Never Say Never (The Ladies Who Brunch, #1)

by Harlow James

Have you ever had a person in your life you could classify as a frenemy? Someone you have to play nice with, tolerate, and act like you like them—but deep down, you both try to outdo the other and feel deep joy when you succeed? Well, that’s Damien for me.

Every woman needs a group of women to surround herself with that make her feel confident enough to be exactly who she is.

“That feels so good. You can go harder if you like.”

“Sometimes a woman just needs to be fucked, and fucked well. Hair pulling, ass smacking, dirty talking sex.”

“Sorry, Charlotte. The only time I come second is after the woman I’m with comes first.”

right?” Public service announcement, ladies: Don’t ever go after a guy with the intent to be the exception for him. You are not the one that gets to decide that. He is. And if you keep pursuing him and he doesn’t want to commit, you’re the only person who looks like an idiot in that situation for going after a man that clearly doesn’t want to be the guy you need him to be.

“Well, nothing like a fake relationship and childhood enemies reconnecting to break you out of a funk, am I right?” she jokes.

“Watch me,” I command, waiting for her eyes to meet mine again before pushing two fingers back inside of her and then flicking her clit with my tongue, gently drawing circles before I pick up the pace and suck her clit between my lips. “Fuck, Damien.” “You taste so fucking good, Charlotte.” “I’m close.” “Take your time, babe,” I say as I bask in the moment of having my head between her thighs. This is definitely not a situation I ever thought I’d be in with Charlotte, but damn, I am not complaining right now.

I settle into my couch Sunday morning with my cup of tea, full of honey and lemon since my throat feels a little dry, clicking on the television to find something to watch. And normally, I’d have no problem finding a show to binge, rewatch an old favorite movie to pass the time, or hell, even do a puzzle. Yes, I like puzzles.

“Because for some reason, having you back in my life has brightened my days, Char. And I don’t want that brightness to dull just yet.”

“You want me to fuck you, Charlotte?” “That’s what I said.” “You want hard and fast or slow and sweet, babe?” “Fuck me until I can’t walk, Damien,” she says, reaching up to play with her nipples as she drops her legs open and shows me her pussy. Tossing my shirt to the side and then popping the button on my jeans, I shove them down my legs with my boxer briefs as well and then reach down to stroke myself as she glances down at my cock. “You want my cock, Char?” She licks her lips. “Yes…” “I wanna make sure you’re ready for me first, babe. Get on your hands and knees.” With a gleam of delight in her eyes, she maneuvers herself on my bed, granting me the perfect view of her ass as she perches it in the air. “Fuck, you look perfect like this.” “Please touch me, Damien,” she

“Don’t settle for a spark. Light a fire instead.”

“Being a strong woman doesn’t mean that you’re not allowed to be human, Charlotte. Being strong doesn’t mean that you’re not allowed to have moments of weakness or make mistakes. Being strong means admitting when you made them and working to correct them. It means knowing when you’ve had enough and setting boundaries to maintain your inner peace so you can live your life the way you want to. Being strong means having people around you to pick you up when you’ve fallen—because it happens to everyone—and knowing you can lean on them when your plate goes crashing to the floor.”

“A parent’s love is supposed to be unconditional. It’s ingrained from conception. No matter what mistakes their children make, a good parent knows that inherently they will be there for their kids no matter what. But a child’s love for their parents doesn’t have to be unconditional. Parents have to earn their children’s respect and love. Just being someone’s mother isn’t enough to validate that love and respect. And if they damage that relationship, it’s up to them to repair it. Let your mother own her mistakes.”

Life is too short to surround yourself with shitty people, and there is only so much of yourself that you should give before you finally realize that what you have to offer will never be enough for some people—and that is okay.”