Fitting The Pieces (The Riverdale Series Book 3) Read online

  Table of Contents

  Dedication Page:

  Prologue

  Cara’s Journal: September 19th

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Cara’s Journal: September 22

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Cara’s Journal: September 28

  Chapter Five

  Cara’s Journal: September 29

  Cara’s Journal: September 30

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Cara’s Journal: October 11,

  Cara’s Journal: October 11

  Cara’s Journal: October 18,

  Chapter Eight

  Cara’s Journal: October 20

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Cara’s Journal: October 21

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty One

  Chapter Twenty Two

  Chapter Twenty Three

  Chapter Twenty Four

  Chapter Twenty Five

  Chapter Twenty Six

  Chapter Twenty Seven

  Chapter Twenty Eight

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements:

  Coming Soon

  Copyright

  Dedication Page:

  To my sons, may you always be one another’s best friend.

  Prologue

  August

  Luke sat beside Nick at the old fashioned bar that was positioned in the center of Rudy’s Bar and Grille. The bartender was a girl they had gone to school with many moons ago. She had left the bottle on top of the bar and Luke helped himself. Once his glass was full again, Nick snatched it and claimed it as his own. He scowled at him and took his empty glass, filling it to the brim.

  “How are things between you and Leah?” Luke heard Nick say next to him. He shrugged his shoulders. He had been asking himself the same question lately.

  “They’re fine. I think she wants more than I’m willing to give her right now, even though she hasn’t said it.” Luke stated flatly. That was the best he could come up with right now. He knew he wasn’t being fair to her lately. He took a long sip of his drink and let the alcohol filter through his system. He didn’t want to think about his relationship with Leah. He didn’t want to come to terms with the fact that there was only one woman in his head that he couldn’t shake.

  “Wait a minute, you mean to tell me you can tell what a woman wants or thinks without her saying so?” Nick asked shocked.

  Luke lifted his gaze from his drink and studied Nick for a moment, wondering if he was drunk or if in fact he was serious. “Yeah man, C’mon a woman is an open book.”

  Nick laughed at him and turned his head. He was silent for a moment and Luke just sat waiting for him to say something.

  “Are you serious? You can’t read a woman?” The idea was absurd to Luke. Granted, he didn’t classify himself as an expert, furthest from it, but he still knew how to get into a woman’s head. He assumed it was written in every man’s D.N.A.

  Nick held up a hand in protest. “Now wait a minute. I can read a woman in the bedroom. I can tell you what she wants and what she needs…”

  Luke shook his head and closed his eyes. It was a struggle for him to differentiate the Nick who was doing god knows what with his sister from the Nick who was his buddy, the one guy he could shoot the shit with. “So you’re saying take you out of a bedroom and you’re fucked when it comes to a woman.”

  Nick cocked his head to the side for a moment before nodding. “Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.”

  “Nick, that’s a problem. If you can’t read a woman how can you be one step ahead of her?” He asked his friend incredulously. The whole thing was mind boggling to him.

  “I’m never one step ahead.” He took a big gulp of his drink. “I’m usually three or four behind, depending on the girl. For example, with your sister, I’m like on a whole fucking different continent.”

  Luke genuinely laughed out loud as he mentally pictured Sam driving Nick nuts. It was an amusing thought, and for the first time he could see them together and he accepted it. “Well, Sam’s not like any other woman.” He patted Nick on the back. “Hey, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  “No, she’s definitely not.” Nick said.

  Helena, their bartender, made her way back to them and this time she helped herself to a shot. Luke raised an eyebrow at her and then Nick. “So I get off in a few minutes and I’ve been thinking the three of us should go somewhere and catch up.”

  Nick laughed out loud beside him and when Luke turned his attention from him back to Helena he saw her cheeks redden. “I’m sorry that came out all wrong.”

  “Nothing wrong in wanting to catch up with old friends,” Luke offered trying to defuse Helena’s embarrassment.

  She smiled at him and stumbled forward when the bartender relieving her bumped right into her. Helena straightened up, finding her balance. Luke looked right passed Helena into the haunting hazel eyes that belonged to Cara.

  “I didn’t know you went back to work.” He said softly. He wasn’t expecting to see her, the truth was he had barely seen or heard from her. He had no idea what she had been up to because she ignored all his calls. She made it damn near impossible to keep his promise to his deceased brother.

  “Well, why would you?” She nodded towards Helena. “You can take off now, I’ve got this.”

  Helena looked back and forth between them before untying her apron. She took the seat on the opposite side of Nick and reached for the bottle that sat between the two men. Cara grabbed the bottle from her before she could pour any.

  “Let’s get something straight. I’ll be the one pouring the drinks.” She turned around and placed the bottle back on the shelf. She had one hand tucked into the back pocket of her denim mini skirt and with her free hand, she wiped down the mess that had been made by allowing Luke and Nick to pour their own drinks.

  Luke fought the urge to place his hand over hers, figuring only then would she grace him with another glance. She stared at Nick completely ignoring Luke. Nick turned to Luke. “Luke?”

