“That was a figure of speech.”
“So, you don’t love me then.”
“Taylor, of course, I...”
“Say it.” He looks me in the eyes. How is it that he can look so needy and arrogant at the same time?
“Taylor, I’m not going to say that I love you.”
He grabs my shoulders, pressing his cheek against mine and his mouth more firmly on my ear before he lets out a gravelly growl. “Errr, I don’t want to hear you say you love me. I want to hear you say you’ll let me take care of you. Just for today. Just for right now.”
I have no idea what he means, but whatever it is, there’s no way he’s going to end up happy taking care of a girl with a foot named Tucker.
“Maybe you should take me home now.”
He leans back onto the stool, letting go, and we make eye contact. “It’s the foot, isn’t it? You’re embarrassed about it.”
I get up, grabbing my cane. “It’s not the foot.”
He grips under my arm and takes the cane from me! “I want to see it.”
Is he fucking crazy? “No! I’m not showing you my foot.” I reach for the cane but he tucks it behind him. My jaw tenses as I speak. “Give that back.”
“Show me the foot.”
“It’s not happening.”
“Ree, have you ever shown your foot to anyone before?”
My eyes are getting hot. “Taylor, please. I’d like to go home now.”
He maneuvers my cane so it's hanging from the island’s counter far behind him before he turns to badger me more. “Have you ever made out with anyone before?”
I shift my weight in an attempt to walk and feel the sharp stab of pain pierce through my tendons. “Taylor, I don’t want to talk about this.”
I’m so embarrassed.
Especially with him!
“Please.” A tear escapes my eye and rolls down my cheek. I quickly wipe it away. “Can you just take me home?”
“Baby, you need to talk about this.”
Baby? Where the hell did that come from?
“Tell me, have you ever been kissed before?” he asks. “And I don’t mean a peck on the mouth like the one you gave your buddy last night. I mean a real kiss. I need to know so I can figure out how fast or slow I need to take this.”
“Take what?” What the hell is he talking about?
“This kiss I’m about to give you.”
Kiss? He’s about to kiss me?
I think I’m about to faint.
He grabs my face again between his hands, spearheading that stubborn stare straight through my line of sight once again. “I’m going to kiss you now. Are you ready?”
I gulp. I have no idea how the hell we got to this point, but I can’t look away. His deep blue eyes are sparkling like twilight right before nightfall when stars first twinkle—awakening—to come out and play.
I’m fairly confident Taylor’s not going to let me leave unless I play with him—kiss him. Just like Jasmaine can’t accept Ben doesn’t like her, I don’t think Taylor is going to take “no” for an answer. The beautiful people sure do have difficulty in not getting what they want.
Just look at him! Moving in. I didn’t even give him an answer telling him whether I was ready yet, but he’s got my head locked in his grasp and he’s got the look of determination, coming closer as I try to lean back.
I consider perhaps I should just let Taylor have it—a kiss. My first one was botched by my BFF last night anyway and it would be nice to have a memory where I’m fully mouthing one of my dream men—and not as a favor.
Taylor bends my head back once more and swipes my hair completely away from my hairline. “You don’t have to admit it, Ree. I know this is going to be your first real kiss, so I’ll go soft on you. Okay?”
I hesitate. I don’t answer.
Instead, I look at his lips—full, pouty, perfect, plump. They look so sweet and tasty but poisonous. I’m getting this feeling that the second our lips meet, I’m going to fall into a dreamy deep sleep and I’ll never want to wake up again.
I close my eyes, breathing heavily with anticipation when...
I jut my eyes open, remembering. “I just ate. Maybe I should brush my teeth first. I taste like—”
“Relax, baby,” he chuckles. “Close your eyes.”
And there he goes again calling me “baby.” You know damn well, Rerun, you are going to do whatever he asks even if he’d called you “sir.”
Looking into his deep, dark indigos as if I’ve fallen into the sea, I find myself drifting...
...sinking...
