Inferno Anthology

by Gow, Kailin

  I want U 2.

  When can I see U again?

  Another thrill shot through me. We’d only been apart a few hours and yet he was already missing me. That had to be a good sign.

  I’m not sure. Hopefully soon.

  Promise me sooner rather than later.

  I promise.

  By the way, that dress U R wearing looks amazing on U. That shade of green is definitely UR color.

  Oh my gosh! I thought, my spine stiffening as I shifted in my seat, awareness rushing through me. He’s here!

  “Are you all right, sweetie?” my mom asked, leaning forward slightly past my grandmother to glance and me, obviously noticing the switch in my demeanor.

  Leaning closer, I whispered. “I drank a bunch of water earlier and I need to use the restroom; but I don’t want to interrupt the service.”

  “Just go,” she replied softly. “I’ll tell your Dad so he won’t freak out.”

  “Okay, thanks.” Standing, I left our pew near the front and scurried over toward the far wall, instead of using the main aisle, hoping to deflect some of the attention and glances from others in attendance.

  Discreetly, I scanned the crowd, searching for Six, but I didn’t see him. Stepping out of the main room into the chapel foyer, I glanced between the front doors and the bathrooms, which were down the hall to my left.

  Turning in that direction, I let out a small squeal when Six stepped out from behind one of the pillars in the hallway.

  “Hey, sweetheart,” he drawled, his eyes flitting over me. “Gotta say, I’m liking my church girl, too.” His gaze warmed even more. “You’re complete perfection—both innocent and alluring at the same time.”

  “You’re not so bad yourself,” I replied, noticing immediately how the dark blue silk shirt hugged his muscular physique before dropping to his black trousers. I didn’t make it past his hips though…the bulge in his pants capturing my attention.

  He chuckled, snapping me out of my momentary pause. Glancing around quickly to make sure no one could see us, I gave a nod for him to follow me, which he did, placing his hand on the small of my back. As soon as we reached the hallway that held some classrooms, I opened the door to the first one and we stepped inside.

  “Nice place,” he said, staring at the four blank walls with chairs stacked in a corner.

  “Really?” I asked, failing to see what he found so impressive.

  “Any place with you in it looks pretty amazing to me.” He winked, stepping closer.

  “You surprised me, you know? I didn’t expect you to show up here—not really.” He continued to move closer, anchoring his hands at my waist and pressing me against the wall.

  “Well, get used to it, because I like being where you are.” He raised his arms, placing his forearms on both sides of my head, and leaned in closer. “Besides, I missed you already, so I wanted to come see you.” He briefly lifted his head and stared at the ceiling before glancing back at me. “No lightning bolts either, or fire and brimstone. Everything is looking good, so far.”

  His lips captured mine and I moaned, sliding my palms up his shirt before curling my fingers into his collar, dragging him closer and opening my mouth. His tongue invaded, dancing against mine as he pushed back from the wall, skimming his hands down my back and grabbing my butt, pressing me into him.

  “I like it when you wear heels,” he breathed against my skin. “You fit against me better.” Kissing my cheek, he moved to my neck, nipping me there.

  Tossing my head back, I couldn’t help my reaction to him, thrusting mildly against him, heat flooding between my legs. I wanted to be naked with him, to feel his hot, hardness inside me. Oh, these were definitely not church feelings I was having.

  “You’re driving me mad, sweetheart.” A hand moved down my side, his thumb lightly caressing the edge of my breast as it passed before sliding lower to my hip, and then to my thigh.

  Covering my mouth with his, again, his fingers began working at inching my dress up. I was lost in the way he made me feel, only wanting him to hurry faster.

  Faint music and singing voices drifted through the walls and I gasped, pushing him back. “Stop! We’ve got to stop!” I said frantically, holding him at arm’s length.

  “Why?” he asked, that sexy lopsided grin tilting the corner of his mouth, but he didn’t try to pressure me any further.

