“You have your life set out before you, you’re going to start law school in a few months. What do I have to look forward to?”
“Don’t you play that with me.” She tipped her head to look up at him. “I know you always wanted to open up your own martial arts studio. There’s no reason you couldn’t do that. On the drive through East Aurora’s main street I noticed a couple empty business fronts, surely one of those would have the space you need. You and Finn, you could do it.”
“Maybe Finn, he has a pretty clean record, but not me. No one wants their children to be taught by a criminal.”
“My black knight, you’re turning your life in a different direction. There’s no better teacher out there. Trust me I should know. I couldn’t defend myself from a fly before you came into my life and now I’m better but…well thankfully I have you and Finn.”
“Don’t sell yourself short. You put up a good fight with Jorge. I had my money on you before he slammed your head against the trunk.” He slipped his hands under her shirt. “It’s been a hell of a day. Why don’t we put the talk of the future aside until tomorrow? Tonight I think shower sex is in order. What do you say, will you join me in the shower?”
“Go heat it up, I’ll be right there.” She leaned back tugging her sweater over her head before he finally let her go.
“It will be hot enough.” He slipped his hand into hers, dragging her long to the bathroom with him.
Moments later she was locked in his embrace, water cascading down their naked bodies. Her hands roamed over his body, taking in the new muscle, while her gaze stayed focused on his face. Even with the loss of her father still fresh, she was grateful to have him by her side. It was like a dream come true to be standing there with him.
Every time his touch left her body, she felt a chill rush through her. She longed for their next embrace, even a simple caress. He was like the air in her lungs, she couldn’t live without him. She’d spend her life with him if he allowed her. It was what she wanted more than even going to law school.
Her arm brushed along the cool glass shower door, causing her to shiver, and he turned toward her. “Ready?”
“Always ready when it comes to you.” Steam rose from the stall as he pulled her further into the cascade of water. Hot water flowed down her body, nearly scalding her. “Wow!”
“Too hot?” He shifted his body in front of hers, allowing his back to catch most of the spray. “Let me turn it down.”
“No, leave it.” She stopped him as he reached back for the handle. “Kiss me.”
Not having to be asked again, his lips crushed against hers with such force she’d have stumbled if he hadn’t wrapped his arms around her waist. Full of promise and desire, the kiss made her sink into his embrace. Even after multiple rounds of sex it was as if they still couldn’t get enough of each other. Would it always be like this? A relationship was full of heat and desire in the bedroom and even more outside of it.
His tongue invaded her mouth. She was met with the spiciness of coffee he downed like water throughout the day. Before her thoughts could turn to anything else, his hands ran down her body, exploring her curves. Slowly, he worked along her skin before sliding his hand between her legs. As his finger caressed her clit, sending waves of pleasure through her, she couldn’t stop the moan from escaping around his unrelenting kiss. He worked his fingers inside of her, as his thumb continued to tease along her clit, pleasuring her in ways she only imaged. Breaking the kiss, he pulled his hand away and lifted her off the ground. He pressed her back against the cool tiles and kissed along her neck. “So fucking beautiful.”
Wrapping her legs around him, she let her hands roam over his back. His shaft teased along her most intimate parts making her grind down against him. While he always made foreplay worth it for her, she wanted him inside of her. Teasing her nails along his back, she arched into him as he sucked her nipple between his lips, gently tugging until a moan tore from her lips. “Please…I want you. Now.”
“Tesoro, you’ve always had me. You always will. Always.” He let her nipple slip from his lips and rose so his face was inches from hers.
The way his fingers dug into her hips and his eyes stared into hers, she realized there was more to his comment than she understood, but before she could question it, he distracted her. Sliding his shaft along her folds, he teased along her opening before he slipped his hand between them. Readjusting, he thrust inside her with one continuous motion. Her head tipped back as another moan tore from her.
Buried to the hilt inside of her, he paused and pressed her tight against the wall. “I can’t get enough of you. Most of the day I thought about doing just this. I love the way your body reacts to mine with the simplest touch. The way you eye me across the room, as if wanting me as much as I want you.”
Any doubt that might remain he’d wake up and realize he’d made a mistake disappeared as she brought her hand from his back to cup the side of his face. “I love you, Jax.”
With his eyes closed, he tipped his head forward, pressing his forehead against hers. “I love it when you say that while I’m buried balls deep in you.”
Slowly his hips pumped against her, working his shaft in and out of her. With each pump, his pace sped until she arched into him, matching his thrusts with her own. With her fingers still tangled in his hair, she kept his face close, watching his eyes as he drove into her.
“Don’t stop.” She tipped her head back, letting it rest against the tiled wall of the glass-enclosed shower as her ecstasy grew. His own grunts kept pace with her moans. “Oh, Jax!”
He grabbed hold of her hips and drove his shaft into her harder and faster. The frenzy had her moaning until she called out his name and groaned as her climax sent her over the edge. He followed her moments later as he buried himself deep within her one final time.
“Fuck, Tesoro.” He dipped his head to her neck, planting soft kisses along the curve before working his way up to her ear. “That was too quick.”
