by Darcy Ray
I'm not sure how long I've been sitting vigilantly at her side, but when a hand settles on my back, I jump. Turning my attention away, I look to see who it is. With a Starbucks coffee cup in his hand, Frank looks down at me in concern. Giving him a half-ass smile, I reach up for the cup containing my fuel. With it near my grasp, a twitch jerks my attention to the limp hand I'm holding. The motion happens again, but this time it is more pronounced.
I quickly stand and nearly knock the chair over in the process. Stepping closer, I lean over the side rail and run my fingers through her hair to get it off her face. With a gentle tone, I whisper, "Tavia? Can you hear me? It’s me, Selene. Wake up, doll." Each word gains some kind of reaction, from scrunching her face to moving her eyes from side to side. I stand there, continuously stroking her hair, and patiently wait for her eyes to open.
Only a few seconds tick by before there is more movement. This time, however, it’s her legs. They slide around under the sheets, hidden from sight. I'm sure after laying in bed for many weeks has made her stiff. As if hearing my thoughts, a grimace mars her face and her lips purse. With a flick of her tongue, she tries to wet her lips, but even that’s dry.
Turning toward her bedside table, I grab the cup of ice water the nurse brought in and bring it to her mouth. "Tavia, open your mouth, I got some water for you." Again her lips pucker as if she is trying. To help her out, I dip my finger into the cup and rub the moisture onto the cracked skin. At the feeling of the moisture, she darts her tongue out once again. This time, I slide the straw into the space provided, and as if on instinct, she starts to suck down the water.
After a couple of gulps, her eyes finally start to open. Pulling the cup away, I blindly hand it over to Frank and focus my attention on my best friend. I watch her blink a few times and then she focuses on me. Instantly her confused expression leaves and slamming in its place is one of pure horror. Flinging herself forward, she grabs both my arms and starts to shake. Alarms start to go off, but that doesn't faze her; instead, she looks at me with pleading eyes and says, "Selene, you have to stop him! It’s Neal! He's going to kill Dominik. He's the one who orchestrated all this! He's the one who has been beating me! All because I knew too much. He didn't want me; he wanted to use me against you. Please, you have to stop him!" Catching sight of Frank, she turns to him and continues, "Frank, you gotta stop him and Butkus! They are working together, please!"
I can't help but stand there in shock. Shit, how did I forget? Tavia was in a coma before any of the shit went down. Looking around the room, I notice all the guys are standing around nervously. Looking down to her, I slip her hands off my arms and place my palms on her cheeks. "Octavia, look at me." She keeps pleading to Frank, so to get her attention, I forcibly turn her head toward me and stare down at her. "Octavia, Dominik is dead." With those words, she freezes.
Even with my hands bracing her head, she still starts to shake it. "No, no, no, no, no! This is all my fault! I should have said something!"
"Stop it! It's not your fault! Blaming yourself won't bring him back. So calm down before the nurses have to come in here and sedate you." My threat quiets her words, but the sobs still rock through her. Letting her go, I lower the bed railing and prop myself at her side. Reaching forward, I pull her to my chest and hold her.
Rocking side to side, I soothe her sobs, and eventually, she calms. With my hands bracing her shoulders, I lean back and look her dead in her eyes. "I'm going to talk to the nurse and see if there is any way I can get you out of this place and somewhere safe."
Wiping the tears from her eyes, she nods and lays back in the bed. The whole time she is cringing with pain. Looking around, I spot her pain pump and push the button to give her more meds. Standing from her bed, I set the rail back into place and watch Tavia’s eyes flutter shut. As everyone files out of the room, I hunt down the nurse to get all the arrangements taken care of. Thankfully, it doesn't take long, and less than an hour later, we are all piling back into our SUV. The things money and power can get you.
Flinging my keys into the bowl beside the door, I drag myself over to the large sectional and collapse down. Just as I get comfortable, my damn cell phone chirps. I let out a grumble and pull it from my back pocket to see who it is. When the screen flashes Jaime's name, I roll to the side and open his message.
J-Man: My love, do you have any plans tonight?