  “Why? Because we are in a church! We can’t act like this while we’re leaning against the wall in a church!” My voice sounded higher pitched than normal and slightly frantic. I was pretty sure he could feel my racing pulse it was thrumming so hard.

  He glanced behind me. “I don’t see why not. It looks like a perfectly good wall to me.” I knew he was teasing me, but I was still afraid to relinquish my distance.

  “It’s sacrilegious and you know it.”

  He shrugged. “God made us this way.”

  “Six,” I pleaded, and he sighed, backing away and holding his hands up in surrender.

  “Fine you win, but please—when can I see you again? Can you sneak out tonight? Can I sneak in? I work at the tattoo parlor during the day for the next three days and I have shows those nights on the strip. I don’t know how soon we’ll be able to get together.”

  I bit my lip, pondering his request. “Let me think about it. I’ll text you later and we’ll work something out, okay?”

  “I know you’ll be at the park later,” he said. “And so will I.”

  “But I don’t think I’ll be able to get away.”

  “I know, but at least I’ll be able to see you. That’s better than nothing.” His words melted my heart. I lifted my hand, cupping his cheek and he nuzzled into it. “Kiss me one more time before you go.”

  Pressing my mouth briefly to his, I wound my arms around his neck, not wanting to let him go. My body was trembling when I pushed him away. “I have to go. Thank you for coming to see me.”

  “Anywhere, anytime. Just give the word and I’m there. I don’t care if it’s just for a few minutes, even. If I can break away from whatever I’m doing, I’ll come.”

  Nodding, I smiled at him before hurrying out of the room and into the ladies restroom. I quickly straightened my appearance, noting I was completely flushed. Hopefully no one would notice.

  Stepping into the hall, I saw him leaning in the doorway of the room we’d just been in and briefly wondered why sin and lust incarnate looked so at home in a church. “See you soon, sweetheart,” he said, winking—just that simple movement increasing my heart rate, again.

  “See you soon,” I replied breathlessly. I held his gaze for a moment longer before hurrying back to the chapel.

  ***

  “Are you feeling okay?” my mom asked as we got up from our pew. “You seemed a little restless in there today and I noticed you’re looking flushed.” She raised her hand, placing the back of it against my forehead. “You feel warm, too. Maybe you should stay home and get some rest this afternoon instead of walking in the park. I don’t want you getting sick.”

  “No!” I immediately protested, not wanting to miss my chance to see Six. “I love the park.”

  “If your mother thinks you’re getting sick, then you need to stay home,” my dad said gruffly. “There are camera’s here today and I can’t have people thinking I’m forcing my sick kid to go to the park. It looks bad. Besides, you could pass your germs onto the rest of us. You’re staying home and that’s final.”

  I didn’t argue. Arguing with my dad was pointless. I would never win. We stepped outside, pausing where the minister was shaking hands with all his parishioners, before walking, as a family, toward the cameras waiting near the end of the sidewalk.

  I knew the drill, stay in the background and look pleasant while dad answered questions, then proceed to the car together in unity. I waited until we were in the car and headed toward grandma’s house to pull out my phone.

  I won’t B at the park 2day. My mom thought I looked flushed & my dad has ordered me 2 stay home.<
br />
  Perfect, was the reply. I’ll B over as soon as they leave.

  I had to bite the inside of my mouth to keep from smiling. I was both elated and terrified. Never had I ever done anything so risky.

  I’ll B waiting, I texted back.

  ***

  Watching out the window, I saw him jump the wall surrounding the back of the property. He’d parked another street over, too, so no one would recognize his car by our place. I hurried to open the back door for him and he tugged me to him as soon as he stepped inside, kissing me briefly.

  “Let’s go to my room,” I said, sliding my hand into his and guiding him toward the giant curved staircase that led upstairs.

  “Wow. This place is something else,” he said, glancing around.

  “Yeah. The house is the one place Dad doesn’t skimp on. He’s more than happy to flaunt his wealth here, with a little decorating help from my mom, of course.”

  “How long until they’re back?”

