Unveiling Hope

by Jeannine Allison

  “M-my pussy. I want you to fuck my—” Her words cut off on a strangled cry as I thrusted inside her. I didn’t give her time to catch her breath before I was pulling out and ramming back in. My hips didn’t slow and I lowered my mouth to hers, catching all her whimpers.

  She struggled against the hand pinning her wrists. Breaking away, she turned her head. “Please… I need to touch you.”

  I pulled back, my cock still pounding into her, and my gaze roamed over her naked, bouncing tits, her dusty pink nipples erect and begging for my mouth. Eagerly leaning forward, I sucked her left nipple into my mouth. My free hand moved to her other breast, pinching her nipple. I placed soft kisses up to her collarbone and neck.

  “Derek…” Her voice shook and her eyes rolled into the back of her head. Sam’s wrists pushed against my hand again, and this time I freed them. Her hands immediately flew to my head, grabbing fistfuls of my hair and pulling my lips to hers. Her tongue plunged inside, wrapping around mine and sucking. My thrusts were wild and even though I was dying to come, I didn’t want this to be over yet. I slowed and my hands skimmed down to her waist. Then I quickly flipped us until she was straddling me.

  Our eyes locked as she hovered above me, her hands resting by my head. She shivered at the feel of my hands skimming down the backs of her thighs. I grabbed her ass and held her still. Lifting my hips, I began thrusting into her from below. Her whimpers and my grunts were a gorgeous combination. I was amazed by my restraint, how I was able to pull back and slow down. Instant gratification had always been my thing. This slow torture never seemed worth it. But with Sam it was everything.

  She kissed me as she slowly swiveled her hips, and her breath hitched each time her clit rubbed against me. Sam sat up and I let her take over completely. Her eyes stayed on mine as she lifted herself until only my tip remained inside her before gently moving back down. I squeezed her breasts and delighted in the moans pouring from her lips. In the way her head tipped back and she latched on to my hands, holding me to her. After a few minutes of her tantalizingly slow rhythm, she began bouncing on my dick.

  And I finally lost it. Sliding deeper inside her, I filled my hands with her ass like before, keeping her steady as I pounded into her. It was fast and frenzied.

  Sam leaned back over me, her nipples brushing against mine, causing us both to groan. I left one hand on her butt and wrapped the other around her neck, hugging her to me as I fucked her. It was an amazing combination of tender and sexy.

  “Derek…” Sam’s head fell to my shoulder. Her escalating cries filled the room. She was close.

  Without slowing, I sat up and flipped us over again. Sam’s hair fanned out on the pillow. Her lips were parted and her eyes fluttered. I covered her body with mine, and her hands clutched my back. My fingers were buried in her hair, pulling with every thrust.

  “Please don’t stop this time… oh God,” she cried out, each word sounding more desperate than the one before. I felt my orgasm racing toward me like a freight train—one there was no stopping. So I quickly reached down and pinched her clit. Sam gasped, her legs trembling before she let out a long moan.

  I watched as her orgasm washed over her in waves. And it was more beautiful than the first one because this time her pussy was clenching my cock. My hands were by her head and I fisted the sheets as the most intense orgasm I’d ever experienced raced through me. I nearly blacked out when I stiffened and emptied myself inside her.

  Our breathing was labored as we both came back down. I lifted myself off her with the little energy I had left. My hands brushed the hair back from her face, and I stared down at the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. Her eyes were shut with a sated smile spread across her raw lips. Leaning down, I gently brushed my mouth across hers.

  “Is it always like that?” she whispered. When I pulled back, her eyes were open and she was studying me, her gaze intent. “Because for me… it’s never felt that way.”

  Lifting myself up on an elbow, I cupped her cheek, my thumb wiping away a stray tear. “No, Sam. It’s never been like this before. Not even close.”

  I WOKE UP TO my phone vibrating across Derek’s nightstand. At first I didn’t even realize it was mine, but then I remembered that I’d brought it in with me last night.

