by K. Langston
“I would love to. Which one would I use?”
“This one. It’s a semi-automatic.”
Caleb shows me the rest of his collection along with some of his other toys. He’s a big fan of dinosaurs too and can recite their technical names and what they eat.
After he finishes explaining the difference between the Mesozoic and Jurassic era, I excuse myself to go to the ladies’ room. When I come out, I’m greeted by one of the guys Justin introduced me to when we first arrived. Kurt, I think that’s his name, but everyone calls him Holcomb. He leans against the wall, a cold expression on his face.
“So you’re Del Marco’s daughter,” he slurs, and it puts me on high alert.
I try to move past him but he throws his arm up, blocking me. He’s a big guy. Not as big as Justin, but intimidating nonetheless.
“Excuse me.” I try to sidestep him again but he moves his body this time.
“What’s your hurry?”
“I just…I need to find Justin. He’s probably looking for me.”
“I doubt it.”
As soon as the words leave his mouth, Justin comes into view, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
He has been looking for me.
His brows bunch together, and I know he is just as confused by Kurt’s aggressive stance as I am.
Kurt drops his arm, stepping aside to let me through. Justin immediately tucks me under his arm. “You okay?” he asks, and the concern in his voice warms my blood.
I nod, casting my eyes downward to stare nervously at my hands.
“She’s a little young for you, don’t you think?” Kurt slurs, and the energy shifts in the small confined space of the hallway, centered around the man next to me.
Justin takes a step forward, his jaw clenched tight. Fear trickles down my spine but I’m not scared for me. “What the fuck did you just say?”
“You heard me.”
My heart thrums in my chest as Justin reaches out and curls his fingers around the collar of Kurt’s shirt, shoving him up against the wall. “What I do is none of your goddamn business.”
Kurt lets out a diabolical laugh. “Go ahead and fuck that spic. It’s your reputation on the line. Not mine.” As soon as the words leave his mouth, Justin’s fist collides with Kurt’s nose, and the sound of bones cracking fills the air as Kurt falls to the floor, blood pouring between his fingers into his hand. “You motherfucker, you broke my nose!”
“Good. You ever spout that shit about her again, I’ll do far worse.”
Jimmy comes barreling around the corner. “What the hell happened?”
“He was running his mouth so I shut him up.”
Jimmy helps Kurt to his feet. “Come on, I’ll have Marshall take you home.”
Kurt jerks his arm from Jimmy’s grasp. “I don’t need your fucking help. I’ll drive myself home.”
“The hell you will. You’ve been drinking all day. You’re not driving anywhere.”
Kurt spits blood at Justin’s feet. “You’ll pay for this, motherfucker.”
Justin remains silent as Jimmy pushes Kurt to the mouth of the hall.
I let go of a pent-up sigh, thankful to be away from him.
Once we say our good-byes and April apologizes repeatedly for Kurt’s behavior, which was completely unnecessary, we head back home.
The drive is quiet. Justin fists his hand around the steering wheel, jaw clenched tight.
I hate that he got into a fight because of me. Had I not been there, none of that would have happened.
Kurt’s drunken rant fills me with guilt, and soon, Justin isn’t the only one brooding.
Tension fills the cab and after several long minutes, I mutter a quiet apology. Justin grunts, but makes no attempt to say anything or spare me a glance, and by the time we pull into the driveway, I’m left wondering if I’m causing him more pain than happiness.
Selena apologized several times on the way home. Then, when we got back to the house, she apologized again.
“I’m sorry.”
“Stop apologizing. It’s not your fault,” I snap, instantly regretting it.
Kurt has me all worked up. Bastard is lucky I didn’t do worse. He’s been on the department for a couple of years. One of my best officers. He can be an asshole sometimes but I didn’t know he was a racist prick.
She flinches at my harsh tone. “I know, but I don’t like seeing you so angry.”