S: Not if I have any say in it. It's been a long week. Why, what’s up, babe?
J-Man: Would you like to join me for dinner tonight? Just the two of us?
S: Awe, of course! Just tell me when and where
J-Man: I'll be there to pick you up around six.
S: See you then babe <3
With a smile plastered on my face, I roll off the couch and wrap my arms around the first body I find. Frank’s bulging arms wrap over mine and pull me even closer to him. With my face pressed against his back, I breathe in his cologne and the essence that is him. His back vibrates as if he is talking, but from the constant beating of his heart and the vibrations, I don't hear a damn thing.
Leaning my head back, I say, "Ima need you to repeat that, babe, I couldn't hear you over the motor you got inside your chest."
This time when his back vibrates, it’s from his laughter. Pulling me around to the front of him, I look up to him and smile right back. Lifting one hand, he strokes my cheek and says, "I said, what's got you in such a good mood?"
"Well, it has everything to do with the fact that Jaime is taking me out tonight."
His face softens at my words. Bending down, he gives me a chaste kiss and pulls away. "What time is he going to be here to get you?" His lips are still so close to mine that I can feel them slide against mine as he speaks.
Pushing up onto my toes, I press our lips together. This time instead of a chaste kiss, I deepen it. Reaching up, I thread my hands into his hair and grip it. His mouth opens with a groan that allows my tongue to invade his mouth. His roaming hands slide down to my ass, which he grips and then lifts me up. Instantly, my legs wrap around his waist, and his growing erection is directly against my core.
I am so completely lost in my amazing ass make-out session with Frank that I don't pay attention to anything else around me. So when someone clears their throat, I quickly pull back to see who it is. Viktor sits at the kitchen table with a shit-eating grin and instantly, I know it was him. Rolling my eyes, I turn back to Frank, but before I can pick up where we left off, Viktor says, "What time is your date, doll?"
My eyes stay locked on Frank as I reply, "Six, why?"
"You might want to hold off on fucking the old man for a bit. It's five twenty-three and knowing you, you are going to need all those minutes to get ready." Letting out a grunt, Frank slowly lowers me back to the floor and then reaches down to readjust himself.
With a promise to pick up from where we left off, I turn toward the front door, so I can head to my apartment. Just as I close their door, I overhear "cockblocker" and “lucky fucker” being tossed around. With a final tug, I close the door the rest of the way and shake my head at their antics.
Chapter Eight
I have no idea where Jaime plans on taking me tonight, so I quickly shower and shave. Once all the suds are rinsed off, I speed out of the shower nearly busting my ass on the slick tiles. Thankfully, I gain my balance back in the nick of time and snatch the towel off the rack. Speeding out of the bathroom, I pat myself off and start to skim my closet for what I should wear.
I'm not sure how many times my eyes skimmed over the selection before I give up. Tossing my hair into a towel bun, I grab my phone from my bed and shoot a message over to Jaime, asking what he suggests. While I wait for his response, I don my undergarments and lather down in lotion. Just as I start to walk into the bathroom, my phone dings. All he replies back is "comfortable." Well, shit. That doesn't help much! I can be comfortable naked, in a pair of sweatpants, or a sundress. Letting out a sigh of frustration, I quickly tap my reply and toss my phone back onto the bed.
; He doesn't wanna give me more details, fine. Walking back to my closet, I pull out a pair of distressed capris, tan flats, and an off-the-shoulder jersey tee. It only takes a second to pull everything on, so I am left with a good amount of time to do my hair and makeup. Deciding to keep with the casual attire, I apply some neutral tones and keep my hair down so it can dry into its natural waves. A knock on my door causes me to scramble to finish.
Just as I spritz myself with some perfume, another knock sounds at this door. I open my mouth to yell out there, but the click of the door opening causes me to pause. With a final look in the mirror, I grab my phone and stroll out of my room. "About time you let yourself in. I've only told you like what, ten times now to get a copy of my apartment key." I might as well have been talking to my phone because the whole time I was speaking, that’s where I was looking.
