Anguish

by Bella Jewel

  The girls are coming over for poker tonight to ‘take my mind off everything that’s going down,’ so I’m trying to figure out what I can serve them that’s not going to taste like I dug it from the earth, washed it and presented it on a plate. I’m flicking through cookbooks for beginners when a knock sounds at the door. I turn, wondering whom it could be. Most of them don’t knock.

  Mack is downstairs working out, so I figure I’ll answer it. I close the book and walk over, opening the door slowly. When I get an eyeful of the serious man candy standing there, my mouth drops open. Holy hotness. This man just about whacks you with sex—it’s just oozing off him, and he hasn’t even opened his mouth.

  He’s the meaning of tall, dark and handsome. He’s got thick, black hair that is messy, parts of it falling over his forehead. A chiseled jaw is coated in two days’ growth, giving him somewhat of a professional, yet dangerous look. His eyes, oh man, are nearly black, and his lips . . . full, gorgeous. He’s, I’d guess around six-foot tall, and built. I mean, yum. Even under the white button-up shirt he’s wearing, I can tell he’s all muscle.

  He’s dressed in a suit; well, half a suit. He’s got black slacks on that he’s pulled his shirt out of messily. The tie around his neck has been loosened, but it’s a dark red, and it’s as dangerous as him. He’s rolled his sleeves up to his elbows, and there’s not a jacket to be seen.

  I stand there, gaping at the male beauty in front of me because if I wasn’t lusting—okay, I’m not entirely lusting, he’s still on my hit list—after my boss, I’d go for this bad boy.

  “Ah, can I help you?” I squeak.

  Smooth, Jaylah.

  His lips quirk and he takes me in. “Lookin’ for Mack.”

  Oh man, his voice.

  “And you are . . .”

  Another lip quirk. “Marcus Tandem.”

  Marcus. What a name.

  “He’s just downstairs, I’ll—”

  “Marcus!”

  Mack’s voice fills the space behind me and I turn to see him walking towards us, a grin on his face, his body covered in sweat. Oh man, I’m about to be in a hot man sandwich and I want to stay there, oh yes I do.

  “Mack.” Marcus grins when I turn back.

  Mack brushes past me, and I shudder as his skin grazes mine. He reaches out, taking Marcus’s hand and shaking it. “What the fuck are you doin’ here?”

  “Travelling,” Marcus says, his smile wide. God, he’s beautiful. “Thought I’d check in, see how you’re goin’.”

  “Fuck, it’s awesome to see you. Come in.”

  I step back and let the two men walk in. As Mack passes me, his eyes meet mine, and my heart jumps. Marcus is hot—I mean, super, fucking hot—but Mack is the man for me. Oh boy, I’m screwed. I close the door when they’re both through, just as Diesel stirs in his bouncer. I go over, lifting him into my arms and hushing him.

  “Somethin’ I missed?” Marcus asks.

  Mack’s eyes flicker to Diesel, to me, then back to Marcus. “Long story for another day. What brings you to town?”

  “Business, as always.”

  Mack walks to the fridge, swinging it open. He pulls out two beers, handing Marcus one. I go about my business, getting Diesel a bottle, but I can’t help but overhear their conversation as I do.

  “So, I got married,” Marcus says.

  Mack’s head whips around, and he gives his friend a horrified look. “You’re shittin’ me?”

  They stare at each other, and I can’t help but look between them.

  “Nah.”

  “You, the king of fuckin’ players, got hitched?”

  “Long story for another day,” Marcus says, his voice dropping low.

  They stare at each other, and I feel there’s something much bigger to that story. Oh yes, much, much bigger.

  “She a good woman?” Mack asks.

  “Again, long story.”

  Hmmmm.

  “What else has been happenin’?” Mack goes on, changing the subject.

  I turn away, busying myself again.

  “Didn’t catch your girlfriend’s name,” Marcus says and I spin around.

  “I am not his girlfriend,” I cry.

  Marcus looks confused. “Then what are you?”

  “His nanny.”

  He snorts. “Okay, precious, must have read it wrong, but I was sure I felt the sexual tension dripping off the two of you.”

  My mouth drops open, but I quickly close it.

  “I’m a lesbian!” I blurt. “I don’t like men. Especially broody ones.”

  Mack stares at me, Marcus laughs, and I go red.