“I’m not angry with you. I’m angry with him.” Bracing my hands on the counter of the kitchen, I bow my head, trying to get a handle on my anger. I take in several deep breaths, feeling like I have control of my emotions, but when I turn around, Selena is not there. I climb the stairs two at a time and arrive at her closed door, the light on underneath. I quietly knock and when she doesn’t immediately respond, I knock again, prepared to break down the fucker if I need to.
The door swings open. Selena’s eyes are red and puffy, her cheeks stained with tears, and my heart clenches tight.
“If me staying with you is causing you trouble, I can go.”
Reaching for her hand, I pull her close, gathering her in my arms. She rests her head on my chest, her sweet scent invading my nose and calming my racing heart instantly. “You’re not going anywhere.”
She lifts her eyes to mine. “I just don’t want to be a burden to you.”
“You could never be a burden to me.”
I tuck a piece of hair behind her ear and drop a kiss to her forehead. Fuck, this woman has one hell of a hold on me. Even if I wanted to, there’s no way I could let her go right now.
I’m beginning to wonder if I ever will.
My lips seize hers, the intoxicating taste of innocence and desire potent on her tongue, and I’ll do anything to claim them both.
Threading my fingers through the back of her hair, I pull her closer, deepening the kiss, breathing every single breath of hers in. God, she’s beautiful and tastes so goddamn sweet.
Walking her backward, I kick the door closed behind me then spin her around to press her against it, bringing my hands to the back of her legs. I lift her up and she instinctively jumps to wrap them around my waist. Her fingers rake greedily across my skin, like she can’t get deep enough.
Close enough.
“Justin,” she pants, no, pleads into my mouth. “Make love to me.”
Christ almighty.
I never thought four little words could be so powerful but the moment she says them, my control is demolished.
Obliterated.
My fingers flex at her hips before releasing to wrap my arms around her body, holding her close to me while I carry her to the bed. She melts into me, grinding herself against my body, and I damn near come in my jeans right then.
Laying her down in the center of the bed, I follow right behind, still worshiping her perfect mouth.
Goddamn this mouth.
I know it like the back of my hand now. Every curl and angle and this delicious tongue. She tastes like a hot summer night and a cool Sunday morning.
Countering my weight on my elbow, I cover her body, pressing myself against her. Her legs spread wider, welcoming me, her neck heating beneath my palm. My thumb smooths over her silky jaw while my lips slow their relentless assault.
“You have all the control here, Selena,” I whisper, holding her eyes. “Tell me you want this.”
Her eyes lock on mine.
Confident.
Assured.
Ready.
“I want you.”
Justin’s eyes burn with the same fire raging in my heart. The fire that only burns for him.
His mouth descends once more, exploring mine. I squirm beneath him, the ache between my legs growing more and more intense.
Shifting off to the side, he pulls up the hem of my dress, the fabric dragging across my skin, instigating a wave of goose bumps. My body is on fire, my skin burning with so much heat that I feel like I might melt right here on this bed. His hand moves to my stomach, gliding smoothly from hip to hip.
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“Justin, please,” I beg.
“I love hearing you beg. I love hearing this pretty little mouth telling me what this pussy needs,” he whispers, slipping a finger inside of me.
“Oh God.”
He kisses the corner of my mouth as I cling to him tighter, feeling as if I’m going to fly from the bed.
“So tight,” he murmurs, dropping heated kisses to my neck. “And wet. I love how wet you get for me.”
Air passes between my lips at such a rapid rate it’s almost embarrassing, but I don’t have the forethought to even care because what I am feeling right now overrides everything else.
He kisses my jaw, then my cheek before countering his weight on his elbow to gaze down at me. While he slowly pumps his finger in and out. With each thrust of his hand he pushes me toward that elusive cliff, anxious and heady to tip over the edge. Heat builds. His finger leaves me to travel up and down the wet valley of my core, spreading my arousal before plunging back inside of me. I moan in pleasure but Justin steals it from my mouth before it has a chance to escape.