However, doing that wasn't my smartest decision, because the voice that responds back has me looking up from my phone in surprise. "My, my. If I had known it was that easy to get in, I would have been here sooner." The deep and sensual tone Sasha just gave me causes a chill to overtake me. Noticing the reaction he gave me, he flashes me a seductive grin that only makes the sexual tension between us grow. Frozen in place, I watch as he makes his way over to me. His movements are full of swagger, but his eyes say something different—they blaze as if he is starving and I'm the prey.
He is nearly toe to toe with me before the ringing of my phone grabs my attention. With my eyes locked on his, I take a few steps back to compose myself. After a few deep breaths, I finally check my phone and notice it’s Jaime.
"Well, hello my papi chulo."
"Mi amor, I just wanted to let you know I'm down the street. I know you like taking your time to get ready."
"Well, how the table has turned, I'm actually waiting on you."
Letting out a chuckle and a content sigh, he replies, "I'll see you soon, my love. Stay feisty!"
After giving him a kiss through the phone, I hang up and shove it back in my pocket. Looking back at Sasha, he meets my gaze and arches his brow. Shaking my head, I turn him by his shoulders and push him toward the door. "You can't stay. I have somewhere to be, and you aren't invited."
"Are you sure about that? You don't want to pick up where we left off?" His rich accent caresses me in ways I enjoy entirely too much. "I have other things you can try. The tricks my tongue can do, and I'm sure I have something that will make you scream." Fuck, his voice is so fucking husky and laced with lust.
I push him all the way to the door without saying a single word. I don't trust my voice, and I know the second I say anything, he will know the effect his presence has on me. We finally reach the entrance, and just as soon as I let up on the pressure from pushing him, he snatches my wrist and pulls me in front of him. Taking a step back, I run into the door and freeze. Fuck.
His fiery gleam only shines brighter as I try to slide out from in front of him, but before I can even get anywhere, his arms box me in, and he is completely against me. Tilting my head back to scowl at him, I find myself only a breath’s distance from his lips. If I were to lick mine, I would touch his, and even though I want to, it's not going to happen. Not even if the feeling of his fucking dick pressing against my abdomen feels amazing.
Raising my hands, I brace them on his chest and push. "Look, it's not going to happen. Yes, you’re sexy as hell, but I love them. Plus, five dicks are enough."
Dropping his arms, he sighs and grunts. "It may not happen now, but baby, you know we need to happen. Until then, I'll be around." The moment he steps back from me, all the heat surging my body leaves.
Shaking my head, I turn and open the door only to find Jaime on the other side. Letting out a squeal, I jump into his arms and wrap my legs around him."God, I missed you, J. Don't stay away for so long!" I don't care if I'm pouting or what Sasha is thinking right now, this is my man, and I haven't seen him in a couple of weeks.
With one arm holding me, he threads his fingers through my waves and smashes my lips to his. Our kiss is full of apologies and the urgency to be together. Our tongues slide against each other, and I suck on his full lips which makes him groan. With our lips still locked, he carries me into my apartment and sits me on the counter. His hands glide up my waist and onto my breasts where he rubs his thumb over the top of my peaked nipples. Frustrated from the shirt keeping up apart, he lifts it up to take it off.
Pulling back from him, I catch a very attentive Sasha propped against the wall watching everything going on as if he is watching a live-action porno. Squeezing my arms down, I stop Jaime in his tracks. He starts to protest, so I grasp his jaw and turn his attention to our audience. "Who the fuck is that?" Jaime's jaw clenches underneath my grip, and I can see his eyes dilate with aggravation.
Straightening from the wall, Sasha pulls a hand from his pocket and extends it in greetings. "My name is Sasha. I'm Selene’s—"
I have no idea what he is planning on saying, so I quickly cut him off, "He's my business partner. That's it. He was actually just leaving when you arrived, love." Sensing the finality of my tone, Sasha balls his hand up and shoves it back into his pocket. Flicking my attention over to Jaime, I see he is puffed up with his arms crossed over his chest. His sleeves are damn near being ripped apart from his hulking biceps.
"I think that's a smart idea. Here, let me escort you out." Jaime is basically growling as he talks and without even waiting for a response from Sasha, he stomps over to the front door, swings it open, and points. "Leave."
