Courted by Karma (The Adventures of Anabel Axelrod)

by Ellen, Tracy

  Thanksgiving 11/22/12

  12:41 AM

  Smiling at the man in the shadows lounging uninvited in my bed, I untied the belt and let the black robe fall open. I hoped my punishment would be slow and sweet. Anything else was beyond me at the moment.

  At the sight of him in my room, I wasn’t feeling so tired on the surface, but my reserves were kaput. I didn’t even have the energy to ask Luke the questions on the tip of my tongue--the most urgent being how the heck did he keep getting into my locked building?

  I didn’t say anything, but walked in front of the foot of the antique iron bed and across the room to my lingerie dresser. I just wanted to climb into my cool, comfortable bed, be surrounded by his strong, warm muscles, meekly take my promised punishment, and pass out.

  ‘Shoot, this would all be after I talked with Crookie.’

  Luke’s made himself right at home against the piles of fluffy pillows propped behind him on my bed. He was sitting with his hand dangling from the forearm resting casually on his bent knee, as he watched me sashay by him with a small smile curving his full lips. The brown silk duvet was pulled back invitingly and pooled at his lap. Surprisingly, he wasn’t nude but was wearing a white T shirt. Through the thin fabric, I could see the outline of a bandage on his chest.

  Surprised by the sight, I paused in taking off my earrings and motioned at his chest with raised brows.

  He shrugged a broad shoulder. “John might have cracked a rib, so I’m taped up. It’s nothing.”

  Used to my brother always being bandaged up for one reason or another, I took Luke at his word that his injury was no big deal and didn’t fuss. Opening a drawer, I was about to make a selection when there was a soft, furtive knock on my door.

  I hurried to the door. Luke raised a black brow and asked softly, “Expecting company?”

  Tying my robe securely, I grinned at his sardonic tone. I opened the door partway to a flustered Crookie looking worriedly back towards the living room. The look of relief on his face when I answered the door would have been funny if he didn’t brush past me and enter into the room.

  “Help me, Bel!”

  At the sight of a man on my bed, Crookie stopped abruptly. He threw me a surprised look and squinted suspiciously into the shadows surrounding the bed. Crookie relaxed seeing Luke. I wondered who he thought it might be, until I recalled he didn’t know about Mad Mike in my office today. He was probably worried about my bed-hopping proclivities.

  Crooks smile was harried and he blurted, “Oh, it is you! When did you get here, Luke?” Not waiting for a reply, he agitatedly pushed back his hair and blurted, “Sorry about this, but I really need Bel. This will only take a minute. I hope.”

  Luke negligently waved off Crookie’s apology. My back against the closed door, I could tell from his relaxed posture my Dark Prince got a kick out of Crookie.

  “What’s wrong, Crooks?” I asked, biting my cheek not to give into the laughter bubbling up inside me. The hunted expression clearly visible on my tall friend’s crimson-hued face said it all.

  “It is those Florida girls!” He hissed, and his eyes were frantic behind his glasses.

  “What about them?”

  He glanced back at Luke, who nodded his dark head encouragingly.

  That’s all the impetus Crookie needed to explode in a loud whisper, “They asked me if I thought it was true that the length of a male penis was in proportion to other body parts, such as fingers, feet, or height. I told them a statistically significant correlation between penis size and the size of other body parts has not been found conclusively in any research. Although, there have been a few studies that have found a weak correlation between the size of the stretched penis and foot size and height; they have been too weak to be definitive.” He looked bewildered. “Bel, they both want to have sex with me! They started arguing who got me first and decided we would all do it at the same time!” He wrung his hands and cracked his knuckles audibly. “What is wrong with them, Bel?” Without waiting for an answer he turned a plaintive voice to Luke, “What would you do?”

  “Yes, Luke, what would you do in these circumstances?” I inquired with genuine interest.

  Luke’s laughter was low and gave me a shiver. “First of all, Crookie calm down, man. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. If you do want to have sex, grab a few condoms and go have fun.”

  Crookie’s hands slowed and he repeated under his breath, “This is true, this is true. I do not have to do anything and they cannot make me. Okay, okay, what next?”