  Luke sighed and ran his hands through his hair. “I’m good.” He said as he watched Cara turn around and prepare Nick and Helena’s drinks. He heard them conversing beside him and only made out three words that had come from Nick’s mouth.

  “Her fiancé died.” Nick said, his voice barely above a whisper. Luke closed his eyes as his friend said the words. The words that rang as a reminder that he needed to reel himself in.

  “Tell me something.” Nick said as he leaned closer so that only Luke could hear him. “If all women are an open book and you’ve got the magic touch, why can’t you figure her out?”

  “She’s not mine to figure out.” Luke answered automatically before turning to look Nick dead in the eye. “Jake asked me to watch out for her. He asked me to take care of her and make sure she doesn’t do anything stupid. But for some reason she hates me and has made it damn hard to keep tabs on her.”

  Cara slammed Nick and Helena’s drinks on the bar. Luke stared up at her, noticing the dark circles under her eyes that she tried to conceal with makeup. She turned away and sauntered to the other end of the bar. Luke watched as she helped the other patrons, shooting him daggers every time their eyes happened to connect.

  * * * * *


  Sam’s friends had joined in on the good time, in turn making Nick’s head spin with confusion just a little more. Luke was starting to feel bad for his buddy. He felt Nick’s hand pat him on the back. “I’m heading upstairs.”

  Luke nodded and looked his friend over, he looked like shit. It was probably best if he bailed now, while he still could make it up the stairs to his apartment.

  “I’m going to hang out for a while. Leah’s working an overnight shift and Ava’s with Sam, so might as well take advantage.”

  Nick nodded and threw some money onto the bar. “Good night…” He paused. “Everyone.”

  Luke watched him stagger off towards the door before turning back around and coming face to face with Cara. “Luke, either order a drink or follow Nick out. I don’t need a babysitter.” She said and for the first time there wasn’t malice in her voice.

  He considered her words and nodded. “I’ll have a Jack and coke.” She stared at him for a moment, studying him, and then she nodded slightly.

  “Okay.” She whispered as if they had an understanding between one another. Little did she know he’d drink himself silly if it kept her from lashing out at him.

  And that’s exactly what he did. He let her pour drink after drink, until he couldn’t feel a goddamn thing other than the heat in his gut that yearned for her. He was sure it was apparent in his eyes and the way he looked at her. He watched her work that bar the entire night, watched as man after man hit on her. Some of them had caught Luke’s glare as if he had a claim on her, and he didn’t give two shits. He wanted them all to steer clear of her.

  She leaned over the bar across the way from him, his eyes traveled the length of her body, settling on her ass, which stuck out as she leaned over the bar. She threw her head back laughing at something one of her patrons said to her. He wanted to sink his teeth into just one of those round cheeks of hers. He lifted his drunken gaze as she glanced over her shoulder at him, listening to whatever the guy staring daggers at him was saying. Luke slowly dragged his eyes away from the man that had Cara’s undivided attention and settled on her face. He saw a fire in her eyes when they met his. Drunk as he was, he could tell the fervor she had in her eyes was different than the intensity that burned within him. Hers was full of vengeance.

  Luke tipped his half empty glass towards the man and then repeated the gesture towards Cara before he finished it off in one shot. He placed the empty glass on the bar and when he lifted his head, he saw those hazel eyes fixated on him as she made her way towards him. He swallowed the lump in his throat unable to tear his eyes away from hers. She slapped her hand on the bar and leaned closer to him.

  “Let’s go.” She said firmly and straightened her shoulders. He blinked. Did he hear her, right? He didn’t question her, though. She could ask him to help her bury a body and he was pretty sure he would do it, just to be close to her. No questions asked. She looked over at the other bartender that was cleaning up the tables. “Rob, I’m taking a break.” She nodded towards the bar and motioned for him to take it over as she slipped out from behind the bar. She looked over her shoulder at Luke, who was still planted on his stool staring at her.

  “Are you coming or what?” She said, her eyes blazing with fury.

  Luke pushed back the bar stool and stood to his full height. He reached into his pocket and pulled out some money, placing the bills on the bar to cover his night. He followed her down the hallway where the bathrooms were, but they didn’t stop there. She kept walking down the narrow passageway until they reached a door that had a sign on it that read “Employees Only”. She slipped her hand into her back pocket and pulled out a single key.

  Once she had turned the key in the lock, she opened the door and stepped inside. Luke followed completely unaware of where this was going. She closed the door behind them. The only light illuminating the office was the screensaver of the computer. Luke took in his surroundings for a moment before turning around to face Cara.

  She placed her hands on her hips and glared at him. “What’re you doing Luke?”

  He squinted and looked at her. What the fuck could he have done? He followed her here didn’t he? She had asked him to, didn’t she? “Excuse me?”

  She started to undo the buttons on her shirt. “Is this what you want?” She said through gritted teeth. “Huh?”