“Don’t.” She pressed her finger to his lips. “After today we needed that and who said we were done. We’ll finish this shower and who knows. A little sleep, some more lovemaking. We’ve got the rest of our lives.”
Chapter Thirteen
Weeks flew by in a rush as Kaytlyn prepared for her first semester of law school while Finn and Jax put the final touches on their martial arts studio. Everything was coming together. Finn was still staying at the house with them to keep an eye on things as Uncle Vic was moving the family in a better direction.
Her black knight might have stayed on a law-abiding path, but he was still her bad boy. There were parts of him that would never be squeaky clean, just as there were parts of her. Maybe that was why they fit together as they did. They each came from a dark world and made their way into a semi gray area of life. It would never be black and white for them. Hell, she didn’t want it to be. She needed a little excitement in her life, even if that was only having sex in the middle of the park where anyone could stumble upon them.
“Mail call.” Jax called as he stepped through the front door, stopping snow off his boots. “There’s something here from Gianna.”
“What?” She dropped the law book she had been reading onto the coffee table and jumped off the sofa. “I’ve been emailing and writing to her for months with no reply.”
“Well this is her handwriting.” Jax held it up just out of her reach. “Give the delivery boy a kiss and you can have your letter.”
“That’s blackmail.” She teased rising up onto her toes to press her lips to his. “Now give me the letter.”
With the envelope in hand she slid her finger under the seal, careful not to destroy the envelope. Her heart raced in her chest as she pulled the folded stationary from the confines.
Dear Kaytlyn,
I apologize for the delay in responding. I bet you’re frightfully worried, but I assure you everything is fine. Pavel and I are quite well. We were traveling, he wanted to show me his home coun
try. It was amazing and brought us closer together. I can honestly say I’ve never been happier in my life. It comes as a surprise to me as well. Uncle Ale thought he was doing this to bring peace to the families and he might have but he also gave me freedom.
Pavel is a kind and gentle man. I admit I was terrified of him at first, but over time I’ve grown to love him. His father still terrifies me, but I know my Pavel, he’ll never let anything happen to me.
I can’t wait for you to meet him. We’ll be in the states in three weeks. I haven’t told Papa yet, I want it to be a surprise. I need to tell him the news in person.
As I wrote this letter, I hadn’t planned on telling you, but I can’t help myself. We were close all our lives so it’s only right I tell you now. I’m pregnant. Please don’t tell anyone. Pavel and I agree if it’s a boy we’re going to name him Sigismondo, after my brother. Sigismondo Pavel Kuznetson. Quite a name, I know, but after the two most important men in my life.
There’s so much more to tell you but I want to get this packaged before the mail leaves. Also, I’ve established a new e-mail address [email protected]. That’s the best way to reach me.
I’m sorry about Uncle Ale. I’d like to say I’ll miss him but…
Love your cousin,
Gianna
“She’s pregnant and in love.” She leaned back against the back of the sofa. “I thought she’d be miserable and here she is happy and in love. I’m so happy for her.”
“Then why are you crying?” Jax rubbed a hand down her arm.
“It’s a woman thing.” Finn shook his head. “Wait until she’s pregnant. It will be water works for nothing more than a flower blooming in the garden.”
“Hey.” She snatched one of the throw pillows of the sofa and flung it at him.
“How do you know so much about it?” Jax eyed him.
“Girl I was dating, lived with her pregnant sister. It was a trip being there during her good mood swings. Other times you wanted to be as far away from her as possible.” Finn shifted in the chair, placing the pillow she’d thrown at him behind his back. “Though she was also going through withdrawals so I’m sure that didn’t help. She wanted to stay clean to give the baby a chance.”
“And?” She pried wanting to know it worked out.
“Delivered a healthy baby boy, which was adopted. Two weeks later, the mother overdosed.”
“Well fuck.” Jax caressed along her hip.
“She stayed clean to give birth to her son. That has to count for something.” Still it pained her to know the young woman was dead. The boy was adopted but if he ever sought out his birth mother it would be a dead end, or more to the point lead only to a grave.
“Tesoro, what’s on your mind?” Jax took her hand into his and she glanced up at him.
“Seems like dead bodies litter the road of our lives. So many lost in senseless violence or drugs. When I was a young girl, I thought there were flowers and rainbows around every corner. Now I know the world holds so much darkness. Not even the brightest flashlight can shine through it sometimes.”
“Two of the brightest flashlights can make an impact.” He squeezed her hand.
“Three.” Finn shot them a grin. “You’re not getting rid of me. We’re like a trio, someday with the right girl a foursome. We’re in this together.”
Together. That sounded perfect. Sometimes you have to travel through hell in order to find your piece of heaven. I’m not giving mine up.
Preview: Until Sydney
Forbidden fruit is so much more tempting…
The one woman Coal Tanner was never supposed to touch was the very same he couldn’t resist. She was his best friend’s baby sister, putting her strictly off limits. Not to mention, she was ten years his junior. Yet, she was the only person who made him feel alive, wanted, and everything in between. When he gets a call from his friend asking him to protect her, it’s not just her safety that’s on the line but his heart.