“And besides,” he grunts darkly, blowing hot air into my mouth, “ginger salmon is my favorite. I’m going to love tasting it on you.”
Instantly, I open my mouth to protest with an I-told-you-so (I knew salmon was his favorite!) but Taylor’s lips silence me. He plants the tender warmth of lush pressure on my mouth and dips his tongue in to lightly brush against the tip my own tongue. The slippery light rub is so sweet, it catches me off guard. I whimper.
He moans in response and his tongue drives deeper. My head, my shoulders, and then my body tip back. I’m about to crash land onto the floor behind me as I feel myself sloping—falling—backward but I’m caught by Taylor’s arm, hooking around my waist, pulling me flush against him.
I’m completely pressed against his heat. My back arches. My chest floats up as he presses his mouth down harder.
Our heads bob wildly as he devours me and a sudden fear that I’m about to get bit—eaten—is calmed when I’m filled with the scent of him. I smell him everywhere. I feel him everywhere. He’s invading every one of my senses. It’s not just the scent of the products he uses but the scent of his skin I smell. I can’t describe it but it makes me hungry. Hungry enough to devour him back.
Except, I let him lead (at least, I think I am) because I have no idea what I’m doing. He makes me feel at ease, granting sweet little morsels of licks and nibbles until one of his rough claws digs into the upper cushion of my bottom.
My chest rises even higher—my breasts perking up. I don’t understand how my front can react to what’s going on at my behind. He grabs my ass harder and I moan into his mouth. His other hand reaches the nape of my neck where he presses firmer, forcing our mouths to fully merge and melt together.
Oh, his taste. With every stroke of his tongue making my pulse quicken and my body temperature rise, the slick trails he leaves across my lips become a sugary sweet wet mess I find myself desperate to drink and swallow.
He kisses me more heavily—sinfully—as his hands begin to wander over my body and up my front. I gasp when he pulls my head away, breaking our suction.
He locks eyes with me. His chest rises and falls in great waves as he blows hot steam across my face. “Are you sure you haven’t done this before?”
I shake my head as my cheeks flush warm. My heart is pounding and I wonder if he can feel my pulse through my ears caught between his palms.
The tip of his nose finds mine. He’s just standing there. Looking at me. Seemingly trying to focus and I worry. “Am I doing this wrong?”
“Uh...” He licks his lips again. “You’re doing good. Really, really good. So good, in fact, we should probably lie down.”
Logic beats me over the head with a big fat no, but, “Okay” plops right out of my mouth.
He picks me up. Whoa! One-handedly, he carries me by the waist towards his bed as he uses his other hand to easily rake his hair back, smoothing the flyaways.
Clearly, this man is well-rehearsed in maneuvering a woman. It’s like I’m nothing—a doll in his arms. My legs swing, and when we are near the bed. He does a swift twist at his waist and with a bend of his arm, he picks me up from under my knees and lays me on the bed—flat.
Quickly, he also becomes flat.
Hovering over me.
Then, lowering himself on to me.
To kiss me.
Crush me.
Grip me.
&nbs
p; Grab me.
Grope me.
Wedging his knees between mine, he grinds his hips roughly against me.
He plants his mouth in my neck—licking—and...
His hardness knocks against the entrance to my core.
Oh, Jesus!
His whole body begins to roll. Every inch of him is actively engaged. I can even feel the shapeliness of his ripped muscles through the fabric of our clothes. And his hands are everywhere!
Suddenly, he feels extremely heavy and loose, like he’s completely letting go except where his hands grip and his mouth sucks. He’s getting wild. And hot! His mouth is at my neck and the heat pouring out of him is becoming unbearable. My skin is dampening amidst the fire. I can’t understand this. And I can’t understand how his hand, suddenly sliding so soft and smoothly up my inner thigh and nearly at my junction can also create so much friction—so much heat! His fingertips trace up to the space between my legs where he finds the elastic of my underwear and attempts to slip his finger under, which sets me on fire. I think I’m about to get burned alive!
“Taylor,” I give out a warning.
