by Langston, K.
~John F. Kennedy
Walking away had not been easy. My desperate body wanted to go home with him, but my mind and heart needed a break. I said goodbye to Alex and Cami and drove home, recounting every detail of the last few days.
Paris.
Archer.
My mind was a tangled mess by the time I got home and by the time I climbed into bed, my heart was a pounding vessel of hope and confusion. I stared up into the darkness, searching for answers. When those answers didn’t come, I prayed for them.
Sleep eventually found me, but it was still dark outside when Heavy Cross by Gossip woke me up. The music stopped before I could reach for my cell. I propped one elbow, pulling the phone closer to my face with a squint.
3a.m.
Unlocking the phone, I called him back. “The fuck?”
“What?” I licked my parched lips, swiping the hair from my face.
“I’ve been callin’ nonstop for twenty minutes.” The panic in his voice sent heat spreading across my chest.
“Sorry, I was asleep.” My voice was still working out its sleepy kinks.
“Where are you?” I yawned, resting my head to the pillow.
Archer released a heavy sigh. His frustration was tangible, even on the phone. “Leavin’ work. On my way to you,”
“No,”
“Why the fuck not?”
“Because I can’t think when you’re near me.”
Archer grunted. “What’s there to think about?”
“Us,”
I could hear him getting into his truck. “Us huh?”
“Yeah, and Paris.”
“Paris?”
“My brother got a job there, he wants me to go with him,” Silence hung heavy on the line.
I looked at my phone to confirm the minutes still ticking away. “Archer?”
“I’m here. Do you wanna move to Paris?”
Rolling over to face the window, I closed my eyes. “No. I just want you.” I held my breath, waiting.
Hoping.
Relief flooded the line “Good, because I don’t want you to go,”
My lungs filled with air. “You don’t?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Night, Katherine.”
“Night.”
I held the phone to my chest, thanking the good Lord above for hearing my prayer. I dreamed of Paris that night and the man I love was there with me.
Timber thumped through the sounds system as I set up for Cora’s mixed drink order. “What can I get ya?”
The older gentleman cupped his mouth. “Two Buds, please.”
With a nod, I quickly finished the drinks in front of me and then loaded Cora’s tray. “Thanks, Katy,”
Pulling two buds from the cooler, I popped the tops, sliding them across the bar in exchange for a $10. I shimmied over to the cash register behind me.
I looked up beneath my lashes at the mirror behind the bar, wondering whether he was standing there right this moment…watching me. I hadn’t seen or talked to Archer since our phone call last night. When I came in for my shift this afternoon, he hadn’t come in yet and we’d been unusually busy ever since.
I watched him approach from the corner of my eye as I handed the customer his change. With a nod to the patron, he leaned down close to my ear. “I swear to Christ- if you don’t stop shakin’ your ass, I’m gonna fuck you right here in front of God and everybody.” Warmth pulsed feverishly between my thighs. Swallowing hard, I tried to speak but couldn’t seem to grasp a single word. “Your ass is mine later,” he promised, sauntering past me to the other end of the bar to talk to Jesse. All I could think about was his peppermint scent and his hands on my body. I smiled. And that my ass belonged to him.
Over the next couple of hours, it was all I could think about. I couldn’t wait to be alone with him again. That didn’t happen until around midnight. I was standing behind the bar putting away some clean glasses when he came around to join me. He removed the towel and glass from my hand, setting them down. Every move he made held more determination, more meaning. Tugging my hand, he pulled me into his solid chest. His impatient lips collided against mine, stealing my sense and my breath. I was searching for the words to ask him. I wanted him in my bed or me in his. I wanted to wake up with him in the morning, cook him breakfast, and spend the day with him. I wanted all of him. I was tired of dancing around the way I felt. I wanted to shout it from the fucking rooftops.
“You’re comin’ home with me tonight.” Archer’s arm squeezed me tighter while his other hand fisted the nape of my neck. “And this time, I won’t take no for an answer.” With a smile I could not hide nor contain, I kissed his lips.
