Lexi Cocker (Cocker Brothers Book 25)

by Faleena Hopkins

  I blink, and stutter, “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Gage.”

  “Yeah you do. And I get it — you come from city royalty. Hell, maybe even country, or world, if we’re counting someone like your cousin…”

  As he searches for the name, too aggravated to remember, I finally offer, “Gabriel,” just so he can continue what he needs to say.

  “Yeah, Gabriel. I get it, Lexi, you have it in your head that—”

  “—You don’t know what I have in my head!”

  “I can see it in your eyes!”

  I poke his chest. “You just met me on Saturday!”

  He frowns, “Doesn’t matter,” and picks me up, his arms around my thighs, face smashed into my stomach until we reach the top. I’ve gotta hold his shoulders to stay balanced, and when he sets me down, that frown is still there. “Look, I’ve been thinking about you all week, and it’s been a rough one.” At my questioning expression, he hurries to explain, “Not rough because I was thinking about you. That actually got me through it. Don’t ask me why because I don’t have a fucking clue.” Cupping my chin, Gage leans in so that all I can see is him. “This is just sex.”

  Frowns are contagious. “That’s all I thought it was anyway.”

  Even as I say it, it stings.

  Why?

  It doesn’t look like it stings him. Relief flashes and his left hand clasps my jaw before Gage kisses me with commitment to a night of pleasure without chains.

  My mind is reeling and I’m not present at all. There is no Now. There is only what he just said to me in the past.

  I’ve been thinking about you all week.

  He misunderstood my reaction. I never thought his rough week was because I was on his mind. What was really hitting me was I’d been thinking about him, too, and to hear Gage had been doing the same had a strong impact. Much stronger than I want.

  “Wait!” I gasp, breaking free of the kiss. “Wait.”

  He searches my eyes, “What’s wrong?”

  “I don’t know…” I push him back to step away, dragging all ten fingers through my hair as I stare at my confusion. “I just feel weird.”

  Concern is in his, “Did you eat something bad?”

  I ironically chuckle, “No, it’s not that,” and spin around to see him.

  Gage is owning the hallway with his height and broad shoulders hunched a little still from when we were kissing. His hands are spread open to understand me better, solid fingers and wide palms under sinewy forearms probably built from endless hours at his job. He’s wearing black slacks again, but with a white t-shirt this time, no emblem, just smooth, clean cotton stretched over his muscles. It makes his shiny raven-black hair all the more striking over those damn crocodiles. Looking at him makes my heart tremble.

  And I don’t like it.

  But I love it.

  A whisper strains from my lips, “Come here.”

  Gage grimaces need and resistance. He lunges for me and I meet him halfway, kissing hard and hungry. We start to tear each other’s clothes off, I claw his back as he bends to unzip my boots. My socks stay on but the jeans disappear with a struggle. He unsnaps my bra as I go for his zipper, and his right hand digs in his pocket for his wallet.

  Soon we’re in only socks, right here in the hallway, protection making sure I don’t get pregnant as we fuck each other’s brains out up against the wall, on the long, rectangular area rug, and again against the wall with him behind me this time.

  His girth hits my g-spot in seemingly every position, but here with my eyes closed I lose control, crying out. Gage’s climax is instantly brought on by mine. The erratic, primal motions of his hips, make me so happy I start grinning, and finally burst into a fit of giggles.

  Pressing his chest into my back, Gage catches his breath, heat warming my neck. “You having fun?” he asks, with a chuckle.

  I giggle, “Yes!” and shiver as goosebumps sing across my skin.

  He makes sure everything important stays intact as he pulls out with a smiled, “Come with me to clean up.”

  “Mmm-kay.”

  Taking hold of his free hand, I soundlessly pad to the bathroom with him where Gage makes use of the trash bin, tugs off his socks and strolls naked to turn on the shower, smirking over his broad shoulder. “Bye bye straight hair.”

  As I catch him checking out my breasts while I’m bent over to pull my socks off, too, I wink and straighten up to stretch my arms as high as they can reach. “Now they’re flatter.”