“I can feel you.” He presses his finger deeper. “You’re close.” My blood soars as pressure builds. “Want more?” he offers on a low growl.
“More,” I breathe.
He adds a second finger and my vision blurs as he curls them both, finding a spot inside of me that could easily double as a detonator, causing me to explode. I clench around him, twisting his shirt in my hand as my body convulses, a gush of heat causing my thighs to tremble and my heart to shake.
After a few more pumps of his fingers, dragging out the remaining tremors, Justin pulls his fingers from between my legs and licks the shiny digits. Then he kisses me, long and deep. I can taste the hint of myself on his tongue and it only fuels my desire.
Once he’s done a number on my mouth, he unbuttons my dress and lowers his head to kiss the exposed skin. My body heats even more when those warm lips move to the swell of my breast, then the center. His forefinger dips beneath the fabric to reveal my nipple, covering it with his hot mouth.
Every single breath is so precious, so urgent. My back arches from the bed, offering him more, my heart pleading to give him everything.
Moving his hand beneath my breast, he holds it in place as he slowly licks the hard bud, making it tighten further. Then he moves to the next breast, taking it into his mouth and showing it the same rapt attention he did the other.
With his eyes pinned on mine, he abandons my breasts and sits up on his knees. Reaching behind his shoulders, he pulls his T-shirt over his head, revealing his incredible body. Every inch of him is hard and chiseled to perfection. Licking my lips in anticipation, my fingers curl in the blanket beneath me.
He grins. “Do you want to touch me, Selena?”
I nod, unable to speak.
He reaches for my hand, pulling me to sit up as his knees straddle my upper thighs. I’m eye level with his abdomen, and I can practically feel the intensity radiating from his body.
Placing my hand in the center of his stomach, a shiver races through me at the distinct contrast. He may be all hard planes and tight muscle but it’s encased in smooth, tan skin.
Warmth.
My mouth waters to know what his skin tastes like because he always smells so incredible.
Intoxicating.
My mind swirls, his distinct manly scent bringing all my senses to life. I silently thank the heavens I’m not standing up; otherwise, I would fall flat on my face. Instead, my instincts take over. I lean forward, dropping a kiss right above the waistband of his jeans. I’ve never been so bold.
Brazen.
But he brings something out in me. Something I can’t describe much less comprehend.
It only begs to feel.
His abs tighten in response and I revel in the effect I have on him so I do it again.
“Jesus, Selena,” he hisses, cradling the back of my head with his hands. “I can’t handle that mouth on me right now. Not when I want you this much.”
“I want you, too,” I whisper.
“It takes every ounce of control I have not to lay you down and find out just how deep I can bury myself inside of you. But I want your first time to be perfect.”
“As long as it’s with you, it will be.”
I gaze up at him, the power radiating off of his body is hot and thick, penetrating the air around us, but instead of being intimidated or afraid, I seek refuge in it.
Crave it.
This man. This powerful, beautiful man would never hurt me. I knew that the moment I met him. The moment that I looked into his soulful eyes. The moment he grabbed my hand and refused to let go.
The rustle of fabric fills the room as he rids me of my dress and my bra before laying me back down. His mouth finds my chest once more, the center of my breast, moving down.
Down.
Until he’s found my bare calf. He kisses the skin there but I feel it everywhere.
Between my legs.
At my very core.
Branding himself across my heart.
Burrowing his essence into my soul.
His lips move upward, toward the side of my knee. Each kiss singing the edges of my self-control. Every action is measured and fluid as if he’s done this very thing a million times before.
As if my body answers only to him.
Then his mouth hovers right above my panties, his warm breath tickling my skin. “You smell so good. I could spend hours worshiping this body,” he says, dragging his hand up the outside of my thigh to splay across my hip. Lowering his head, his tongue darts out, dragging it right along the seam, driving me to the edge of insanity.