“Yes sir,” Archer smacked then squeezed my ass. “Grab your stuff,”
With a hand on the small of my back, he led me to the passenger side of his Hummer, opening the door.
Damn.
Who would have thought he was capable of being a gentleman?
“Why the hell do you keep looking at me like that?” he asked in that gruff, clipped voice he possessed so well.
“Just curious who taught you to be such a gentleman is all.”
He chuckled, his green eyes sparkling with reverence. “My grandfather,” Archer helped me into the Hummer then leaned in, pinning me with a red-hot kiss. His seeking tongue tasted like peppermint and his full lips were hungry…greedy.
Wow.
“Buckle up.” he ordered before slamming the door.
Excitement and adrenaline sparked and popped in my veins like a live wire as the smell of his distinct cologne filled my lungs, intoxicating me. Archer not only dominated the space around him, but the very air as well. Every hair on my body stood at attention, my thighs clenching at the thought of having him on top of me, inside of me.
Owning me.
With a devious smile tugging his full lips, he shifted in his seat, resting an elbow on the console. Peppermint and pure uncut male flooded my nose and I could hardly think, forget about breathing.
I did my best to come up with an intelligent question but only one came to mind. “Why do you like peppermints so much?” He was always popping one in or pushing one around his mouth.
Wetting his lips, he considered my question while his right hand rubbed the sexy stubble shading his jaw. “When I was younger, I had a hard time in school. I could never sit still and focus. My third grade teacher took notice and pulled me aside. Mrs. Burress gave me a peppermint and stuffed five more in my hand. She said…anytime you need to focus, suck on a peppermint. Strangely, it worked. I’ve been suckin’ on ‘em ever since.” He shrugged one shoulder, still stroking his jaw. “It was my favorite flavor in the whole wide world,” His roguish grin peeked through his arched fingers.
I clenched my fingers, aching to touch him. “Was?”
“Yeah, now my favorite flavor is this,” His strong hand dipped to rub the denim between my legs.
Oh God!
“And this.” One finger tapped the corner of my mouth.
A heated breath shook my body and I found myself crossing my legs to alleviate the burn. But it only burned hotter, lighting the fuse of sexual tension between us. Not another word was spoken until we made it to his house.
My hand in his, he pulled me through the garage door. We’d barely made it into the kitchen before he turned to face me. The growl that roared from his mouth was my only warning before he fell to his knees.
Archer unbuttoned my jeans. “Lose the shirt…and the bra,” He looked up, his eager hands yanking my skinny jeans and panties down my shaky legs. “Now,”
What the hell was he going to do? Fuck me right here on the kitchen floor?
Setting my purse on the counter, I removed my jacket and tank top, stepping out of my jeans. Before I could unhook my bra, Archer tugged on my wrist, pulling me down to my knees. “You’re too fuckin’ slow, baby.” With one hand he reached behind me, unhooking the garment with the flick of his deft fingers. Goosebumps raced and my heart pounded,
leaving nothing behind but intense burning need. His anxious fingers clutched the dividing fabric, sliding it down my arms.
There was no time to think. No way to anticipate his next move.
My back met the cold hard floor as Archer lowered me down, positioning himself between my open legs. The back of my thighs rested on the tops of his and the hot length of his cock rubbed against the mound of my pussy. He kissed me, invading every last inch of my mouth. His kiss was lethal, powerful and destructive. His taste was intoxicating, addictive and sweet. It was a deadly combination that had the potential to destroy me. But I didn’t care. I was so far gone for this man I was willing to compromise everything I believed in to have him in any way I could. To have him look at me like he just did, and kiss me like he was doing now. That was all I lived for anymore. That was all I wanted.
All of him.
He pulled away from my mouth and our eyes locked under the heady spell. Strong fingers found the tops of my knees, spreading me so far and wide my hips screamed in protest. “I’ve been thinkin’ ‘bout this all fuckin’ day.” I couldn’t muster a response. My mouth was clearly disabled by my tortuous breaths.