  “I like them both ways.”

  “Smart.”

  He laughs, and guides me into the stream with him where I close my eyes and let my hair mat to my head. This is what products are for, so who fucking cares how long it takes to get it where I like it? I’ll never again let something so silly stand in the way of having this much fun.

  Just like the other night, we wash ourselves and each other, kissing while taking turns and going with the flow, following every good feeling.

  Gage’s fingers slip between my legs to play with me and make my lips part, panting as steam holds us in its warm, ever-changing embrace. He takes me to and over the edge, tickling and teasing my pussy into fiery submission as I hold onto his slippery shoulders, knees no longer strong.

  Tender kisses rain down my neck, my collar bone, my breasts, until Gage kneels down to kiss my belly button, and even further, the soft auburn hair that covers my sex.

  Watching him, I’m stroking his head, and that feeling takes over again where I’m here.

  Really here.

  Just here.

  In The Now.

  He stays under the cascade of hot water, tenderly kissing and touching me.

  Finally standing up, Gage meets my eyes and reaches around my drenched body to turn off the faucet. “You’re staying the night, right?”

  A smile spreads. “Yes.”

  “Good.”

  He reaches for the towel rack. A whoosh of cotton, and I’m wrapped in a blue bath sheet, much bigger than a normal towel. “I’ve gotta get another one.”

  “Wait.” I open mine, step close, and press our bodies together, “Stay,” wrapping it around us as I lay my cheek on his chest, just listening to him breathe. “Just stay here.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  LEXI

  G age awakens before me, getting dressed again, but this time when he rouses me from my dreams I know where I am. On Sunday I saw his room come into focus through the haze of an emotional hangover. This morning the black leather winged headboard, charcoal grey walls, and thriving cactus in a four-inch black pot on the nightstand closest to his door, don’t make my head spin.

  Rolling onto my back to look up at Gage standing over me, I smile, “Morning.”

  “You said you had to work at seven.”

  Dragging my hand down the cotton blue jeans of his inner thigh, I murmur, “Do I have to?”

  A low chuckle is my answer as he grabs my hand and pulls it to rub his crotch, releasing me a disappointing moment later.

  “Afraid so, Cherry.”

  I roll over, shoving my face in his light gray pillowcase. “No!!!”

  He lays on me — I win! — and buries that talented mouth in my neck, gnawing on both sides before brushing his lips along the baby hairs where my spine begins. That’s nice and all, but Gage’s powerful erection is against my ass, coaxing me to get wet fast…or else. And I’m totally into whatever it’s got planned.

  I arch to seduce him, moaning as he grinds in response.

  His body shifts, weight smooshing me into the mattress as he reaches into an industrial metal nightstand, pulling out the necessary condom, teeth tearing it open.

  I turn my head, cheek smashed on the pillow as I smile. Gage dips down to kiss it away, his tongue searching for mine and finding it willing. With the beast behind me, jeans around his thighs, cock quickly protected and rubbing up and down my pussy, I let out the happiest moan.

  “You’re really wet.”

  �
�Uh huh.”

  “I’m going to get you off in under a minute.”

  I smile, “Time is of the essence.”

  Gage’s enormous shaft slowly slips into my cave, stretching my throbbing walls tighter inch by inch.

  He grunts, slowly fucking me and biting my neck, teeth rough.

  A hot twist lights a match inside us, and Gage moves with it. We’re totally connected, our hips knowing when to rise and fall. There’s a sweet fire licking my pussy now, teasing me with each grind.

  Gage’s breath warms my ear.

  I’m panting.

  He is, too.

  The fiery licks sting a little I’m so close to cumming on his huge cock. Sensing it, Gage lets out this primal growl before seeking out my mouth, shutting up my moans with a kiss that welds us together.

  A contraction tenses my body, legs suddenly like a statue’s as my gasp gets muffled by his lips. He slides in and out of my sopping wet pussy, panting a hungry, “That’s right, give it to me,” stripping me of my mind.