  Luke’s eyes widened as he took a step backward. The backs of his legs hit the front of the desk and he swallowed the lump in his throat as he watched her unbutton the last button. “Cara…” He warned.

  She pulled her shirt off vigorously. “Everyone can see it, you know… the way you look at me.” She reached behind her unclasping her bra. She cocked her head and brought her hands in front of her. She crossed her arms at her chest as her fingertips trailed over the straps of her bra. “Like I’m some forbidden fruit.”

  He should deny it and run the hell out of there, he thought, yet his feet didn’t move. His eyes fell from hers to her chest as she freed herself from her bra, dropping it to the floor in front of her. She stepped over the lace bra and closed the distance between them. He looked down at her, realizing for the first time how tiny she was compared to him. He towered over her by at a foot or so. Her leg brushed against his and he inhaled sharply.

  He needed to get control of himself. He made a promise, he reminded himself; a promise to his brother on his deathbed. He was only supposed to look after her. Her eyes found his in the darkness of the office. She was right. She was his forbidden fruit. “I’ll never be yours, you know.” She whispered.

  “I know.” He heard himself say as he lifted his hand to touch her cheek. His hand hesitated for a moment, afraid of what would happen when it actually connected with her flesh. She flinched as if he had smacked her when all he did is run his knuckles softly against her cheek.

  She closed her hand around his wrist. Luke noticed her eyes were green when they looked into his. “Every time I turn around, you’re there.” She said without any emotion in her voice. It was just a statement. “And you’re looking at me. I pretend not to notice half the time because I see the look in your eye. I know what you want.” Her voice began to catch and she tightened her hold on his wrist. She brought her free hand up and wrapped it around his neck. “Yet here I am offering you what you want and you haven’t grabbed me and taken it yet.” She tilted her head to the side and glared into his eyes. “I knew you wouldn’t follow through with it.” Her fingers worked the back of his neck. “Mr. Responsible always lets his conscience win in the end.” She all but whispered, each word taunting him.

  Something inside Luke snapped and he snatched his hand back and without so much as a second thought he grabbed her hips. He watched those bewitching eyes of hers go wide as he lifted her and spun her around dropping her roughly onto the desk. He spread her legs with his as he stepped between them. She opened her mouth to speak again. He didn’t want to hear another word come out of her pretty little mouth and without restraint his mouth crashed over hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. His tongue ran along the seam of her lips and she parted them, accepting him, inviting him to take what he wanted. He slid his tongue inside her mouth and stroked hers. He thought he had died, but then he realized he couldn’t have died because he was going to hell. Because he felt like what he was experiencing right there with Cara was a little sliver of heaven. She tasted of whiskey and the slightest hint of peppermint. His hunger for her couldn’t be tamed and so he took. He took everything she offered in hopes to suppress his hunger.

  Her skirt hitched around her thighs and when he slid his hand under the hem he felt the soft flesh there prickle as goose bumps arose. He hiked the skirt higher until it pooled around her waist. He felt her hand glide over his erection to the waistband of his jeans. With both hands, she worked the button of his jeans before she brought down the zipper. He slid a hand into the back pocket of his jeans and pulled out a condom. He tossed it beside her on the desk, then placed one hand on each of her kneecaps. H
e widened her legs before his hands traveled back up her thighs. He broke the kiss only to trail his mouth down her neck.

  A moan escaped from somewhere deep inside of her as she slipped her hands feverishly into the waistband of his boxers. She closed her hand over his dick just as he slid his fingers under the lace thong she wore. He bit back a moan as he dipped his fingers into her slick folds. Before he could think of, all the reasons he shouldn’t, he ripped her panties down her legs, shredding them in the process. She didn’t make a sound as he slipped them off her leg in a rush. She glanced up at him and that’s when he noticed the condom in between her fingers. He pushed his pants down in a hurry, along with his boxers. He took the wrapper from her trembling hand and pulled the condom out. He rolled it over the head before she took over and finished slipping it over the length of him.

  Cara braced her hands on the side of the desk, her eyes closed as he drove himself into her. It didn’t matter how wet she was, she was tight and with each inch he slid inside her he felt her muscles clench all around his dick. He looked at her as he slid himself out. Her eyes were still closed, so he pressed his finger under her chin and leaned over, his lips a breath from her ear.

  “Open your eyes and look at me.” He whispered gruffly. Her eyes fluttered open under his command as he drove himself back into her, her body arching in response. He wanted her to see it was him who was making his way inside her. He wanted her to know it was him she was wrapping her legs around bringing him deeper inside of her. And if only it was this one time he’d get to be with her, he wanted her never to forget it. He wanted her to suffer right along with him, because he was sure from this point forward he’d never be the same.

  His hips crashed against her, flesh smacking against flesh, and he could feel her tighten around him. Her nails clawed at his shoulders as the friction their bodies created rubbed along her clit and brought her to the edge. He kept his eyes on her as her body awakened in a violent outburst. She writhed and shook her head as if she was fighting herself not let herself feel what was happening. Her body won the battle and she cried out as her back arched and her walls clenched around him.