“I see you missed me too,” He whispered against my inner thigh, planting a warm kiss on each one just before he buried his grinning face between legs.
Oh God!
Beauty awakens the soul to act.
~Dante Alighieri
Frantic need pulsed through every vessel in my body. My cock relentlessly throbbed and twitched, strongly pleading to be inside of her while eager fingers fisted my hair, pulling me closer. My name was a constant plea floating across her lips as she twisted and turned against the floor, falling apart beneath my tongue.
Licking her from my lips, I scooped her up, wrapping her legs around my waist. I walked over and pulled out one of the chairs from the table, sitting her down on my lap. With my cock wedged between us, I kissed and fucked her delicious mouth, debating.
“You on birth control?”
“Yes,” she breathed, reaching between us to wrap her fingers around me.
Jesus fuck, was I actually considering this?
“Trust me?”
Her wide eyes never left mine. “Absolutely,”
“Can I trust you?”
Nodding, she cupped my face. “Yes, with everything,”
There was so much meaning behind those three reassuring words, but I didn’t have time to think about it.
“Good, I’m goin’ in. Unarmed,”
Her parted mouth and heavy eyes were all I could see, but I could feel every fucking thing. And then it happened. Something inside of me clicked. The door unlocked and I was able to do what I never thought possible. I gave her the reigns.
“Fuck me, sweetheart. Fuck me hard. Ride that motherfucker off the goddamn cliff.” Her shallow breathing became hard heavy pants against my lips as she braced her feet on the rungs at the base of the chair. I fisted a handful of thick hair at the nape of her neck as she began to ride. That sweet pussy clamped down around my cock and I couldn’t stop the moan from creeping up my throat. She was tighter than ever, softer than ever.
More fucking beautiful than ever.
She found a steady rhythm, increasing her speed with every bounce of her perfect little ass. The slap of her thighs against mine, her slick pussy leaving more of her sweet juices behind with every glide, had my insides on fire.
“Archer,” A wicked moan filled the room. Pleasure like I’ve never known erupted, leaving tiny beads of sweat dotting my skin. My chest burned with emotion and my cock pulsed with need.
Yes, this woman would be the death of me.
After I caught my breath, I carried her through the kitchen, climbing the stairs to my bedroom. Stepping into the bathroom, I set her down and turned on the shower, adjusting the heat. When I turned back around she was standing there, already bathing in her sated glory, a satisfied smile tugging at her red lips. My dick jolted back to life and that same enduring warmth flooded my chest again. Who the fuck would’ve thought that coming inside a woman could be so goddamn significant? Who the hell am I kidding? This woman was clearly significant.
Refusing to think beyond here and now, I guided her into the walk in shower. Steam curled around us as we stood beneath the hot spray, gazing at one another. Our eyes saying far more than words ever could. I ran my finger down the beautiful garden of pink lilies and red tulips that sleeved her arm.
Smiling, her eyes darted to my grazing finger. “The lilies signify my faith and the tulips symbolize…” Dark chocolate eyes locked with mine and I swear to Christ, they fucking bled red. “Love,”
She’d done it, resurrected my lifeless heart right there in my own damn shower. My knees wobbled slightly before I locked them back in place. Shit, was this really happening? Do I let it happen or keep fighting?
Motherfucker!
I opened my mouth once, twice, but my mind could not fathom what my heart already knew.
Mine.
The word echoed repeatedly over and over, urging me to take her, keep her.
Love her.
While I stood there trying to rein in my emotions and figure out what the fuck I was going to do next, my beautiful girl took control. Desire weighted her promising eyes as she lathered the washcloth in her hand and then fell to her knees. She ran the cloth up and down both sides of my legs and inner thighs. My cock was already hard. Fuck, just looking at her got me hard, but right now, I was so fucking hard up for her I could hardly draw breath. Her hands were everywhere except where I was aching for them to be.
I cupped her hair matted cheek. “Touch me. Please fuckin’ touch me.” I was close to the edge already. Was it possible to come from need alone? Fuck, I didn’t want to find out. I needed her.