  “Usually an hour for the park, unless they get talking with potential voters, then it could be longer.”

  I pulled him into my room and shut the door behind him, locking it—just in case.

  “Holy shit!” he exclaimed and I turned to look at him.

  “What?”

  “This place is as big as my whole apartment—and a lot more…purple.”

  I laughed, trying to see it through his eyes. It was a large room with lavender colored walls and light carpet containing my white four-poster bed in the center of a long wall. “My bed isn’t as big as yours,” I offered, and he grinned.

  “It doesn’t need to be since one of us will almost always be on top of the other.”

  Immediately, the flush of heat raced through my body straight to my core and pooled there.

  “I’ve never had a guy in my room before—except for Tommy. My dad doesn’t allow it.” Turning, my hands naturally went to his chest, trailing down over the bumps and ridges I could feel beneath his shirt. He was so…hard, everywhere. I wanted to touch him—and not stop. He made me feel wicked things I never had before.

  His hands roamed down over my back, resting at my hips pulling me to him. “So, I get to be the first guy to kiss you in your bedroom?” Smiling slightly, his eyes roamed over my features. I nodded, licking my lips in anticipation. “Good, I like that.” He lowered his mouth to mine.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Six

  Heat raced through me like an inferno as I pressed my lips to hers. My body was hyperaware of every place her body touched mine, and I was pretty sure she had no doubt about how badly I wanted her. Every time I was around her, I had this damn raging hard on pressed against her.

  A soft moan escaped her lightly glossed lips, the sound getting lost in my mouth as she tangled her fingers into my hair. I wanted her closer.

  Squealing softly in surprise when I bent and scooped her off her feet, I carried her over to the bed, turning so I could sit down. Stretching out I pulled her on top of me and she straddled me, the movement bringing the weight of her body right where I wanted it. I couldn’t help a slight thrust against her and she sucked in her breath, biting her lip.

  Damn. She was so sexy.

  Reaching up, I slid my hands to either side of her face and pulled it back toward mine, pausing to study her sparkling eyes.

  “Now I’m the first guy in your bed, too.”

  “Technically, you’re on it, not in it.” She smiled softly, her eyes scanned my face and settled on my mouth.

  “I’ll happily rectify that…someday.” If I got under the covers with her right now, I’d be too tempted to start pulling her clothes off. Knowing her parents could be back at any time would make that a very bad decision. I just barely got her. I didn’t want to lose her right off the bat.

  Staring in my eyes, I saw the desire there. “I wish today was someday.”

  “So do I,” I replied, slipping one hand around behind her neck and pulling her down to close the distance between us.

  Again, sparks raced through me as our mouths touched and every nerve inside of me that wasn’t used to being denied begged for release. Whenever “someday” got here, we’d be explosive together…I had no doubt.

  Moving my other hand, I slowly trailed it down her body, grazing the side of her breast, and settling down at the curve of her butt. She rocked her hips against me, exactly what I was going for, and I responded in turn, pressing my hardness against her.

  My skin was buzzing under her touch, and when she lowered her arms, pressing her chest against me, I could feel the tight buds of her nipples through my shirt. She was just as turned on as I was.

  The kissing continued, mouths pressed, tongues tangling, skin licked, necks sucked, until I finally had to push her off me.

  “Brooklyn, sweetheart,” I said, my breathing ragged. “I need a break or I’m not going to be able to stop.”

  She didn’t argue and I got up, adjusting myself in my pants and walked away from the bed toward the shelves on the opposite side of the room, trying to calm my raging hormones.

  I slowly meandered around the space, taking in all her pictures and awards from throughout the years. There was one of her standing next to Tommy, he had an arm draped around her shoulders and was messing up her hair with his other hand.

  “It’s good thing he can’t see me right now.” I glanced over at her. “I’d be six feet under for messing with his little sis.”

  “I love that picture of us. His mom took it. We had a barbecue for his last birthday at her house. I wish I could’ve lived with them.” She sighed heavily. “I miss him.”