  I’d ignored the first few calls, but now it was starting to worry me. Who would call this many times if it wasn’t important?

  Derek’s arm tightened around me, like he didn’t want to be separated from me even in sleep.

  I understood the feeling. After everything we’d endured, all the time we’ve spent apart when we should’ve been together, it didn’t seem right to leave his arms so soon.

  “Answer it here,” he mumbled.

  “You’re still sleeping.”

  “I don’t care.” Derek yawned, eyes still closed. He buried his face in my hair, inhaling deeply. “As long as you stay here.”

  I smiled, seeing Essie’s name on the display. My eyes caught on the time, too. 11:17.

  Snuggling back into Derek’s arms, I hit accept and whispered, “Hello?”

  “ARE YOU KIDDING?”

  I pulled the phone away and cringed. “What?”

  “You’re seriously going to pretend you haven’t kept something MASSIVE from me?” Essie asked. “I know everything, you little shit. I can’t believe you flew out here and didn’t even stop by to see me.”

  I winced. “I know. I know. I’m sorry. It—”

  “Oh hush. I don’t care… I mean, I do, but I understand. You were on a mission.”

  “It sounds horrible when you say it like that,” I mumbled.

  “It was horrible.”

  “Essie!” I hissed.

  “What? Breaking up with a person is horrible. Stop confusing a shitty situation with the idea that it makes you a shitty person. Staying with him when you weren’t meant for each other would be more shitty.”

  I smiled. “Thanks, Essie. You always know the right thing to say.”

  “Which is why I can’t believe you’ve kept this from me,” she grunted.

  “It’s been like twelve hours.” I looked over my shoulder and found Derek grinning at me. Hi, he mouthed. His hand moved down my stomach—

  “Sam!”

  “Shit,” I muttered, rolling away from Derek at the sound of Essie’s voice. But I rolled too far and fell off the bed. I grunted. “Ow.”

  “That’s karma,” Essie said in my ear. “Whatever happened, it’s karma.”

  I tugged the blanket out from under me and wrapped it around my naked body. “Can I call you back?”

  Essie sighed. “Sure, blow me off again…”

  “Es—”

  “I’m kidding. But you better call me back, loser.”

  We hung up and I got up on my knees. Derek was lying in the center of the bed, quietly laughing at me. I grabbed a pillow and chucked it at his head.

  “Oh, come on.” He turned on his side and propped himself up on his elbow. “This is what boyfriends do. They tease.”

  I froze, my hands clutching the sheet to my chest. Derek was unaffected by his words, but he watched me carefully. I cleared my throat and stood up, perching myself on the edge of the bed.

  “We didn’t talk about what this means,” I whispered.

  “We didn’t?” he murmured.

  “No. I mean… we’re clearly attracted to each other.”

  “Obviously,” he said with a grin. “But I’m not sure I could have been any clearer… when I said I want you, I meant everything, Sam.”

  “Everything?” Smiling, I scooted closer. “I like the sound of that.” Derek leaned in to kiss me, but I put my hand on his chest to stop him.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, concern heavy in his gaze. He reached forward and ran his hand over my thigh.

  “I don’t think we should tell anyone,” I whispered. His comforting hand froze. “It’s not that I’m ashamed or anything like that. I just… this is so new, and I don’t want everyone’s eyes on
us while we figure it out.”

  Derek gave me a brittle smile and leaned forward to kiss me on the forehead. “Of course. Whatever you want.”

  His words said one thing. But when he swung away from me and got out of bed, telling me he was taking a shower without even looking at me, his actions sent a completely different message.

  I jumped up and adjusted the sheet around me before following him down the hall to the bathroom. He’d just turned on the spray when I walked in. I forced my eyes up from his taut ass and focused on the task at hand.

  “Derek, it’s not what you think.” He paused but didn’t face me. I placed one hand on his hip and rested my cheek against his back. “Please don’t be mad.”

  Derek sighed. “I’m not. But I don’t like hiding—it makes it seem like we’re doing something wrong.”

