On Broken Wings (The Witness Series Book 7)

by Heather D'Agostino

  Chapter 20

  Evan

  She guided me down the hall, one slow step at a time. We paused for a moment when she reached the door to what I assumed was her bedroom.

  “We don’t have to do this tonight.” I swallowed as I tried to convince myself that I believed what I was saying. I’d been waiting for this for months, but this wasn’t my plan when I came over here tonight.

  She turned to face me and placed her hands on my shoulders. “I want to.” She blinked a couple of times before rising up on her tip toes and pressing her lips to mine. I let her break this kiss and then waited patiently for her to open the door.

  “Sorry about the mess.” She blushed as she rushed over to the pile of clothes on her bed, and tossed them on the chair by her desk.

  “Jenni.” I reached out and gently grabbed her arm. “Stop.” She froze, and lifted her eyes to meet mine. “I don’t care about the mess. I care about you.”

  “I know you do.” She swallowed. I watched her brows furrow as a thousand expressions flitted across her face. Her eyes closed and she released a deep breath. “Do you want me, Evan?” She pressed her lips together.

  “I think you already know the answer to that.” I reached for her hand. She was tentative at first, but then allowed me to turn her arm so her wrist faced upward. I could see the fear mixed with the want in her eyes. I gently rubbed my thumb over the light scar before guiding her hand to where my erection was pressing against the front of my shorts. “Do you feel that?” She nodded. “Does that give you any reason to think that I don’t want you?” She shook her head as her eyes dilated. “I’ve wanted you for as long as I’ve known you, Jenni. I’ve been waiting for you to want me.”

  “I do,” she whispered. “I’ve just been afraid.”

  “Afraid of me?” I couldn’t help but want to wrap her in my arms that very minute.

  “No.” She stepped back. “Afraid of how you’ll make me feel. I don’t know how I’ll make it when you walk away.” Her lip quivered, but she lifted her chin and stared me straight in the eyes. “You make me feel things, Evan, things I didn’t think I could. I’ve been broken before, and you healed me. I won’t survive being broken by you.” I watched as she reached for the hem of her shirt. She slowly lifted it up and tossed it on the floor before stepping closer so her bra brushed against my chest.

  “I’m not going to break you, Jenni. I’m falling in love with you.” The words came tumbling out before I could stop them. I’d been feeling this way for a while, but I’d told myself that I would keep it to myself until my case closed. I didn’t want to have to lie to her and that’s exactly what I’d been doing for months. Jenni didn’t deserve it, but I had to protect her. If Vince or any of the guys found out about her, they’d use her to get to me.

  “Do you mean that?” Her voice wasn’t more than a faint whisper.

  “Yeah. Yeah, I do.” I leaned down and pressed my mouth to hers.

  ooooooooo

  Jenni

  He loved me. I’d never heard the words from anyone other than Darrin and my family, and know that they meant them. Evan’s arms wrapped around me and we started moving towards the bed. I felt the mattress hit the back of my knees and I jumped in surprise.

  “Are you sure?” Evan asked again. I reached for the bottom of his shirt and began pushing it up his chest. I wanted to see what the tattoo that he’d been hiding looked like.

  When he felt what I was trying to do, he reached behind his neck and yanked the shirt the rest of the way off. My room was dark with the exception of the street lights shining through the sheer curtains on my window. We looked like shadows against the white, almost as if we were floating on clouds.

  “It’s beautiful.” The words came out without me planning for him to hear them.

  “Yeah?” He chuckled lightly, causing his chest to vibrate where my hand was currently tracing his ink. The tattoo I’d been admiring wasn’t just a shoulder piece. It covered his shoulder and stretched across this chest.

  “How long have you had these?” I leaned closer.

  “Couple years.” His breathing picked up.

  “Is this ok?” I knew my inexperience was shining through brightly at the moment.

  “I like it when you touch me. Is it ok for me to touch you?” His voice grew strained again like when we were on the couch. I nodded as he leaned down and pressed a kiss to my neck, right below my ear. “I’ve been thinking about this for weeks. You’re so beautiful, Jenni. More beautiful than I think you see yourself as.” His lips traveled down my neck to my shoulder where he lightly tugged at my bra strap, causing it to fall down.