  That was tactful. Truly.

  “Honey,” Mack murmurs, “you ain’t a lesbian.”

  “I might be,” I point out. “You wouldn’t know.”

  “Lesbians announce to an entire club of bikers that they want to ride their boss?”

  I gape, stutter, and then close my mouth.

  Marcus laughs louder.

  I turn, red faced, and carry Diesel from the room.

  This should be interesting.

  ~*~*~*~

  “Oh my God,” Ash breathes. “Who is that?”

  I sip my wine and glance over at Marcus, who is talking to Maddox and Krypt.

  “That’s Marcus, a friend of Mack’s.”

  “Oh . . . holy mother. He’s so hot.”

  “He’s also married,” I point out.

  Ash grins. “No one said I can’t look.”

  I giggle and Santana joins us. “Oh man, that dude is fine!”

  “Can’t deny that,” I add, all of us staring at Marcus.

  “What’s his deal?” Santana asks. “He looks bad ass!”

  “I don’t know,” I say, my voice low. “But Mack said he’s a total player, yet he announced he’s married, and it totally sounded like a set-up or something. It wasn’t, ‘Hey, I got married, she’s amazing’ it was more like, ‘Hey, I got married, and it’s a long, business-type story’.”

  Pippa joins us and her eyes turn to Marcus, too.

  “Is he, like, a big businessman?” Ash asks.

  “I think so,” I respond. “He looks really edgy, but totally in control.”

  “What do you think he does?” Pippa whispers.

  “Maybe he’s a hitman.” Santana giggles.

  The men turn and see us all staring at Marcus. With flaming cheeks and soft laughs, we all turn away. Maddox breaks away and comes over, wrapping his arms around Santana’s middle and leaning in. We can all hear what he murmurs in her ear. “Those eyes are mine, baby. Get them off Marcus.”

  She gives me a sly grin before responding with, “I was only looking. No one floats my boat like you, Maddox.”

  He snorts, she laughs, and we all burst into a fit of giggles.

  “Let’s start this game!” I announce.

  “We’re goin’ to be in the basement,” Maddox says, kissing Santana’s neck, patting her belly, and then letting her go. “Call out if you need.”

  The group of guys all go into the basement, and us girls sit around the table.

  “Let’s do this!”

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  “We should play, like, truth-or-dare strip poker!” I squeal after five glasses of wine.

  “Oh my God.” Santana giggles, sipping her orange juice. “That would be funny.”

  “I . . . no way,” Pippa breathes.

  Santana pats her hand, “You can watch. Supervise, if you will.”

  Ash claps her hands. “Let’s do it.”

  “Okay, here are the rules,” I say, my voice slightly slurred. “Truth or dare; if we can’t do it, we have to take off an item of clothing. If we can do it, we pick who has to take off some clothes.”

  “So it’s like strip truth-or-dare.” Ash giggles.

  “You got it, girlfriend.” I laugh. “Let’s go.”

  “Just let me check on Diesel,” Santana says.

  She rushes off, and we all begin writing down questions we want to a
sk. When she returns, we begin.

  “Ash, you first,” I say.

  “Hit me.”

  “Truth or dare?”

  “Dare!”

  I grin. “I dare you to run downstairs, kiss all of those men on the cheeks, and then run back up.”

  With a burst of uncontrollable giggles, she rushes towards the basement. We all follow. She skids down the stairs, lunging at Krypt whose eyes widen at the sudden intrusion. She kisses him smack on the lips and then leaps onto Maddox’s lap. His eyes widen, too and even more when her lips find his cheek. Then she leaps on Mack, who looks as if he’s about to toss her off, and does the same, then Tyke, then Marcus.

  “What the fu—” Krypt grunts, but she’s already running back up the stairs, and we’re all giggling.

  “Santana.” Ash laughs. “You have to take off clothes because I did it.”

  Santana stands, letting her jacket fall to the ground.

  “Who’s next?” she asks.

  “You stripped, so it’s your turn,” I say. “So, truth or dare?”

  “Truth,” Santana says.

  I drum my fingers on my chin, but Ash beats me to it. “Have you ever had anal sex?”

  We all burst out laughing, like teenage girls, and Santana’s face goes bright red.

  “If you don’t answer, more clothes gotta go.” I grin.