  Luke, looking a little nonplussed, replied cautiously, “What do you mean ‘what next’?”

  Crookie stopped wringing his hands and started pulling on his hair. “What do I DO with two girls?”

  Luke’s glance at me was rife with so much amusement that I was almost happy to hear two siren voices coming down the hall calling out softly, “Oh Bobby, where are you? Are you hiding from us? Come out, come out wherever you are!”

  My laughter was covered up by Crookie’s moans, as he clutched my arm and frantically begged, “Hide me, Bel! Do not let them take me!”

  I rubbed his arm and calmed him soothingly, “Don’t worry, you’re safe. I won’t let them drag you off, I promise. Now quick, answer this question. What if that was Tre J out there, begging and pleading with you to have sex with her after stripping off her clothes?”

  Crookie stopped spazzing around and peered down at me. “Jesus, Bel, your mind is so strange!”

  Hearing Luke’s surprised voice seconding Crookie’s statement, I giggled but insisted, “What does that image make your mind think, Crooks?”

  He shook my arm and whispered fiercely, “I am not telling you the sexual thoughts I have in my head about Tre J, and you cannot make me!”

  Grinning at his answer, I motioned him to stand behind me and out of sight. He jumped to obey immediately. I opened my door and stuck my head out. CeCe and Misty had their heads stuck into my walk-in closet looking for signs of their quarry.

  “Pssst, girls!”

  They both turned to me at once and mischievous smiles lit their faces.

  Misty called out, “Hi, Bel. Have you seen Bobby?”

  “Yeah, sorry girls, but I think he’s with Tre J. Did you know she’s the extremely jealous type?”

  They looked at each other in surprise, and then both shrugged in good-natured resignation.

  Misty said, “Okay. I’m off to bed then. Goodnight, Bel. Sorry we woke you!”

  CeCe echoed, “Yes, goodnight, my love!” She exclaimed nervously, “Wow, I really hope Tre J isn’t going to be mad at us. She could beat the fuck out of both of us at once. Hey, I’m sleeping until noon tomorrow. What about you, Mist?” CeCe turned to me with a smile. “Or do you need help earlier for Thanksgiving, Bel?” She laughed and demurred, “Not that I know how to cook, but I can get up and help you stick a bird in the oven at dawn or whatever.”

  Misty stated, “We’ll sleep in, but don’t worry, Bel. We’ll still get up to help you tomorrow in plenty of time.” She informed her best friend, “Turkeys don’t need to get cooked that long anymore. Also, I don’t think Tre J could take us both on and win. She could obviously beat you up, but not me.”

  Celeste complained, “What the fuck, Mist. She could not beat me up that easy. I’m taller than you!”

  Misty said calmly, “Yes, CeCe, she could. You are tall, but you are weak and don’t know anything about fighting.”

  As they walked past my door, Celeste smiled sheepishly at me. “She’s right about that, Bel.”

  “Ah, CeCe, you’re a lover not a fighter, girl, so don’t worry. Sleep tight, you two!” I said on a laugh, watching until the squabbling pair made it down the long hallway to their shared room with Layla and closed the door.

  I opened my door wide and said to Crookie, “Coast is clear. Run, Bobby, run!”

  He waved to Luke and bolted past with a whispered, “Thanks, you guys. I owe you!”

  I called aft
er him in a low voice, “Don’t forget to lock your door, and I hope you like the name Theodora!”

  Laughing at the confused look he threw me over his shoulder, I shut my door again and wished I had a lock.

  Luke’s shoulders were shaking as he laughed silently and rubbed his hands over his face. I turned on the bedside lamp and switched off the light on the mirrored dresser. I went over to my lingerie chest again and pulled open a drawer.

  “What are you doing, Anabel? Get over here into bed. Come hide under the blankets with me before someone else needs you.” Luke teased, throwing back the covers.

  Untying my robe, I grabbed a pretty white nightgown. “Just a sec, I’ll be right there.”

  “What are you doing?” He asked again, swinging his legs to the floor and walking over to me.

  “You told me to wear white next time to please you.” I replied, looking up at him with a flirting smile. “You know that’s my only goal in life.”