“Yeah,” he stiffens, coming up for air. His hair is a mess, his face has turned crimson, and his lips look as swollen as mine feel.
“We shouldn’t,” I say softly.
“Awh, but baby, we should,” he exhales, rolling his hips, attempting to excite me, which it does although my body falls relaxed. He lowers his head once again to kiss the top of my breast, which makes me purr and he grinds himself against me until I realize...
I claw my fingers into his scalp and pull his head back by his hair. “This has gone too far.”
Really, it has. I have no idea why I let Taylor kiss me.
Because deep down, you know that a fake kiss with Ben and a pity kiss from Taylor would be the only chances you’d ever have at kissing anyone.
“This was fun, but would you mind if we stop now?” I try to sound polite.
This is my fault. I’m supposed to be a professional and I don’t want Taylor getting upset before this turns sour and he decides to fire me. I also don’t want him to think this is his fault when he comes to his senses. It’s clear he has issues throwing blame around, including at himself when things are beyond anyone’s control.
“I don’t want to stop. I think we should keep going.” He peeps down at the place he just kissed and tugs on my dress to expose more breast to him, but I pull at the fabric before I become fully exposed.
“Taylor—”
“Rerun.” He sits back and I regret that I already miss the weight of him. “I’m not going to hurt you, okay?” He runs his hands down my front and grips my hips, digging his thumbs into my soft abdomen. “I know you’re new at this. I’ll be gentle. And there’ll be no strings attached. There are no expectations here. Not for you. Not for me. Let’s just enjoy ourselves. Let me help you. I think...” His lashes flutter, beggingly. “I just want to take your pain away for a little while.”
My pain? He just made it worse! He’s even sweeter than I’d hoped and there’s no way I should let him feel accountable for any of my physical pain.
“Taylor, I didn’t come here to—”
There’s a knock on the door.
“Taay-lor,” a woman sings.
“Fuck,” he leans his head back and curses again silently before he swivels his neck to bark. “What do you want?”
“You weren’t at rehearsal and you’re not answering anyone’s calls.”
“Shit.” He looks at me pitifully and points a finger. “Don’t move.”
Of course, I move. The second Taylor gets up to go answer the door, I maneuver the best I can off the bed to hobble with one foot and straighten his comforter flat. I know exactly who’s outside, and if she sees me in here with her ex, there’s sure to be trouble.
Diamond isn’t just a beautiful dancer, but a legend all her own. She’s a rare bird made a millionaire through dance, but she’s also young. And spoiled. And wickedly obsessed with Taylor. She thinks she owns him.
She had everyone fooled that they were a couple, especially over social media, and the public loved it. I couldn’t understand how Taylor never reacted to any of the lies, but now that I know him better, I think I understand. He truly doesn’t care about anything other than dance. Well, and getting laid with no strings attached.
“I’m not feeling good,” he says, opening the door just slightly.
“Can I come in?” Diamond asks, making me feel uneasy.
Looking towards the kitchen island, I see my cane is there. I look down at my clothes and fix them before I try to take a step onward.
Ow, Tucker! My foot throbs with just one step.
Taylor and Diamond are arguing now and I realize I need to make it over to the kitchen island before she storms in here. The last thing I need is for Diamond to catch me in her ex’s place and go public with anything. She posts dozens of pictures a day, including of all the drama that goes on at the school. If she posts anything of me and Taylor together, I could lose my job!
And I can’t have that. I love my apartment. I’ve had it for one whole year and it’s the longest I’ve ever lived in one place. Not to mention, I’ve decorated it exactly how I like.
Desperate, I take another painful step towards the island and another, but I don’t want to move too fast. If I should tumble, it’s going to be difficult to get up.
The argument outside is getting heated and a few bumps vibrate through the wall as if she’s physically trying to beat her way in, at him, to get through the door. I decide to hop on one foot back to the island, which I suddenly regret because the floor shakes.
“Who’s that?” questions Diamond.
“It’s nobody.”