  “No.” She giggles. “But we’ve, ah, tried.”

  Ash squeals loudly, and claps her hands. “Oh my God!”

  Pippa’s face is red, but she’s laughing.

  “You bad, bad girl.” I laugh.

  “I nominate you to strip,” Santana says, poking her tongue out.

  I’m wearing a dress, which means I’m going to end up in my bra and G-string. Sweet. I lift the dress and throw it onto the floor, and all the girls whistle.

  “Damn, Jay, you fine.” Ash winks.

  “I’m busty,” I point out, sipping my wine. “That ain’t fine.”

  “Oh, lady.” Santana grins. “It’s fine. Shall we call the men up and ask . . .”

  “No!” I cry, giving her an evil glare.

  She just laughs.

  “Your turn,” Pippa says.

  “Okay, dare.”

  Shit, I should have said truth.

  Ash jumps in quick. “I dare you to go down and kiss Mack, right on the lips.”

  My mouth drops open, “No way.”

  “Then you gotta undress, which is going to leave you half naked,” Santana points out.

  “I can’t . . .”

  “Strip then, lady.”

  Fuck.

  I take another large drink of wine, emptying the glass. Then I turn, and the girls squeal with delight as I walk towards the stairs. My head is spinning and I’m feeling brave, thank God. I swing the door open and rush down. All the guys turn to me and their eyes widen. I don’t look, I just charge towards Mack who is watching me with a confused look.

  I throw myself onto his lap, therefore presenting my ass cheeks to the rest of the guys, and I crush my lips down against his. This could go so bad, for one, he might throw me off his lap and make a fool of me. That wouldn’t be cool. His body is tense for so long I’m sure it’s about to happen. The girls are squealing and clapping at the top of the stairs, and I hear Marcus mutter, “Fuck, that’s a sweet ass.”

  “Agreed,” Tyke says.

  He’s not going to kiss me back. Shit, I’ve just a made a complete fool of myself and . . .

  He kisses me back.

  I didn’t think it could happen, hell, I didn’t think it would happen, but it’s happening. His mouth is moving against mine, his tongue is sliding between my lips and oh, God, his hand is on my ass. I mewl like a kitten, rubbing myself against him. The girls begin to whoop, and the guys start muttering profanities. God, Mack, he tastes like heaven and hell, all blended together in a destructive concoction.

  He’s divine.

  I pull back after a moment because if I don’t, I’m going to let him rip my G-string off and fuck me right there on the couch. I wouldn’t care, either. No, I’d probably let him do it. I slide off his lap, stare at his molten eyes, and then I turn and run up the stairs. When I reach the top, Santana grabs me and shakes me. “Oh my God, I think I wet my pants.”

  “I did wet mine. Damn,” Ash breathes.

  “I want to be kissed like that,” Pippa adds.

  We all laugh again, and my head is swimming, my body deliriously happy. That was the best kiss of my entire life. We all head back into the living area, and I try to take Mack’s lips from my mind, but fuck, is it hard. He kissed like a damned pro. The best kiss I’ve ever had. I want more, oh yes, much more.

  “Who is stripping?” Pippa asks.

  I turn to Ash. “Get ‘em off, baby!”

  She grins, and drops her tiny shorts, revealing a G-string also. We all whistle and laugh, just as the guys come up the stairs. They all stop, stare and their eyes—yes, all of them—turn to looks of pure, raw sex.

  “What are you girls doin’?” Maddox says, his voice husky.

  “Playing strip truth-or-dare,” Santana offers.

  “We’re watchin’,” Krypt says, dropping to the couch and staring at Ash’s ass. “Actually, changed my mind. I’m takin’ you and fuckin’ you hard on the back of my bike.”

  I burst out into a fit of giggles, and Ash slaps Krypt’s hand when it reaches up to her bare ass. “Oh no you don’t. We’re not done.”

  “We’re watchin’ then,” he says, his eyes lusty.

  Damn.

  I avoid staring at Mack as all the guys sit down. This shit just got . . . real.

  “You can’t watch,” Santana protests. “You have to play.”

  “Fuck no,” Mack grunts.

  I turn to him finally, and his eyes are on me. Shit. Oh, God. My cheeks go pink and I quickly turn away.

  “Then you can’t watch,” Santana says, throwing her hands on her hips.