  A thick heartbeat pulses down below. There is only the heavy weight of this clothed man on my naked body, the pleasure of his cock’s immense size. He roars as we cum, primitive patterns of movement throwing me into a spiral of needs met.

  Gage’s face is buried in my neck as he catches his breath, “Fuck, Cherry, wow.”

  I grin, seek out his left hand and lace our fingers. “I’ve gotta go, huh?”

  “You want me to drive you home or to work?”

  “I don’t think I have time for home.”

  He murmurs, “Work then,” kissing my neck before getting up and carefully pulling off the condom. “Where am I taking you?”

  With a long, grinning, lazy stretch, I give him the address for the studio I’m opening today so that Paige can sleep in.

  Throwing my legs over the side of his king size, I catch sight of a clock and see it’s only five-after-six. “Oh nice! You gave us plenty of time!”

  “Wasn’t sure if you needed to go home first.”

  “No, that’s cool. I threw my jeans and T on right before I met up with you. When Wyatt texted I was in my pjs.”

  Gage reminds me with a smirk, “And we showered.”

  I plant a quick kiss on his gorgeous face, “See? Perfect!” while strolling to the bathroom. “Only one teacher has the keys and she’s off ’til Saturday, so the responsibility lies on my shoulders.”

  He follows me. “You say that with pride.”

  Glancing back with a shrugged, “Of course,” I catch him checking out my ass, spin around, walk backward, and point to my auburn trim. “How about this? Like this, too?” Gage laughs, and I press two fingers into his work-shirt, “I need a private moment,” disappearing into the bathroom before swinging the door open and pointing to his trash bin. “You want to throw that out first?”

  He strolls by me, disposes of the protection, and washes his hands, smirking through the mirror’s reflection to where I’m leaning on the doorframe. “Nice manners.”

  “I look out for you.”

  “And you look good doing it.”

  “That’s right.”

  Snatching a hand towel to dry off with, he mutters, “You’re too much.”

  “I’m just enough.”

  Gage tosses the towel, pulls me close, crocodiles smiling. “You’re more than enough.” Dipping down for the cupboard under his sink, he pulls out a new, unopened toothbrush and lays it on the counter for me. “I’ll be downstairs.”

  I watch him leave, work-shirt pulling across his broad shoulders as he shuts the door.

  With a frown I turn to wash up, and catch my reflection for the first time.

  I gasp at my crazy hair, “Holy fuck!” heading for the shower to tame this mane of chaos. “And there he was looking at me like I was beautiful. Is he nuts?!”

  No more than ten minutes later I’m downstairs, dressed, wet hair twisted in a tight ballerina’s bun, white t-shirt dotted from droplets that will dry by the time I get to Om This.

  From the kitchen, Gage tosses a green apple to me.

  I miss, roll my eyes, and chase it across his living room floor. “Ew.”

  He catches my returned toss, and throws me a new one. “Think fast.”

  “Got it!” I dance around as he shuts the refrigerator, adding a triumphant, “A ha!!!”

  Shaking his head, Gage says, “Bout time.”

  So I throw it at his head.

  It zips by, uncaught.

  “Oh ho! What was that you were saying, Gage?”

  Chuckling, he snatches it up from the kitchen tile, dusts it off, taking a bite and saying with a crunchy mouthful, “I don’t mind a little dirt.”

  I tease, “Sooooo manly,” pinching his hip as he passes me for the front door. “Where’s my apple?”

  “I’m eating it.”

  “Don’t I get another one?”

  “Nope.”

  “Rude!”

  Gage grins and points to the kitchen. “Get it yourself.”

  I dash over, and stick my tongue out at him before swinging open his fridge. “Look at your beer selection!”

  Over the sound of jingling keys, he says, “They’re not all for me.”

  Swiping a shiny apple from his crisper, I take a bite like he did, asking through the crunch, “Who’re they for?”

  “Nice,” he smirks, swinging open the front door. “My buddies. And any guests.”

  This gives me pause.

  He means women.

