  The sight of her sprawled out naked on his bed was one he’d never forget.

  God-fuckin’-damn.

  Connor couldn’t help soaking in every inch – every fucking second of Peyton. There was nothing she did that didn’t drive him wild. Just watching her big eyes glimmer as he rolled on the condom gave him a deep satisfaction.

  “You look so fucking beautiful right now,” Connor muttered as he climbed onto the bed, hovering over her body and taking her in from head to toe. Her lips and cheeks were pink and rosy. Her breasts trembled from her jagged breaths, and her thighs squirmed against each other as she writhed beneath him. But as much as her body language begged for him to hurry, Connor had every intention of taking his time.

  “You’re torturing me,” she breathed out, his hand slipping between her thighs as he kissed along her collarbone. “Why would you want to torture me, Connor?” she pleaded, her laugh tinged with pain and torment.

  “Because I want to hear every sexy little sound you make,” Connor grinned devilishly as he licked the underside of her jaw. She gave a little moan as his hands pushed between her thighs to spread her legs apart. “I want to see all the ways you moan and squirm and beg because I can’t get enough of you,” he said, his tongue drawing a hot line along her neck.

  “I can make you go faster,” she murmured wickedly, reaching down to wrap her fingers around his shaft. But she gasped when Connor quickly caught her hand then pinned both down above her head.

  “This is nice,” he smirked, reveling in her arched back and her naked breasts thrust in his face. He let his hard cock fall heavily onto her stomach, dragging over her skin as he tasted her nipples again. With a grin curving his lips, he flicked his tongue over them, alternating between licking and sucking till she was wild underneath him.

  “Oh God… fuck me, Connor,” she hissed. “Please, I need you.”

  This time, he relented.

  Releasing her hands, he braced himself with a forearm above her head, pinning his gaze to hers as he slid easily inside her.

  “Fuck.” His groan came from deep in his chest as she let out a ragged moan.

  “Easy,” she gasped, shocked by his size as he quickly filled her to the hilt.

  Peyton felt Connor’s attention rapt on her now, watching her tight as he moved slowly inside her. Her bottom lip trembled as she looked up at him, her eyes locked on his as she felt the pain melt into pleasure. Her nails dug into his back as she rocked her hips slowly against him. He looked so incredibly sexy, his tight jaw going slack as she started meeting his every thrust inside her.

  “Christ, you feel so fucking good,” he exhaled, kissing her lips. “You’re so wet for me. So fucking tight and wet.”

  She was lost in ecstasy as he murmured in her ears. Her head was completely lost in the clouds as she decided to let go, giving Connor the reigns to take over the pace.

  His body was built to take full control. She could feel it and see it in the way his muscles twitched and flexed, putting on a show for her as he grabbed handfuls of her ass to pull her tighter against him. The moans hurtled nonstop from her lips as Connor gave long, full strokes inside her. His abs clenched and un-clenched with every merciless thrust, and his ragged groans filled the room to launch Peyton into sensory overload.

  But the second she was ready to explode, he pulled out.


  “Connor!” Peyton cried out, the void between her legs so painful she clawed at his chest. But with a crooked grin, he flipped her onto her stomach. Spreading her legs, he plunged inside her again. “Oh my God,” she gasped as he circled one arm under her body to play with her clit.

  Peyton’s eyes rolled shut as she felt sensation violently flooding her body, clenching her core and threatening to make her scream.

  “Does that feel good?” Connor murmured, his hand encompassing her throat as he thrust and rubbed between her legs. He grunted as she began contracting around him, clenching his thick root with the desperate need to unravel. Peyton knew he could feel her getting closer. She could feel him getting even harder inside her, and she could hear his breath shorten with anticipation as he murmured, “Do it for me, Peyton. Let me hear you come.”

  And just like that, she was sent over the edge.

  With both hands twisting the sheets, Peyton shook to orgasm under his weight, her moan so long and loud she didn’t recognize her voice. She didn’t recognize herself. She had barely recovered from her climax before pulling herself to her knees, her elbows digging into the mattress as she grinded back against his cock.

  “Holy shit, baby,” Connor’s words were throaty, choked with pleasure and awe as he let her ride him to a finish. “Peyton – ”

  Peyton bit her lip as his grip locked tight on her hips. She peered over her shoulder, a shockwave of pleasure surging through her as she watched his big, strong body go taut as he came. Every deep, sexy sound he made filled her with amazement. It made her feel so incredibly powerful.

  She was delirious by the time Connor collapsed onto the bed and pulled her once again onto his chest. He was so warm and hard, and she was so damned comfortable resting in the crook of his neck. Skin on skin, they lay there for awhile, content to be quiet.