“We’ll let you know if they call again, Ryan.” Falk shook Ryan’s hand. He was the one person in law enforcement he trusted. Josh escorted Ryan to the front door of the MMA studio. Brayden shook his head. “I don’t want to hear from them again, but there’s no doubt they’ll call. They won’t give up. That wasn’t their style at the fund. If it had been, they wouldn’t be in this kind of trouble.”
Falk twisted open the top on a bottle of water. “Everyone wanted a shortcut to the big money. Fuck, it was easy enough to make money on Wall Street. No one needed shortcuts.”
Brayden put his hand on Falk’s shoulder. “You worked harder than anyone. I dare anyone to say you took the easy way.”
Falk shrugged. “Compared to my mom who worked three crappy jobs just to support me, I had it really easy. Office job, perks, top pay. Fuck, Mom worked in some real hellholes waitressing, making lousy tips and less than minimum wage. No health insurance or paid sick time. She lived in fear of me getting sick. I remember her worrying all the time.”
“She doesn’t have to worry anymore. She’s living in a beautiful home and remarried to a great guy. You take good care of her. She’s proud of you, Falk.”
His mother was proud of him. At least one good thing had come from his time on Wall Street. He liked being able to take care of his mother. He liked to spoil Ava, too, but hadn’t had much of a chance other than their weekend in Tampa. She wasn’t like so many of the women they’d dated in New York. She wasn’t blinded by their money and success. In fact, she seemed almost oblivious to the fact they were rich.
Josh came back with his arm around Ava. “Look who I found when I was seeing Ryan out? The most beautiful woman in Plenty.”
Ava rolled her eyes. “Easy, Josh. No need to lay it on so thick. I’m already sleeping with you.”
Brayden grinned and smacked her bottom, causing her to jump and giggle. “Don’t make me spank you, baby. You’re the most beautiful woman in Plenty. Hands down.”
“Well, this beautiful woman is here for her self-defense lesson. I can’t wait to get good so I can kick your asses.”
Brayden got nose to nose with her. “You’ll need to practice. We’re all black belts. Besides, no woman of mine is ever going to be able to kick my ass. Let that fantasy go.”
Ava looked at Falk and Josh. “Are you going to let him talk to me this way?”
Falk laughed. She was so cute when she acted all tough. “We are. If you want to fantasize, I can think of much more fun things than being able to kick our ass.”
Ava stuck out her lower lip. “I want to kick some butt.”
Josh linked his arm with hers, leading her onto the red mats. “You will. Kick off your shoes and let’s get to work.”
Ava kicked off her shoes and set her purse on one of the chairs. Falk admired the curve of her bottom in the stretchy black shorts she wore. Her blue T-shirt hugged her breasts and made his cock twitch in his pants. She was too sexy for words.
Brayden grabbed some protective gear and started helping her put it on. “Did you have fun with the girls tonight at Charlie’s?”
Ava nodded. “You bet. We talked about the Halloween party. You guys aren’t going to wimp out on me, are you?”
Falk shook his head. “No way. I can’t wait to see you in your red flapper dress, personally. It’s going to be a great party. Okay, we’re going to show you some punches and kicks tonight, then show you some basic self-defense moves. Ready?”
“To quote Becca, I was born ready.”
* * * *
Her body was going to one gigantic bruise tomorrow. At the very least, she was going to be sore. Mixed martial arts was an awesome workout, but it used every bit of a person’s body. She was sweaty, tired, but exhilarated. She’d learned several different punches and kicks, which she’d promised Falk she’d practice. Falk had also stayed behind and taught her some basic self-defense moves such as using the heel of her hand to break an assailant’s nose, or kneeing someone in the groin. It had been the height of fun to beat up on him even when he was covered in protective pads.
Josh had been yawning halfway through her lesson and she had urged him to head home. After all, he’d been up since before five in the morning to work at the coffee shop. Brayden had seemed distracted with paperwork and eventually she’d convinced them Falk could take care of her just fine.