“But somebody is in there? You asshole,” she snaps. “You ditched rehearsal with me and our new choreographer to screw someone.”
“No.”
Oh jeez, Taylor is a terrible liar. Could his tone have sounded any more suspicious?
“Let me in.” I hear Diamond fighting to barge through.
“No,” Taylor snaps. “You’re not welcome in my apartment anymore.”
I hear more shuffling as I swiftly make my way to the island and sit in the stool. My foot is throbbing painfully beyond belief but I wipe the sweat at my brow and then smile as Diamond, beautiful Diamond, throws herself passed Taylor and into his apartment.
“Hello,” I smile.
“Who the fuck are you?” she snaps.
Taylor is rubbing his face.
I reach out for a handshake. “I’m Rerun. I’m Taylor’s social media-slash-marketing manager.” I widen my smile. “Diamond, I’m so excited to meet you. Taylor and I were just discussing doing a photoshoot tomorrow evening and if you’re free—”
“Photoshoot?”
I bob my head. “Yes.”
“No,” Taylor interjects, giving me the stern stare down.
“Is this why you didn’t want me in here? Because you don’t want me to be a part of the photoshoot?” Diamond taps her foot with her arms crossed then flails her arms at Taylor when he doesn’t respond. “What is it with you? Why have you been so distant lately? It's like you’re some other person nowadays. Even your grandmother thinks so.”
“You’ve been talking to Penny?” Taylor’s brows are pinched.
Diamond unfolds her arms. “We worry about you. Why weren’t you at rehearsal? You were expected to be there almost an hour ago.”
He walks over to the stove. “Well, I’m sorry I made you wait. I’ll clean up and meet you at the studio in a few.”
“I took an Uber here,” she says. “You have to bring me back with you.”
Taylor shakes his head and gives me the most pitiful frown I’ve ever seen.
Diamond eyes me suspiciously and looks at the plate in front of me plus Taylor’s plate still topped with uneaten salmon. “Did he cook for you?”
“Mmm... yes.” I try to reply nonchalantly.
She spies the c
ane and my foot. “Is there something wrong with you?”
“I guess you could say that.” I bow my head.
“What is it? Are your legs broken? It looks permanent. Is it permanent?”
“It is, but just the one.”
“So, you’re not a dancer.”
“No.”
“Hey!” Taylor turns around and points the dirty pan at Diamond. “Why don’t you wait outside?”
“You know, he’s never cooked for anyone but me,” she says, ignoring him.
I’m a little thrilled but I maintain a straight face hoping to diffuse the rising tension. “He was just taking pity on me,” I assure her. “It’s a lot of work for me to get around.”
“Right,” she says, flipping her beautiful long black hair off her shoulders. “Does his grandmother know about you?”
“She knows,” Taylor grumbles, scrubbing the pan in the sink rather harshly. I dispute telling him to lighten up before he scrubs the Teflon right off.
“Penny and I work closely together,” I add. “Believe it or not, this is only the second time I’ve ever met with Taylor and I’ve been his manager for a year now.”
“Does his grandmother know you’ve overextended your appointment with him and made him late for rehearsal today?”
Taylor whips the soapy pan around, flying suds across me and half the kitchen, then points the pan repeatedly at Diamond as he raises his voice. “That’s not her fault. Diamond, you have a real problem with creating drama and I swear to God if you keep up with this shit because you’re jealous—”
“Jealous?” she sasses. “Please. But seriously, is there something going on here? Something Penny should know about?”
“I said stop or I swear to God!” Taylor flies the pan back into the sink, which makes a crashing sound and I flinch, then cower. I see it doesn’t affect Diamond in the least.
“Swear to God what? You might have everyone fooled in thinking you’re this reincarnated beautiful rendition of your mother come back to life, but I know the real you, Taylor. You’re a dick.”
I can’t believe she’s egging him on!
“You know what, you cunt? Next time I have you in the air...” He picks up the pan and lets go, making a clamor. “I’ll fucking drop you. I can’t wait to drop you.”
The Kisser Page 9