  He took the nightgown out of my hands and tossed it back in the open drawer. Putting his hands under the open black robe, he slid the heavy fabric off my shoulders to land at my feet.

  “And such a smart goal that is, but I prefer you wearing this white tonight.” He ran a hand lightly down, following my curves while his hooded eyes leisurely followed.

  Luke had on a T shirt and boxer briefs that mold and outlined to perfection. I was definitely pleased with his choice of white. I was only glad the Florida girls couldn’t see his penis right now because I don’t think hiding under the covers with me could save him. Crookie’s research resources were accurate. Stretched penis size didn’t correlate in proportion to height.

  My bedroom was very chilly which is how I like to sleep. Seeing my shiver and mistaking me for cold, Luke took my hand and pulled an unresisting me over to the bed.

  He frowned down at me. “Why is your forehead red? Did somebody slap you again?”

  I giggled and waved off his concern. “I walked into a door, it’s nothing.”

  He was silent a moment until I teased, “I’m beginning to believe your house is just a stage setting with no interior. You don’t have a bedroom of your own, do you?”

  Choosing the side that was closest to the door, he stretched out and smiled up at me while patting the mattress next to him. “Damaris and Paul commandeered my bedroom. It was either here or the couch again.”

  Rolling my eyes, I didn’t bother to complain he was in my spot, but climbed across the bed and snuggled in next to him. I couldn’t believe what came out of my mouth next.

  “I’m surprised Svettie didn’t rush to offer her side of the bed to you.”

  ‘What is WRONG with me?’

  “She did, but DDL has a strict no fraternization policy,” Luke answered blandly.

  The bedsprings squeaked as he turned off the bedside lamp and pulled the covers up over us both.

  That was exactly why I’d always scoffed at other women when they asked those kinds of questions of men.

  I totally agree, who in their right mind wanted to hear those kinds of answers?

  Now I was going to have visions dancing in my head of that sleazy, model thin, cat-eyed Russian trying to lisp my fake boyfriend into sleeping with her. They’d probably discuss the pros and cons of these seduction attempts at her next employee review. I bet Svettie’s come-fuck-me bra tonight was smiley face yellow.

  “Oh.” In the total darkness, I felt free to scowl fiercely. I punched my pillows to adjust them around Luke’s bent arm under my head. I wriggled even more, getting my bottom precisely adjusted against Mr. Employee of the Year’s benefit package, but I was careful not to press back on his bandaged chest.

  I could clearly hear the grin in Luke’s voice. “Yeah, aren’t I lucky to have a dirty, local secret as a backup bed?” While I grimaced at his cheerful tone, he spooned me from behind. He kissed my cheek and ordered, “Now go to sleep. I’m still disappointed in you for hunting Russian enforcers on your own, without honoring our pact. You have training in the morning, so we’ll talk more about teamwork then.”

  Clearly being in the wrong on this one, I said in a small voice, “You’re right. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner about the local grapevine in action. Thanks again for your help with Jack. The fake arrest idea was brilliant.” Except for a slight squeeze, silence met my belated apology and sucking up. “I can’t come over to train tomorrow morning, it’s Thanksgiving! I have too much to do. Plus, I am sleeping late if it kills me.”

  “Huh. A dedicated operator never lets anything get in the way of their training. Let me know if you change your mind, I’ll be in the barn all morning.” Luke’s big hand squeezed my waist again. There it stayed, resting on my bare skin like a hot coal. “Blanca is okay?”

  Not biting over his nonchalant comment at my lack of dedication, I murmured, “Yes, the darling is safe and sound with Stella tonight.” I sighed and added, “Will you really take care of the pedophile enforcer, please? I’m okay with castration, but I prefer culling for the good of the herd.”

  “Yes, that is the only real deterrent.” Luke’s voice was matter-of-fact in the dark room.

  “Mmm, good, so we’re agreed,” I stated softly with a tiny yawn.

  There was a minute of silence. Vividly aware of the weight of that big, warm hand just inches above or inches below more productive places it could be resting, I asked on another little yawn, “Umm…aren’t you going to punish me, my Devil?”