He pulled the pads off and tossed them in a corner. “How about a shower?”
He was sweaty, his hair clinging to his head and his T-shirt soaked. He gulped down a glass of ice water and leaned on the counter. She sipped at her water, letting her gaze take in his incredible male beauty. He was gorgeous, the kind of man who turned women’s heads.
“Were your parents good-looking, too?” Ava rolled her eyes and clapped her palm against her forehead. Her question had come out all wrong.
Falk gave her a slow smile. “It’s okay, beautiful. You can ask me whatever you want. And yes, my mother was beautiful. I saw a picture of my father and he was handsome, I guess.”
“You didn’t know your father?”
Falk shook his head. “He left when he found out my mother was pregnant. He may have been a handsome man, but he was a real jerk. He disappeared and we never heard from him again. I learned later he had used his good looks to marry a rich woman. As far as I’m concerned, outward appearance doesn’t have much to do with what a person has inside.”
“You’re right. Mike was good-looking but not a very nice person. It must have been hard for your mother raising you alone.”
Falk poured himself another glass of water. “You have no idea. We were about as poor as you can get without actually being homeless. My mother worked two and three jobs to support us. She didn’t have much education so she cleaned offices at night and waited tables during the day.”
“How awful for you. I guess I was lucky. We weren’t rich, but we did okay.”
“I consider being poor the best thing that ever happened to me.”
She hadn’t expected him to say that. He looked completely serious.
“You don’t seem to believe me, but it’s true. I learned a lot from being poor. I learned what hard work really means. I learned that money can’t buy you kindness or good taste. I learned how to blend in with people from every economic background. I learned to read people and trust my intuition about their intentions. When you and I first met, I knew immediately you were a good person.”
Ava felt herself blush. “I try to be a good person. Sometimes it isn’t easy.”
“You try. Trust me, there are people who don’t. I’ve met quite a few of them.”
“In New York?”
“Everywhere. New York is big, that’s why it seems it’s cornered the market, but they’re everywhere.”
“I knew a few in Chicago, so I guess you’re right. Brayden says you have spooky intuition.”
It was Falk’s turn to blush. “Brayden should keep his mouth shut. But, yeah, you could say I have spooky intuition. It was a help on Wall Street. It helped me navigate Harvard and then New York. It’s not like being psychic. It’s just an ability to read a situation or a person, and following my gut instinct.”
“I’m not sure I trust my gut instinct.”
Falk put down his glass and pulled her into his arms. “We need to work on your trust issues. It’s not just us you have a hard time trusting, it’s yourself, too. What does your gut tell you to do?”
“Right now?”
Falk’s arms tightened. “This very minute.”
She ran her hands down his damp back to cup his rock-hard ass. “My gut tells me to rip all your clothes off and ride you like a pony.”
He threw back his head and laughed. “Ride me like a pony? Damn, woman. You should always trust your instincts.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her back into the men’s locker area. “We need a shower. You can undress me.”
Falk grabbed a stack of towels from a cabinet, placing them on the bench, before standing in front of her and holdin
g his arms out.
“Here? Now? You want me to undress you?”
“Do you want me to get you started? I can do that.” Falk pulled his damp T-shirt over his head and tossed it on the bench. “Your turn, beautiful.”
Holy crap, he’s gorgeous.
She closed the distance between them and hooked her thumbs into the elastic waistband of his workout pants. His cock was already tenting the front and she had to stretch the waistband to get it over the growing bulge. He stepped out of them and she didn’t hesitate to tug his boxer briefs down, too. His cock sprang free, big, hard, and ready for action. She reached down and caressed it, watching Falk’s eyes go dark blue with passion and desire.
He pulled away from her questing hands and turned on the shower. “Undress for me, beautiful. Slowly.”
She licked her dry lips. He was challenging her to let go of her innate shyness. The men loved her body and let her know in every way possible. It was easy to be naked when they were having sex. It was hard to let go of her inhibitions at other times. She’d been critical of her body for too long to get over this in a few nights. She gathered her courage and pulled the shirt over her head in one motion.