Sydney Manor wants to turn her life around after her family is ripped apart. Alone, she’s doing her best to start over, until a man from her past swoops in, trying to save her from the dangers lurking around her. How can he protect her when he knows nothing about the sordid things her family became involved with once he’d left town, years earlier? How can she pretend they are just friends when, unbeknownst to him, he’s owned her heart since he’d come to her rescue on the playground when she was six?
Now that life has thrown them together again, he might have a second chance if he can keep his doubts from forcing him to push her away again—even if it’s for her own good. Coal’s business has taken off, keeping him working long hours, giving him everything he ever wanted. But now that she’s back in his life, he realizes something’s been missing—her.
Chapter One
Outside the office windows, the world went by unnoticed by Coal Tanner as he continued working late into the night. Work didn’t stop just because the day faded into darkness. He put his heart and soul into Tanner Cycles and his work was never done. There were always parts to be found and ordered, clients to contact, designs to be approved, and more. The business had exploded far beyond what he’d thought it would. While that meant he had to take on more of an administrative role, leaving the hands-on work to his brothers, he still received the same rush of adrenaline with each completed project.
His cell phone vibrated along his desk, stealing his attention from the computer screen. Unknown caller. For a moment, he debated not answering it. The only people who had his number were his brothers, and a few friends. Business calls went to his office phone first and if he wasn’t there, they would be directed to his cell phone. This call never came through his office, meaning it was either someone close to him or a wrong number. With everyone’s number that was important to him programmed into the phone, it was more likely the latter. Still, he found himself putting his work on hold and picking up the call.
“Hello?”
“Fuck, man, I thought you weren’t going to answer.”
“Jay?” Coal’s original frustration fizzled out as the voice of his old buddy drifted through the speaker. “How’s it going?”
“Not so good. I was locked up tonight, but that’s not why I called.” Jay paused for a moment and lowered his voice. “It’s Syd.”
“Fuck, man!” He dragged his hand through his hair and leaned back in his leather office chair. “Tell me you didn’t get her involved in your shit.” It was bad enough that his old buddy couldn’t clean his act up but to bring his sister down with him took the whole mess to another level.
“Nah, but she’s in trouble. If they can’t find me…” Jay hesitated. “You know what will happen. Fuck! You’ve got to help me. That’s my baby sister.”
Yeah, he knew what would happen. They’d go after anyone connected to him, which would leave Sydney with a bullseye on her back that she might not even know about. “Where is she? Still living at your old house?”
“Yeah. I know it’s a few hours’ drive from you, but I don’t have anyone else to call that can keep her safe.”
“What about your dad? Can’t he watch out for her?” With the mention of Mr. Manor, Coal’s chest tightened. He didn’t like the idea of Syd being alone with him, even if he was her father. Whenever he was strung out on drugs, he turned abusive and Coal wouldn’t force anyone to suffer that torment, especially not Syd.
“He’s been locked up for a couple years now. Guess I’ll be joining him…” There was noise on the other end and Jay’s voice rose a notch. “I’m begging, man—you’ve got to help her.”
“Don’t sweat it. I’m heading out now. She’s not going to be happy, but I’ll have to bring her up here with me. It’s the best way to protect her. I can’t be gone from the shop for months.” Coal hit the save button on the document he was working on and shut down the laptop.
“I don’t give a shit if you drag her away kicking and screaming. Just protect her. If anything happens to her—”
T
he line went dead and Coal tossed the phone back onto the desk. No doubt his time was up. Coal didn’t need Jay to finish the threat for him to know his friend would hold him responsible if anything happened to Syd. Jay wouldn’t place the blame on himself for getting into this mess and leaving Sydney at risk. He would only see Coal’s inability to protect her.
Coal would drop everything to make sure she was safe. It didn’t matter, because there was no way he was letting her get caught up in the shit her brother left her in the middle of.
Shoving his laptop into his bag, he glanced at the clock on the wall, realizing it was past midnight. “Fuck.” It would take him at least twelve hours in the car, and that was with him breaking the speed limit and not hitting any traffic. He needed to get there quick if he was going to get her out of town before whoever Jay owed money to came looking for him. He grabbed his cell phone off his desk again and scrolled through his contacts. Knuckles.
The late hour didn’t faze him as he hit the button to call his old friend. Knuckles was a good guy, loyal to the family, and had been their pilot for more than ten years. There wasn’t a doubt in Coal’s mind that he could trust him to be willing to jump his aid now.
“Yeah?”
“Knuckles, I need a lift. How soon can you make it to the airstrip?”
“Tonight?” There was a hush of a female voice in the background, letting Coal know that Knuckles wasn’t alone. “Fine, man. Give me twenty. Will I be waiting for you? I have another run tomorrow afternoon, so I need to be back before then.”
“No, just drop me off in Pittsburgh. Then you can return, get some sleep, and be ready for Cal. File the flight plan. I’ll see you when you get here.” He didn’t give Knuckles a chance to respond before hitting end on the cell phone and placing it back on the desk. Who knew how long it would take him to convince Sydney she needed to get out of town? He wouldn’t hold Knuckles up when his brother, Callaway, needed him to pick up a cycle from Texas they were going to restore.
Road to Kaytlyn Page 6