  Dates.

  Or just…sex.

  Suddenly my appetite sucks.

  Arm falling to my side, new apple now an unwanted accessory, I hike my eyebrows and walk outside. “Well, isn’t that hospitable of you.”

  His “Thanks,” is oblivious! As we walk to his Bronco, Gage asks a casual, “Did your sister drive you to The Local last night?”

  Refusing to think of girls in his bed, I bluntly answer, “Yep.”

  “You knew you were coming home with me.”

  “Yep.”

  He chuckles, “Cocky.”

  “Runs in the family.”

  His crocodiles register how Cocker would easily become the nickname ‘cocky’ that my cousins and I are so known for, and our fathers before us.

  It’s nice to make him smile this much — he’s been laughing a lot. I bet those girls don’t crack him up like I can. Fuck them! I’m going to make him forget every single one.

  I climb in with style, inspiring Gage to cock an eyebrow and admit, “I love that you used to be a dancer.” With the top still down he can ask as he walks to his side, “Ballet? I’d love to see that.”

  Why just get into a car when you can glide into one?

  “Not ballet exclusively. My sister does ballet still, though, plus all the forms. She’s incredibly trained.”

  Gage jumps in, ignites the engine, backing out as my hand rests on his strong thigh. “Is she good?”

  “Good?!” I explode, “Is she good??!!”

  He grins. “That’s a yes.”

  “She’s amazing!! You’ll get to see her soon. They’ve got a new show at The Alliance that just had auditions. Since Galloway’s back, I’m sure Sammy’ll get a great role. Unless Mrs. G is feeling vindictive.”

  With no traffic on his sleepy residential street since it’s not even seven, he eases the Bronco onto the west-facing lane with zero obstacles. “Vindictive?”

  “Oh yeah! She can be terrible!” As we drive, I tell him the story of Samantha and Galloway — even the tragic part about Marion — including all the juicy details because his interest is sincere. Gage asks me questions to understand better, and it feels comfortable to talk with him — no stress. No awkward silences.

  Like an old friend.

  Or…something.

  This moment will haunt my thoughts later, but I don’t know that now. I’m happily explaining why my sister is the light of my life, “Sam should be the star of every production in Atlanta, if I had my way.”

&nbs
p; When we pull into the parking lot of the original Om This Gage’s voice is a little haunted. “It’s cool you girls are so close.”

  I cut a quick frown his way. “What’s up?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Something I said?”

  He parks in front of the darkened studio, staring at it. “Nah.”

  “No lying, remember?”

  A half-smile tugs at his mouth. “I promise I’m not.” Our eyes meet, his cloudy. “I enjoyed the story.”

  “Something you want to talk about?”

  “No.”

  I drop my gaze. “Oh, okay,” and reach for the door.

  “Hang on,” he jumps out and strolls around the front, but doesn’t look over to me like the other times, when we locked eyes through the windshield. I don’t like his frown, or his refusal to share why it arrived.

  What’s troubling him?

  He opens my door, and offers his hand, palm warm. “Hey Cherry?”

  As soon as my boots hit pavement I kiss him and murmur against his lips, “Yeah?”

  “Can I get your number?”

  I burst out laughing, and he grins, pulling out his phone and tapping away as I lean in to watch, and recite for him a slow, “I-800-Fuck-Yes.”

  Gage cracks up because he actually typed the ‘1’ and was confused by the ’800’ until the rest unfolded. “Seriously, what’s your fucking number?!”

  I laugh, and give it to him. He texts me so that I’ve got his.

  Not that I’ll use it unless it’s to return his call.

  We kiss goodbye, and I head to the studio.

  “Cherry?”

  Spinning around, I frown, “Yes?”

  “You have plans tonight?”

  Thinking of those girls drinking his beers, I smile, “I do now,” determined to keep them away from him.

  “I’ll give you a call and set it up.”

  “Sounds good, Crocodile,” I smile with a wink.

  He grins, and watches me disappear.

  Chapter Fifteen

  GAGE