  “I am punishing you, Princess,” was the low response in my ear.

  Smiling drowsily, I murmured, “How is it fair that you get to sleep with clothes on while I have to be naked and wanting you?”

  “Life is not fair. Deal.”

  Feeling the lure of Morpheus beckoning, I fought it and whispered, “I’m not too tired, you know, or too sore, if that’s what’s stopping you.”

  “You’re exhausted,” he contradicted, kissing my neck. “Besides, I’d need to perform an up close and personal exam to determine if your,” Luke paused, “cha-cha is too sore.”

  My yawn was a jaw cracker this time; even while I giggled at the way Luke’s deep voice appeared to relish pronouncing the femininely foreign word cha-cha.

  Drifting off, the last thing I remember mumbling was, “My cha-cha exams are usually done by female doctors, not male lawyers, but if you insist….”

  Chapter XVIII

  “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers

  Thanksgiving 11/22/12

  4:20 AM

  “It’s time for that talk.”

  I felt kisses on my face, my neck, my breasts, my stomach.

  I shook my head to escape the voice. “Talk?”

  I felt more kisses and hands on my body, stroking and making me moan in my dreams.

  “The talk you promised me.”

  I felt hands turning me and arranging me, putting my legs here and my arms up there.

  I mumbled and moved closer to the hot sun.

  I felt the warmth hold me closer and then I felt friction and fullness.

  “I want to know everything you don’t like about me.”

  I moaned softly. “Why do men want to talk so much?”

  “Every. Single. Thing.”

  I begged my dream man, “Oh my god. Please don’t let me wake up.”

  I felt his lips on mine, and I opened my mouth to the slow rhythm of his tongue. I opened my legs wider to the slow rhythm of his hips.

  “Tell me, Anabel.”

  I murmured faintly, “I told you I wasn’t too exhausted and sore for this…”

  “Tell me, Anabel. I want to know everything you don’t like about me while I’m inside you like this and you’re holding me tight, kissing on me.”

  I held him tight to me and kissed on his chest, his neck, his face, his mouth. My unlocked soul gave new meaning to my murmured words of hunger and adoration. My hands showed him this with every stroke on his body and every touch on his face while I worshipped him. He moved within me harder and
faster in response to these caresses and whispers, until he groaned my name and I sighed his.

  We came together while I whispered the one true answer to what he demanded to be told.

  “I hate there’s nothing I don’t love about you.”

  Chapter XIX

  “Somebody That I Used To Know” by Gotye

  Thanksgiving 11/22/12

  6:40 AM

  I woke up alone, but I’d slept in ten minutes later than normal so I was feeling refreshed and raring to go. Fleeting thoughts and images of Luke echoed in my mind while I sat up and stretched. After our lovemaking, he got dressed in the dark and left my bedroom without another word or a backward glance.

  Undisturbed by his behavior, I couldn’t stop smiling while I slipped on my robe and pulled back the curtains. The sun was not completely up yet, but it’s lighter in my bedroom once the heavy draperies were pulled aside on their gliding rings.

  Today was supposed to be another sunny day, but it could be a raging black storm out there and it wouldn’t affect my exultant mood. Those hushed moments in the predawn darkness of my bed while joined together with Luke have filled me with such an intense joy. I couldn’t bear to face the brightness of my exhilaration head on. I also couldn’t stop myself from happily, but tentatively, poking and prodding at the heady, new feelings overwhelming me this morning. My mind, body, and soul were singing exultantly with a sense of harmonious rightness. Filled with sparkling effervescence, I believe I could whistle right now and maybe even sing.

  I was convinced by this never before experienced melding of my brain and spirit that somehow I was going to have a relationship with Luke Drake that I don’t have to run away from, and that wasn’t going to smother or trap me.

  I was going to put into practice what NanaBel advised me in her recent email. I was going to follow my instincts. Where Luke was concerned, I had given myself over to him sexually since the moment I clapped eyes on him, but I’ve fought the giving of myself in true intimacy. Well, I have no clue what true intimacy was, but I was going to do what my soul has demanded of me. I was going to stop fucking around and find out.