  My head fell back as his lips moved to my chest. “Tell me if you wanna stop,” he murmured as one hand expertly popped the clasp on my bra loose. As it drooped in front, so did his eyes. I felt myself flush as he attempted to stare at my breasts in the glow of the street lights. “So beautiful,” he whispered before tugging the fabric out of the way and tossing it to the side. I jumped slightly when his hand cupped one and squeezed lightly. A zing went right to my core and I felt dampness in my panties. It wasn’t like this with Nate. He was rushing where Evan was taking his time and thinking about me.

  I shivered as he squatted down in front of me, capturing a nipple in his mouth. He sucked and I shivered as my hands flew to his head. He chuckled as he released it before moving to the other one. While he was squatting in front of me, he tugged at the waistband of my yoga pants, pulling them down my thighs and letting them pool at my ankles. He stood and stepped back, shoving his own shorts and boxers down, allowing his erection to spring free. I swallowed as I took him in. He was bigger than I was expecting and all lean muscle. “You’re beautiful, Jenni. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.” He placed his hands on my shoulders. I was beyond nervous, but also more turned on than I’d ever been. “Relax.” He turned me so my back was to his chest. “I’m not going to hurt you, and you can stop this whenever you want.”

  “I don’t want to stop it.” I sucked in a deep breath, willing myself to stop shaking.

  “Close your eyes,” he whispered right beside my ear. I did as he said. His hands slipped around the front of me until he cupped my breasts again. He rolled the nipples between his thumbs and forefinger, bringing them to stiff peaks. His mouth traveled from my shoulder up my neck, to my ear, leaving a wet trail from his kisses. I began to lean back into him and he chuckled, causing my back to bounce on his chest. “I’m not done yet,” he promised as his left arm banded across my chest, holding my breasts in place.

  His right hand began to snake down my stomach, slowly inching toward my throbbing flesh. I whimpered, and his teeth grazed my lobe. “You need me like I need you.” His voice was strained, and I nodded as his hand dipped lower and caressed my center. It pulsed as if it knew he was there and he growled as one finger slipped through the wetness and parted me.

  “Oh god,” I cried as he held me tighter to him.

  “I’m gonna show you what being with someone is really about. It’s a joint effort where both parties have pleasure, and pain shouldn’t be in the equation unless it’s requested.” His finger slipped inside me, and my knees went weak, almost giving out. “I’ve got you.” He thrust it deeper as a second finger joined the assault.

  “Evan!” I all but screamed as my eyes flew open. All this time they were closed, and I wasn’t paying attention to anything except the way he was making me feel. Now with them open, I could see what he saw. He’d maneuvered us in front of my mirror, and was watching himself pleasure me.

  “Do you see what I see?” He pulled his hand back slightly as he dragged some of the wetness up to my clit, and pinched it. “Do you want to stop?” He dragged his nose up the column of my neck and buried it in my hair.

  “No.” I gasped as his pinched my clit again.

  He slowly began making his way toward my bed, and when we reached it, he released me. “Lay down, Jenni.” He nodded as he reached for his shorts. I watched as he removed a
foil packet from his pocket and tore it open. He tossed the wrapper to the floor and then sheathed himself. His cock bobbed as he advanced toward me. Everything about Evan made me nervous, but tonight I pushed it away. He said he loved me. He gave me chance after chance to stop him and he’s been nothing but tender since he started.

  I scooted to the center as Evan loomed over me. “You’re sure?” He pressed a gentle kiss to my lips. I nodded as I lowered myself completely flat against the bed. Evan positioned himself at my entrance before leaning down and pressing his lips to mine. He worked himself inside me as his kisses helped relax me. When he’d finally gotten all the way in, he paused and his eyes met mine. “Are you ok?” I nodded again.

  “Can you move now?” It came out almost pleading. I wanted more. After what he was doing to me in front of the mirror, I wanted to feel it again.

  “I can do that.” He chuckled as his hips pulled back and slowly pushed forward. “Like that?” He grinned.

  “Yes.” I panted as I arched my back.