“Slower. I want to savor this.”
She wanted to kill him. He was making her crazy, standing there like a Greek god. She took a deep breath and, slower than she ever had in her life, pushed her shorts down her legs and stepped out of them.
“Nice. Turn around when you do your panties.”
She turned her back to him and slid her panties down her legs. Her ass was on display for him and she wanted to grab a towel and cover the lower half of her body. She steeled herself to turn back to him. His expression was passionate, almost feral in quality. She felt a wave of heat sweep through her body and cream leak from her pussy. Her nipples tightened inside her sports bra. They were next to be revealed.
She pulled her sports bra over her head, revealing her heavy breasts with their taut pink nipples. She could swear she heard Falk growl as she tossed her last piece of clothing away. She stood before him completely nude and very self-conscious. His gaze caressed every part of her, his cock swelling even larger. It was a reddish-purple with a drop of pearly pre-cum at the tip. She wanted to fall to her knees and lick up the salty drop.
He reached out and caressed a straining nipple. “Beautiful, gorgeous. Do you want this, Ava? Say you do.”
She nodded, her throat suddenly tight.
He led her into the steamy shower cubicle, pulling the curtain and placing her under the stream of water. He poured some shower gel into his hand and began to suds her quivering body. He started at her toes and worked his way up, paying special attention between her legs. His soapy fingers fondled her clit and traced her folds, sending more heat spiraling through her veins.
He worked his way up to her breasts, cupping them and brushing the nipples with his fingers. She was clinging to him now, barely able to stand on her own. He pulled her up on her toes and captured her lips in a kiss that made her dizzy and aroused, his tongue fucking her mouth like she wanted his cock to do to her pussy. She protested when he pulled away, but instead he kissed his way down her torso to her cunt, placing one thigh over his shoulder.
She braced against the wall as his tongue found her clit. Her fingers tangled in his silky hair as his mouth drove her to the edge of pleasure. She panted and moaned, holding on to the edge of her sanity. He scraped her clit gently with his teeth and her climax exploded inside her. She felt the flames licking at her belly and cunt, then fanning out until her entire body was engulfed. He lapped at her lightly until she pushed his head away, sensitized and sated.
He stood and pulled her into his arms, holding her until she reached past him for the shower gel. She gave him a flirty smile. “Your turn.”
He held his arms out from his body. “I’m ready to get clean.”
She knelt and started soaping his feet and ankles. “You are a dirty boy.”
He waggled his eyebrows and grinned. “You have no idea. My mind is in the gutter right now.”
She quickly soaped his entire body except for his cock and balls. She eyed them with a smile, tapping her finger on her chin as if she was contemplating how to wash them.
Falk spread his legs wider. “Don’t forget the best part.”
She poured a dollop of soap in her hand and rubbed them together to make a lather. “The best part?”
“The top three.” He grabbed her hands and placed them on his balls. “Numbers three and two.” He moved her hands to his hard cock. “Number one.”
She giggled and washed every nook and cranny thoroughly. “All clean. You could squeak.”
Falk bent his head and looked down at his cock with a crooked smile. “Squeak, huh? It’s not a toy.”
She pressed herself to his chest, his cock sandwiched between them. “Are you sure? I want to play with it.”
“I like games. Let me grab something from my pants.” He hopped out of the shower for a moment only to come back with a condom packet. She shook her head in relief. At least one of them was thinking straight at the moment.
His strong arms lifted her up and held her against the tile wall. His cock pressed against her cunt, looking for entrance. “I have a game we could play. How about hide-and-seek?”
He thrust into her pussy in one stroke, drawing a moan from her as it rubbed her G-spot. She dug her nails into his muscular shoulders as his hands tightened on her thighs, holding her up, fucking her hard. She couldn’t move. She could only take the pounding he was giving her, each thrust rubbing against her clit and bringing her closer to release. She wrapped her legs tighter around his waist, urging him to fuck her harder and faster.
“You want it, beautiful? I’ll give you everything I’ve got.”