  “Chante,” he murmurs. “I’m fuckin’ watchin.”

  Oh, man.

  “Fine,” Ash says, and we all move away from the living area. Tyke flicks on the ball game again, but we all know they won’t be watching it.

  “Ash, you’re up again,” Santana grins.

  “I’m picking truth this time,” she says.

  “Oh, let me!” Pippa says and we all grin at her, happy to see her coming out of her shell.

  “Have you had . . .” her cheeks go pink, and her eyes flick to Tyke, who is watching her. Oh boy. Sexual tension alert. “. . . sex on a bike?”

  Ash’s face flushes and she looks to Krypt, who is grinning at her. “Answer the question, baby.”

  “Yes, I have,” she squeaks.

  We all clap and laugh, asking her details and getting some rather saucy ones that have Tyke muttering, “Fuck me.”

  “Santana, get that top off woman,” Ash says, pointing to Santana.

  Santana flicks her top off, leaving her in a bra. Her belly is slightly rounded, and we all say, “awww” at exactly the same moment.

  “God, you guys are terrible.”

  I grin. “Your turn. Truth or dare.”

  “Dare.”

  “I dare you to go to the neighbor’s house, knock on the door in only that and ask for some sugar.”

  “No way,” Santana cries, laughing.

  “Then drop some more clothes.”

  Her pants go next and Maddox’s eyes grow lusty. “Fuck.”

  “Keep it in your pants, Hulk.” I grin at him.

  He bares his teeth to me in that way he does, and I laugh softly.

  “You’re up,” Ash says to me.

  “Truth.”

  I’m going for the safe option.

  Santana rubs her hands together. “Where’s the strangest place a man has gone down on you?”

  My cheeks turn red. “Gone down?”

  “You know, gave you a tongue lashing?”

  Oh, dear. Oh, man.

  “Ah,” I squeak.

  I
glance at the guys who are all watching me again. Shit. I can’t afford to lose another item of clothing. That’ll expose things I don’t want to expose, which means I have to tell them the humiliating truth.

  “Well?” Ash asks.

  “I’ve never . . .”

  Santana’s eyes bug out. “You’ve never had a tongue lashing?”

  Now I’ve got the room’s attention.

  “No,” I cry, emptying my wine glass again. “It’s . . . icky.”

  They all stare at me.

  “You’re shittin’ me,” Maddox grunts.

  “I just can’t imagine that it would feel good. I mean, ew.”

  “Oh my God,” Santana breathes. “You poor girl.”

  “I’ll do it,” Marcus says, putting up his hand and giving me a wicked grin.

  “No,” I squeak.

  “Woman,” Mack mutters. “Fuck.”

  “It’s not that strange,” I protest.

  “Honey, it’s strange. It’s the best thing, like, ever,” Ash says.

  Santana nods.

  “You pee out of that thing. It’s so gross!”

  Everyone erupts into laughter, and my cheeks go pinker.

  “Mack.” Krypt chuckles. “Take that girl to your room, rip her fuckin’ panties off and put your tongue in her. Show her what she’s missin’ out on.”

  Oh. My. God. He did not just say that.

  “Krypt!” I cry.

  “I’m sure he’d be good at it, too.” Santana giggles. “Wouldn’t you, Chief?”

  Mack flashes her a grin, and I want to curl up and die.

  “Okay,” I murmur. “The game is done.”

  “Aw, party pooper,” Ash cries, throwing her hands over her chest.

  “I agree with her,” Maddox says, standing and walking to Santana. He leans down, throws her over his shoulder and carries her away. “I’m takin’ my woman, now.”

  “Maddox!” she squeals, but her cheeks are red and she looks damned happy.

  “Wanna do the same?” Krypt asks Ash.

  “Oh, hell yes.”

  “The house just turned into a sex-fest,” I murmur, leaning down and pulling my dress back on.

  “I think I need another drink,” Pippa says.

  “Me too, girlfriend. Me too.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  I’m drunk.

  Holy shit, am I drunk.

  It’s late—I don’t even know what time. Santana has gone and thrown herself into the spare bed in Diesel’s room, sleeping with him to make sure he’s got someone when he wakes. She really loves doing it, and declared that I have to take a night off a week so she can. I’m totally okay with that. I need one night off, though I already know I’ll miss the little man.