  “I know. I know.” I moved around him, my arm wrapped around his waist. “I just broke up with John. And Gabe is going through a lot. He’s recently engaged to Alara and your boss has been giving him more responsibility. He wants to run the bar, you know?”

  “I do.” Derek’s hands ran up and down my back.

  “I’m not saying we have to wait long. I don’t want that either. Just a couple weeks?”

  He nodded, this time looking more at peace with it. “I’m not very good at saying no to you.”

  “Thank you. I know you’re not happy about it—”

  “If it puts your mind at ease, I don’t mind.” Derek grinned. “Besides… we could have some fun with it.”

  “In what way?”

  We both paused as we heard the front door open and shut. “Hey, girl.”

  My eyes flew from the wide-open door to Derek at the sound of Gabe’s voice as he greeted Rory. I jumped away from Derek, allowing him to lean out the open door. “I’m just hopping in the shower. I’ll be out in a bit.”

  “Sounds good,” my brother said as he rooted around in our kitchen.

  I shut the door and glared at him. “What’s he doing here?” I hissed.

  “I thought you’d be dealing with John today. I needed a distraction.” He shrugged, but I saw a faint pink infuse his cheeks.

  As usual, it didn’t last long. And I didn’t like the smirk that took over once his embarrassment was gone. He slowly knelt before me. “You know the fun part I was talking about?”

  “My brother is out there,” I said, incredulous.

  “That’s what makes it fun.” In one swift movement, he ripped the sheet from my body and lifted my leg over his shoulder.

  “Derek—” I choked on the rest of my words when his tongue ran over the sensitive flesh between my thighs. I stumbled back into the door, biting my lip as he began eating me out like it would be his last meal.

  “Derek?” Gabe called out, suspiciously close to the door.

  Shit.

  Derek pulled back and shouted, “It’s all good.”

  We listened as my brother’s footsteps faded and the TV switched on. I shoved Derek’s shoulder. “I’m going to kill you,” I whispered. But my anger quickly died when he ran his fingers through my folds before plunging inside.

  I reached out, one hand landing on the counter and the other tangling in his hair. He wasn’t gentle or slow; he was merciless.

  “Shit,” I whimpered, finally letting go and grinding myself against his palm.

  “That’s it,” he said softly. His fingers continued to thrust and he brought his mouth to my inner thigh, giving the skin a small bite.

  “I’m close,” I breathed. My words brought Derek to his feet. His erection bobbed between us as he sealed his mouth over one of my nipples.

  Seconds later I was coming on his hand as I sunk my teeth into his shoulder, breathing my moans into his skin. Derek smoothed his hand over my hair and kept whispering to me. Delicious, dirty words that had no business turning me on as much as they did.

  We managed to make it into the shower and clean ourselves without our hands wandering. I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around myself.

  “Aren’t you forgetting something?” he asked softly.

  “Nope.” I reached under the sink and grabbed my lotion. My eyes stayed on his as I spread it down my legs.

  He motioned to his cock. “I can’t exactly go out there like this.”

  I pretended to think about it. “Sure you can. That’s what makes it fun,” I repeated his words from earlier. He glared, but I could see affection underneath.

  “You’re a cruel woman,” he said. He quickly took care of himself and I stared, transfixed. It was a miracle I wasn’t squirming. But when Derek grinned I knew he was aware of the effect that’d had on me.

  He shut off the shower, walked to the door, and opened it a crack.

  “Hey, Gabe?”

  “Yeah?”

  “You’re still in the family room, right?”

  “Yeah…” he said, a little slower.

  “Good. I forgot a towel and unless you want an inferiority complex, I’d stay there for a sec.”

  My brother snorted. “Yeah, right.”

  I swear to God if I hear something about my brother’s… ew. I’ll kill Derek. KILL!

  We quietly left the bathroom, and he lightly smacked my butt as I turned toward my bedroom. My eyes darted down the hall. Gabe could walk by at any moment. A loud explosion sounded on the television—most likely one of his video games.