Finally, he does what I long for him to do. Curling his fingers around my panties, he pulls them down then wads the scrap of fabric in his hands and brings it to his nose before winking at me and tucking them in his back pocket. My heart pounds wildly against my chest, the erotic act setting off fireworks in my blood.
Then he slowly spreads me wide, placing his hands on my inner thighs to hold me open as his mouth covers me, his tongue dipping low to collect the very last of my inhibitions. My hands find purchase in his hair, fingers digging into his scalp in an effort to anchor myself, but it is no use, he sends me catapulting across the dark sky in a display of brilliant, fiery light. The universe no longer exists.
Only us.
This perfect moment.
Dropping tiny kisses to my trembling thighs, he shifts to stand up and pulls his wallet from his back pocket, placing it on the bedside table. Then he unbuttons his jeans, pushing them off along with his underwear. His eyes stay locked on mine as he retrieves something from his wallet but I dare not look away to find out what it is. I don’t want anything to steal this moment.
The only light in the room is the faint bedside lamp but it’s enough to define every angle and ridge, putting his raw beauty on full display. He’s breathtaking, muscles cording and constricting as he strokes himself, holding my gaze. I’ve never felt more beautiful, more desired than I do right now.
Situating himself between my parted thighs, he rips the foil wrapper with his teeth, rolling on a condom.
I can tell by the strain on his face and the flex of his jaw, that he is struggling to maintain control. If he feels anything like I do, he is about ready to climb the walls. The release helped but the ache is still there, burning with voracious need.
Leaning down, he nestles himself between my open legs and I tense.
“You okay?”
I nod, biting my lip as tears spring to my eyes. I know he will take care of me but I’m still so nervous. He kisses my face. Both of my cheeks, my chin, my nose before looking deep into my eyes.
“It’ll hurt at first, but I promise I’m going to make you feel good.”
He nestles his arms next to my head, lowering his mouth to mine, kissing me slowly.
Tenderly.
His reverent lips worshiping mine, he reaches between us to center himself. I spread my legs wider
, anxious and ready to welcome him inside of my body. The large head nudges my opening and I suck in a deep breath to prepare myself. Justin’s hands cradle my head in his palms, his mouth feathering mine as he pushes inside one painful inch at a time. It doesn’t hurt as much as I thought it would. It is bearable. I have felt far worse pain than this. My body fights to adjust to the size of him, stretching and filling me in ways I never knew possible.
“So fucking tight,” he whispers upon my lips as he pumps his hips slowly.
The pain slowly ebbs, transforming into something else. Something far more beautiful. The dull ache is still there but it is mixed with something pure and divine. Something that cannot be defined. My body relaxes as I lift my hips to meet his, synchronizing our movements.
Justin lifts himself, his hands braced on both sides of my head, looking down between us. I follow his gaze to our connection. His fierce eyes hold mine prisoner as he thrusts in and out slowly, his jaw hanging loose as his breaths come out short and hot. He penetrates deeper, lowering himself back down. Our searching tongues become more desperate.
Needy.
A gasp tumbles from my lips as he surges forward. Then I feel it, the unforgivable pressure building inside of me unleashes, and I lose myself in the release, crying out his name as my teeth clamp down on the skin of his shoulder.
Burying his face in my neck, he works to catch his breath and I do the same.
Without breaking our connection, he scoops me up from the bed. I like that about him. I don’t have to think or worry about what is going to happen next because he knows exactly what I need and when I need it.
Upon entering the bathroom, he pulls out of me and lowers me to the floor while he takes care of removing the condom and turning on the shower. He takes his time adjusting the hot and cold until he has it at just the right temperature and steam fills the room. Even doing such a simple task, his body is like a work of art, each muscle flexing in tandem with the effort to make sure the water is perfect. Once he has it set to his liking, he turns around and collects me in his arms again. Wrapping my legs around his waist, he steps inside, closing the curtain behind him. His arms are crisscrossed over my back, holding me to him as he steps under the spray, the hot water repelling off my neck.