Right fucking now.
The cloth hit the floor with a loud slap then she reached back, rinsing her hands beneath the chilling spray. Cold hands found the base of my fire breathing cock and I nearly came on her gorgeous face. She wrapped her hot lips around me and my head fell back with a hiss. I tried not to think about her hand working me up and down as she slid me in and out of her heated mouth, but I lost all focus when her hand cupped my balls, massaging and scraping lightly with her nails. Looking down, I watched her pull back, lick her swollen lips and dip her head.
“FuuuuuuucK!!!”
I’d clearly underestimated the power of a woman on her knees, with my nuts in her mouth.
Oh sweet fucking hell…
That mouth had already worked a number on me, using it in every way possible to unlock the cage around my guarded heart. Now she’d gone even further, and found a way into my goddamn soul.
Her fingers tightened, moving the skin back and forth as I throbbed inside the palm of her hand. Wrapping her silky lips around the head of my cock once more, she moaned with pleasure. She began to move.
Wet and wild.
Up and down.
Back and forth.
My thumbs skated across her cheeks, and I watched in complete wonder as chill bumps rippled across her cool skin. “Fuck, baby you look so good with me in your mouth,” Holding her head in place, I began to move my hips. “Hands on my legs,”
Steadying her hands at the tops of my thighs, she gripped them firmly. I could feel the tiniest bite of her black nails scrape across my sensitive skin, pulling me closer. Sliding in and out of her hot ass mouth, I found an acceptable rhythm. Her lips relaxed around me as she surrendered to my thrusts. I slid to the back of her throat with a strained push. I didn’t want to hurt her…I just wanted to climb inside of her. The more I fucked her mouth, the more she let me. I buried myself on the final thrust, her throat swallowing continuously around the head of my cock as I came. One word thundered against the tiled walls.
MINE.
When we finally climbed into bed, dawn had begun to peek over the forest of trees outside my bedroom window, casting soft morning light across her face. Propping my head up on my hand, I could barely hold my eyes open
but I couldn’t seem to stop looking at her. Couldn’t stop wondering how she got here. I rubbed at the ache in my chest. The only woman I ever loved ripped apart my heart and shattered what I thought was a perfect life. After what she’d done to me, I was certain I could never come back from that. I hated myself for ever falling for her, and that made me hate her even more.
Lying on my back, I closed my eyes. Katherine was nothing like her. Even though there was devil behind those angel eyes, she could never be evil or conniving. She would never marry someone for money, then spread vicious rumors as a means to destroy the man she claimed to love.
I felt her shift next to me, scooting closer to drape her arm and leg across my body. She nuzzled her soft cheek against my bare chest.
Was she worth it?
I still wasn’t convinced, but my head and heart quieted their internal battle when I pulled her tighter against me. The warmth of her body enveloped mine and I found enough peace to fall asleep.
Stretching my arms over my head I yawned, settling on a contented sigh. I blinked up at the ceiling with a smile. Her sweet smell lingered, filling me with comfort and need and…
I scrambled to sit in the bed.
Katherine.
Kicking off the sheets, I yanked on a pair of briefs. I checked the bathroom, my heart pounding like a gorilla against my needy chest. The thought of her leaving, especially without telling me, made me mad as fuck. I swiped my cell before barreling downstairs. I was about to press call when the smell of bacon hit my nose and music replaced the panicked blood pounding in my ears.
Fuck, she was making me crazy.
The sour taste of fear faded and my heart began to compose itself. With a shaky breath, I tossed my phone onto the sofa as I made my way into my kitchen.
Now, if there were a moment in time I could bottle, save and tuck beneath my pillow, it would be Katherine dancing around my kitchen. She had one of my old t-shirts on. It fell mid-thigh and my God, she looked sexy as fuck. But what really did me in, were the red and white striped tube socks she had on that met the hem of the shirt.
“Oh shit, did the music wake you?” she asked with a smile that could melt anything cold around my heart or elsewhere.