Nodding his head goodbye to me, Sasha takes a few steps back and then turns on his heel. The whole time, Jaime has his scowl locked on him, stalking the man who dares to step foot into my home. I can't help but shake my head and smile at how territorial he is being. Hell, I find it a little bit cute.
Sasha is barely out the door before Jaime slams it shut. Not bothering to see if it injured him, Jaime prowls over to me and slides in between my legs. Delving his hands underneath my shirt, he reaches up and pinches my nipples, making me jump. Through a devious smile, he says, "Now, where were we?"
Fighting against a moan, I grasp his wrist and pull it from under my shirt and put it up against my lips. "I believe you promised me a date." With a kiss to his wrist, I release it and start to slide off the counter.
With a reluctant sigh, he helps me off the counter and kisses the top of my head. "That I did, I hope you are ready for a little drive."
"How far is a little?"
"No more than thirty minutes." With a slap on the ass, he walks off and opens the door for me. "Whenever you're ready, mi amor." Instead of the scowl, he gives me a dimple-popping smile. Not wanting to cause any reason for that dimple to hide, I grab my wallet and waltz out the door with Jaime following right behind me.
Thankfully, Sasha has cleared the hall. Where he could go in such a short time beats me, but if I had to guess, I would say he is pestering Frank, Joe, Viktor, and Godfrey in their apartment. Not wanting to cause any further delays, I bypass their door and enter the elevator that Jaime is holding open for me. As soon as I walk in, Jaime pulls me over to him, turns my back toward him and wraps his arms around me. With my head leaning back against his chest, I close my eyes and let his warmth soak into me.
We've been on the road for nearly thirty minutes now with the radio blasting a mix of Spanish and hip hop music. The bass booms with the beat and my hips sway in the seat. Jaime’s Shelby GT500 purrs like no other, it's a beast, just like its owner. The interior is all black which stands in contrast to the white exterior and to make it pop; there are neon blue lights illuminating the accents.
Another great song starts to play, so I let the beat sink into me, but just as the intro starts, Jaime reaches over and turns the volume down. With a hand on the shifter, he looks over to me with a smirk and says, "As much as I would love to ride around jamming out to music with you, mi amor, we are a couple of minutes away. My madre knows everyone, and if they tell her we blasted music down their street, sh
e will take a chancla to my ass."
Sitting up in my seat, I look at him in horror. "Wait! We are meeting your mom? You didn't tell me that! I would have dressed nicer! Jaime, not fair! I call foul!" Holy shit, I've never met anyone's parents—like ever. So knowing that I'm going over there as his girlfriend puts on a whole new level of stress I’ve never dealt with before. Frantically, I start to straighten out my hair and cover any line of cleavage showing.
Reaching over, Jaime grabs my hand and pulls it up to his lips. "I didn't tell you because I know you wouldn't have come. She has been on my case for a couple of years now to meet someone, and now that I have you, I think it's time for her to meet you." With a kiss to the back of my hand, he releases it, downshifts the car, and turns into a driveway.
Whipping my head around, I take in my surroundings. With the only light outside being the moon, not much is visible. The house we pulled up to is a Spanish style home with a perfectly manicured lawn, a two-car garage, and a yard full of people. "Jaime. What if they know me . . ." I can't keep my eyes off the abundant amount of people walking around. Some with plates of food, others with Coronas, and some with kids on their hip. Shit.
"It's gonna be fine, just wait. If anyone says anything to you, let me know. I'll handle it." Jaime sounds so calm and nonchalant about everything. Oddly enough, it makes my anxiety so much worse. How can I be perfectly okay with thousands of people seeing my pussy and many of them have had their fingers inside of me, but coming here shakes me to the core?
The sound of his door opening makes me jump in my seat. Whirling around, I watch as he climbs out, closes his door, and makes his way around the car to my side. Before I think to lock myself inside, he has my door open. The music that pours from inside the house slides into my ears and drowns out the thud of my heart. Jaime reaches a hand out to me and holds it there. He doesn't rush or scowl at me; instead, he patiently waits.