  “I do, too,” I replied, still finding it hard to believe he was dead. “Still no leads on his hit and run?”

  Brooklyn shook her head as she sat up. Her lips were swollen and her skin was flushed. “Nope. There’s been nothing.”

  “Such a shame.”

  “Tell me something.” She paused, staring at me.

  “What?” I asked, continuing to peruse her items, enjoying the chance to learn anything new about her.

  “Where’d you get your nickname from?”

  I shook my head and smiled, deciding to have a little fun. “I can’t tell you that. It’s classified.”

  “Classified, huh?” She sounded suspicious. “What does one have to do to get clearance?”

  Chuckling, my eyes traveled over her before turning back to look at more of her pictures. “Oh, I’m sure I could come up with something. I like this one of you,” I added, fingering the frame. “I think I need a copy of it.”

  She got up and moved beside me. “In my cheer uniform?”

  “Hell yeah. It will keep me occupied with wondering how limber you are and what kind of positions I can get you in.”

  Sighing heavily, she stared at me, shaking her head.

  “What?” I asked, sensing some disappointment in her.

  “I just wonder.” She stopped and turned away. “Never mind. I’ll ask you later.”

  Grabbing her, I tugged her back against me, leaning my chin on the top of her head. “Ask me now.”

  “Is everything between us just physical?”

  She caught me completely by surprise and I turned her to face me. “I totally jumped the gun with you, didn’t I?”

  She ran a finger over my chest. “Don’t get me wrong…I’ve really enjoyed the time we spent together so far, but….”

  “You want to know if that’s all I’m interested in?” Lifting her chin with my index finger, I forced her to look at me. “It’s not. I just got a little excited.”

  “I like it when you’re excited. But I want to get to know you better. We’ve proven the attraction between us is amazing. Is the rest amazing, too?”

  I rushed to reassure her. “I’ll make you a deal right now. No more making out unless you say.”

  “No!” Her eyes widened. “I didn’t mean it to sound like that. I—I just wish we could spend more time together.” She sighed again. “None of this is coming o
ut right.”

  “You want to date.” I knew exactly what she meant.

  Smiling softly, she nodded. “Yes. I know everything is weird with the whole sneaking around and parent issue, but that’s exactly what I would like—to do things together and get to know each other better.”

  “We’ll figure out a way to make it happen, okay?” Bending, I softly kissed her lips, slowly this time, as if I had all the time in the world. I’d give her whatever she wanted, at whatever pace she wanted—I simply needed her to be in my arms.

  She leaned into me, sliding her arms around my neck.

  A soft knock at the door interrupted us. “Honey? Are you okay?” The doorknob rattled and Brooklyn pushed away from me, a frantic look in her eyes.

  “Sorry, Mom. I locked the door. I was about to get in the shower to see if that would relax my muscles. Did you need something?”

  I stayed perfectly still, not wanting to make a sound that would give us away.

  “No, I just wanted to check on you. Rhonda has asked your dad to meet with her to go over some important last minute campaign things for this week. Patty asked if we were still coming over to play cards with the ladies. I can tell her we are cancelling this week and I’ll make you some soup.”

  “No, Mom. You go ahead. I don’t feel like I want anything to eat right now. I’ll just go to bed after my shower.”

  “Are you sure?” The concern was evident in her mom’s voice. “I don’t want to leave if you’re unwell.”

  “I’ll be fine. If it gets worse I’ll call you.”

  “Okay, if you’re sure. Let me know if you need anything.”

  “I will. Thanks, Mom. Love you.”

  “Love you, too. Get some rest.”

  Brooklyn turned toward me and smiled. “Want to stay a while longer? I doubt I’ll see either of them again before morning.”

  “I’m yours for as long as you want me,” I replied, grinning.

  “Then you’re going to be here a very long time.”

  I laughed softly, still feeling a little nervous about whether anyone might be close enough to hear us. “I have a suggestion, though.”

  “What’s that?”