  He pulled back slowly once again before gliding forward. He was taking his time with me. His hips moved in a fluid motion, pressing and pulling as his hands slid slowly over my torso. His lips moved from my mouth, to my cheeks, to my neck, and then across my chest before stopping on my shoulder.

  I curled my leg around his hip bringing us closer, and urging him to go faster, but Evan kept the slow pace. He was torturing me, but it was so good. “Evan.” I panted as I wrapped my arms around his shoulders. My back arched once more as my nails dug into his sides.

  His hips sped up the harder I clung to him, and soon I could hear low growls coming from his chest. “You don’t know how long I’ve wanted this.” He panted as he moved faster. He lifted himself up on his elbows as one arm snaked between us. His thumb soon found my clit, and as he began to pump into me faster, he pressed and rubbed it. The tingles from before started to come back, and as my head dropped back my orgasm rushed forward, almost blinding me with euphoria. “Fuck!” Evan shouted as he moved even faster. Within a few seconds his entire body quaked against me before he slumped over, catching himself on his elbows.

  We laid there for a few moments in the silence just listening to each other breathe. It was an important moment for me, and I wanted to remember it. This was my only sexual experience other than Nate. I felt like a school-girl, not a 21-year-old college girl.

  “You ok?” Evan began to climb off of me.

  “Yeah.” I nodded, suddenly feeling very shy. It was still dark in the room, but you could clearly see the outlines of our bodies in the light filtering through the curtains.

  “Be right back.” He held up a finger as he slowly opened the door. I almost laughed when I saw him look up and down the hallway to make sure the coast was clear. He ran across the hall and that gave me a moment to gather my thoughts. Would Evan stay over? Would he want to leave? Did I want him to leave? Before I could think too much on that, he was back and softly closing my door.

  I scurried under the covers on my bed as Evan moved over to sit on the edge. “Are you ok with me staying here?” He leaned forward and cupped my cheek. “I can leave, but I don’t really want to.” His lips turned down as if he was frowning while his eyes scanned the room.

  “You can stay,” I murmured as I slid to one side and pulled the covers back. “I’m putting you on the floor if you snore though.”

  “Noted.” He laughed, and the moment of awkwardness passed.

  I waited for him to lie down and then snuggled into the crook of his arm, resting my head on his chest. “I meant what I said earlier, Jenni. I’m falling in love with you. I am in love with you.”

  “I think I might be in love with you too.” I sighed as I closed my eyes and yawned. The day was catching up with me and I’d had a big night. This was the way I’d envisioned my first time being. I’d give anything to go back and tell Nate no, but if things had been different, I might not have met Evan.

  “Sleep.” He pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “We’ll talk in the morning.”

  ooooooooo

  Evan

  Tonight couldn’t have gone any better. I was worried that she’d want me to leave so she could process it all after the fact, but she didn’t. Having Jenni snuggle up to me was something I’d been hoping for since our first date. I wondered back then if it would ever happen, or if I’d be settling for light touches and chaste kisses.

  I’ve been lying awake for the last hour just watching her sleep. She’s curled on her side with her hand tucked under cheek. Her breathing is soft and her lips are curved up on one side as if she’s smiling in her sleep. I’ve been wondering if she’s dreaming about tonight.

  It’s about three in the morning now. I’ve had a sinking feeling in my gut since I woke up, but I have no idea why. I shifted on my side and that’s when I heard it. The vibrating sound of my phone against the wood floor of Jenni’s room. I slowly climbed out of bed to see who was calling at this god-awful hour when I realized why my stomach had been twisting. Vince’s name was blinking on the missed calls list, and the phone soon chimed to alert me of a voice message. I pressed the play icon, and held the phone to my ear.

  “E! New shipment came in. I need you at the warehouse now. Tell your sick mother you gotta work, and don’t give me any other bullshit excuses.” My shoulders dropped as I deleted the message. “Fucking great,” I muttered as I glanced back over my shoulder at where Jenni was still sleeping peacefully. How the hell was I going to explain this? I quickly tapped out a text to Toni after sitting up.

  New shipment in. Set up bust for tonight. Enough product for hard time. Make it happen.