He gave her every inch he had, his cock pistoning in and out of her. They were both moaning and he leaned down to capture a nipple in his mouth, scraping it with his teeth. The bite of pain was what she needed to send her over the precipice she’d been teetering on. She screamed his name as the waves took over, making her a servant to the pleasure. He thrust one more time and then froze, his face tense and his muscles taut. The cords on his neck were outlined as he closed his eyes and bared his teeth. She could feel his cock jerk inside her as he came hard in the condom.
He finally lowered her until her feet touched the shower floor, but didn’t let go. They stood under the steamy spray, feeling the aftershocks of their orgasms, and enjoy the feeling of flesh against flesh. Finally, Falk reached over and shut off the water, grabbing towels for each of them.
“God, Ava, you are going to be the death of me.”
She let him dry her off, and did the same for him. “You’re welcome.”
Falk laughed, the sound echoing in the empty locker room. “I guess I should be thanking you. I’ve never had it so good. You’re not only fun to play hide-and-seek with, you’re fun to hang out with. If we could only teach you to cook, you’d be the perfect woman.”
Ava was quite possibly the worst cook in the world. Her favorite thing to make for dinner was reservations.
She waved off his observation. “Probably isn’t going to happen. Luckily, all three of you can cook. In fact, I could go for some fries at the diner.”
Falk smacked her ass with a grin. “I’ll grab your gym bag, we’ll get dressed, and I’ll take you for fries. Never let it be said I don’t know how to take care of a woman.”
“Trust me, Falk. No one would ever say that. Let’s get those fries.”
* * * *
Brayden’s phone started ringing as he and Josh pulled up in front of his house. He motioned to Josh to stay in the truck.
“This might be Roger and Troy.”
He pressed the Accept button. “Brayden Tyler.”
“Hey, Brayden. You answered your phone.”
It was Troy. Finally. He put his phone on speaker so Josh could hear, also.
“Of course I answered. I didn’t know it was you, though.
You’re calling from a different number than last time.”
“I only use prepaid throwaway phones, buddy. In my position, you can’t be too careful.”
“I guess so. It’s been two weeks. I was starting to wonder if I’d hear from you.”
“Roger and I needed the time to travel somewhere safe.”
“You’re safe now?”
Troy chuckled. “Like babies in their mama’s arms. Listen, I don’t have much time. Let’s talk money.”
“I’m listening, Troy.”
“You’re going to have to transfer the funds electronically. There’s no other way.”
Brayden felt his gut twist. Ryan had told him to agree.
“Sure. You’re right. There’s no way to give you the money face-to-face. Can you text me the account number?”
There was a rustling on the other end of the phone.
“I’m going to text you ten account numbers. I’ll start sending them next week. Transfer a million into each of them. The smaller number should keep any bankers from noticing.”
“Are these Cayman account numbers? Are you in the Caymans already?”
Troy laughed. “Let’s just say I spent the day sitting on the beach with an umbrella drink. I need to go now. Once I get the account numbers all set, I’ll send them to you.”
Brayden’s phone went dead. He immediately dialed Ryan.
“Sheriff Parks.”
“Ryan, it’s Brayden and Josh. Troy called. He’s going to be texting me the account numbers. It sounds like he’s in the Caymans.”
He could hear Ryan exhale slowly. “Listen, I think it’s time to call in the Feds. I have a contact I trust. He’s a good guy. Let me give him a call and bring him into the loop.”
Brayden hated the idea, but knew it needed to be done. He didn’t have much love for the Feds after what they had done to his life. To all their lives.
“You’re right. Give him a call. We’ll talk to him. I want this done.”
“Will do. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
Brayden punched the End button and stared into the darkness. Ryan was right. They would bring the Feds in and bring an end to Troy meddling in their future. For the hundredth time, Brayden wondered what his life would have been like if he hadn’t accepted the job on Wall Street. He wouldn’t have been investigated, but he also wouldn’t have moved to Plenty and met Ava.
Plenty of Trust [Plenty, FL 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 13