  Feeling bold, I rushed forward and stood on my tiptoes, sealing our mouths together.

  It was dangerous, but like Derek said, it was fun too. Exciting.

  When I pulled back he was grinning, and all the emotions he was feeling were plain as day. I imagined I looked much the same. Which begged the question…

  How the hell did we think we could hide this?

  After Gabe and Derek spent a couple hours playing video games—all while Derek tried to covertly cut it short—I hid in my room and did the only thing I could without making noise—read.

  Later that night we were relaxing on the couch, Derek’s arm wrapped around my shoulders as he played with the ends of my hair, when it occurred to me that I never found out why Derek’s face was all busted up a couple weeks back.

  “Derek?”

  “Hmmm?” he asked distractedly, having no clue where my thoughts were.

  “Who beat you up?”

  He froze and even though I wanted answers, I was also annoyed that I couldn’t let it go for one night. It had been peaceful and I should have left well enough alone, at least for tonight.

  Derek pulled his arm free and scooted forward on the couch. His arms dangled between his open legs as he stared at the ground. When he turned his head and looked at me I couldn’t read his expression.

  “C’mon.” He stood up and offered me his hand.

  “Where are we going?” I asked. “It’s almost nine o’clock.”

  “I’m giving you an answer.”

  And with that cryptic parting line, he walked to the door and told me he’d be waiting in the car.

  I stared at the empty entranceway for a few seconds before I shook myself out of it. I quickly changed out of my pajamas before joining him.

  We were silent as we drove. It took about fifteen minutes and my eyebrows furrowed as we approached an abandoned building with a half-filled parking lot. When we parked and I opened the door, I winced at the loud noise emanating from inside.

  Derek didn’t say a word. He met me at the front of his car and we started walking. I watched him shove his hands in his pockets and tried not to be worried about the fact that he hadn’t been interested in holding my hand. I wasn’t necessarily one for PDA, but ever since last night, if I was close enough he was touching me.

  We entered and lingered at the back. I stood frozen in shock at the sight before me. Dozens of men—and a few women—crowded around two others who were throwing punches.

  I winced as the shorter fighter took a hard hit in the side. He was wheezing but his opponent came at him again. Blood splattered the
ground when they made contact and everyone cheered.

  My wide eyes moved to Derek’s profile. His jaw was clenched and it looked like it was taking a great deal of effort not to look at me.

  “Derek!”

  Both our heads snapped in the direction of the voice. A very intimidating man walked over and laid his beefy hand on Derek’s shoulder. “How are you?”

  “Fine.” Derek’s normally at ease demeanor was cold and sharp. The guy paid him no attention as his eyes drifted to me.

  “And who’s this?”

  “No one.”

  The guy stared at Derek, all pleasantries gone. “Fine. We need to talk.” And his tone made it clear I wasn’t welcome in that particular conversation.

  Derek looked back at me, weighing his options.

  “I’m okay. Go ahead.”

  He glanced around and the man grew impatient. With a discreet nod, he turned and gave me a quick kiss. “I’ll be right back.”

  I watched him walk away, and within a minute I knew what Derek was afraid I’d encounter.

  “Hey, baby.” Breath reeking of beer and cigarette smoke blew in my face as a random man put his arm around me. Shrugging it off, I threw him a disgusted look before shuffling closer to the ring. To people.

  “I see,” I heard his voice again as he came up behind me. This time he gripped my hips and roughly pulled me back against his hard-on. “You’re one of those uppity bitches, aren’t you? Looking down at—SHIT!”

  My heel made contact with his foot as my elbow reared back into his stomach. I turned around to find him coughing and glaring at me. I tried not to let him see how unnerved I was.

  He straightened and made a move forward. “You fucking—”

  “What?” another man snapped as he stepped around me. The first guy froze, his eyes moving behind us. I followed his stare and found Derek was headed our way, fury etched in his expression.

  “Nothing.” My harasser brought up his hands and quickly backed away.

  “Are you all right?” Derek asked, gently grabbing my elbow as he looked me over.