  After hitting send, I deleted the message and climbed out of bed. I slipped my boxers and shorts back on before grabbing my shirt, and inching my way to the door. Before slipping out into the hallway, I took one last look at Jenni and cursed myself for doing this. It would be worth it though. After tonight, I could tell her the truth and we could be a real couple I didn’t have to hide.

  I tugged my shirt over my head and strode towards the door. Just as my fingers wrapped around the knob, Mason stopped me in my tracks. “Give me one reason why I shouldn’t lay you out right here?”

  My shoulders slumped as I slowly turned to face him. “It’s work. I can’t tell you what it is, but it’s important. I’ll explain later.” I yanked the door open and rushed out, leaving with no more explanation. I just hoped that I wasn’t ruining whatever this was. Jenni and I were just getting started, and I couldn’t seem to keep the bombs away no matter how hard I tried.

  Chapter 21

  Evan

  After leaving Jenni’s place, I rushed to the warehouse to meet Vince. I didn’t have my usual black attire on, but the fuck if I cared at the moment. It was three in the morning, and he got me out of bed. When I pulled into the lot, I whipped the car into a parking spot near the back, and then leaned over to grab my gun out of the glove box. I loaded the clip, and then placed a backup in my pocket before climbing out of the car. After tucking the gun in the back of my shorts, I strode over to the door that I usually met Michael at.

  Right before I lifted my hand to knock and announce myself, it cracked open. It wasn’t Michael that I was met with though, but Dean. “Hey.” He nodded as he opened it further, and let me pass by him.

  “Where’s Michael?” I glanced around.

  “You didn’t hear?” Dean smirked. “Fucker got busted.” His shoulders shook from a silent laugh.

  “You don’t say.” I smirked. The truth was, I thought this might be a possibility. I’d set Michael up last week in the hopes that he’d take the bait. I guess he did, and now he was in lock up.

  “He’s why we’re meeting in the middle of the night apparently. Boss is worried that we might have a rat in the mix.” Dean began following me to the back room where Vince usually held his meetings.

  “Sounds like paranoia to me,” I scoffed.

  “Call it what you want, he’s pissed.” Dean stopped sh
ort and almost ran into me. There, in the middle of the room, was a table filled with white bricks, and on the other side of it was Vince.

  “Nice of you ladies to join me.” Vince narrowed his eyes at me. “Iron Man?” He flicked his finger, causing me to look down and remember that I hadn’t changed.

  “You called me at three in the morning. I grabbed the first thing I could,” I grumbled as I rolled my eyes.

  “We need to blend in.” He slammed his palms on the table, causing it to rattle and Dean to jump.

  “You think dressing in all black blends in?” I jerked my head back. “I go to college. College kids dress like this, Old Man.” I jammed my finger in the air at him. I was pushing his buttons, but I was tired of this bullshit and I was getting to the point of not caring anymore.

  “Watch it, boy!” He matched my stance. “You’ll be drinking your next meal if you talk to me like that again.”

  I blew out a deep breath and lifted my brows in acceptance. “Why are we here again?”

  “This,” he waved his hands over the table, “is four million dollars, boys.” His lips spread into a devious smile. “I’m looking to turn it into ten.”

  “And we needed to be here at three in the morning for this?” I stared him straight in the eyes, challenging his decision.

  “We have a rat among us. I intend to find it.” He shrugged as he waltzed over to where the duffles were piled. “Come get your product.” He tossed the duffles on the table and motioned for us to start packing.

  “Why isn’t this cut yet?” I placed a brick in the bag.

  “Micky got pinched. You’re cutting your own shit now.” Vince sat back down and crossed one leg over the other knee as he grinned at us.

  “You trust us to cut it to your liking?” Dean’s eyes went wide.

  “No.” Vince chuckled. “Cut it my way, or I’ll cut you…piece by piece, and toss you in the river.”

  “Bro.” I swatted his arm. “Shut the fuck up, and let’s go.” I finished packing my duffle and turned to head back to my car. I had a bad feeling about this whole exchange and I needed to touch base with Toni. Vince was getting ballsy and I was actually starting to feel the possibility of being discovered.