by S. E. Rose
“Amery, calm down. She needs you to be the strong one and get to her. I have her calmed down. Quite frankly, I’m proud as fuck of her for kicking that dickhead’s ass, or in this case balls. Our little killer is growing up,” he said, and Amery knew he was grinning.
“Still,” he started, calming down a fraction, “I want to kill him.”
“Well, that makes three of us, but killing him won’t do any good,” Nate said.
“Three of us?”
“B-Ray’s here.”
“Oh.”
“Anyhow, I gotta get back to Lyla, drive fast, but safe, and go get our girl,” Nate said.
“On it,” Amery replied as he hung up and tested the power of his sports car’s engine.
He made it in record time, without a ticket and even found nearby street parking. Although he would have double-parked if he had to, he needed to get to Lyla. He needed to know she was alright.
He ran down the street and turned the corner to where the café was. He glanced in the window as he got to the door and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Lyla sitting at a table talking on her cell phone which was plugged into the wall.
He flung open the door and crossed the café. When he reached her, she looked up, and immediately her eyes filled with tears. He took the phone from her hand.
“I’m here. She’ll call you later,” Amery said, and he disconnected the call. Without skipping a beat, he pulled Lyla up from her seat and crushed her against him. He kissed the top of her head and squeezed her. And then he pulled her back and looked down at her face. She was gorgeous. Even with tears streaming down her cheeks, eyes rimmed in red, she was still gorgeous. At that moment, he did the craziest thing. He kissed her. Not a quick peck. Not a gentle kiss, but a full-on, soul-sucking, body-owning, mind-blowing kiss. He didn’t care that they were in a café. He didn’t care that there were other patrons present. He didn’t care about anything except reuniting his soul with Lyla’s and that involved a kiss, this kiss.
When he pulled back, he searched her face. Her eyes were still closed, and they slowly opened as he held her face inches from his. They were wide, but not alarmed, just surprised. Shit, he was surprised by his actions. Not that he hadn’t publicly kissed a woman before, but not like that, not that type of kiss. Hell, had he ever kissed a woman like that.
“You came,” she said after a beat.
“I came,” he echoed.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“You’re welcome,” he replied.
He looked down and saw she had her bag. Thank the fuck that they didn’t have to go get it from that douchebag. He picked it up and held out his hand, she took it, sliding her much smaller one inside his. He grasped it and brought it to his lips and placed a light kiss on the back of it.
“Let’s go,” he said.
“OK,” she agreed, and they headed to the exit.
Lyla was quiet for most of the drive. She stared out the window but allowed him to keep her hand firmly pressed under his on the stick shift. His index finger absentmindedly stroked hers as he drove.
He pulled into his hotel and parked the car and turned to her.
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked.
She shook her head. He kept his hand on hers.
“I’m all ears if you do,” he said.
She nodded, and he led them to his hotel room. He sent his sister a text that they would meet her for breakfast in the morning before heading out.
He turned to Lyla. “Let’s get you a shower. Have you eaten?”
She shook her head. “I’m not hungry,” she mumbled as she began taking off her clothes and headed to the bathroom.
He called room service and had them send up some appetizers, fruit juices, and a bottle of wine. He wanted her to eat but didn’t know what she might be able to stomach.
He heard the shower turn on and he stripped his clothes and followed her inside. She was naked under the water, and he watched her for a moment. She looked defeated, but strong, too.
“Here, let me do that,” he said softly as he began to massage the shampoo into her scalp. She leaned back against him, and he stopped massaging her head and wrapped his arms around her. He just held her like that for a while, not saying anything, not doing anything. It was completely not sexual in any way. He just wanted to hold her, to be there for her.
Slowly, he moved his hands back up and finished lathering her hair. Then he turned her around and washed it out before repeating the process with the conditioner. The hotel’s conditioner and shampoo smelled of lavender and coconut. A weird combination, but he tried to focus not on the smell of them, but on the smell of her, roses. He wasn’t sure, but it seemed to be a smell that was partially from her lotion and partially just her.
He finished washing her hair and proceeded to wash her body. He quickly soaped himself and rinsed before turning off the water and drying her first and then himself. He grabbed one of his t-shirts and held it out for her to slip over her head. It fell down her body and made her look like a child who had tried on a parent’s shirt, but it also was sexy as hell and very un-childlike. He pulled back the covers and opened his arms, and she slid into them like they were puzzle pieces made perfectly to fit together.
He held her for a long time without saying a word. He stroked her hair, and she rested her head on his chest. Her words almost startled him.
“I wasn’t really scared at first. But something told me it was wrong, that something wasn’t right. He said I could stay in his guest room and as I followed him, I just knew something was wrong. But I thought I was being silly and ignored my intuition. He opened the door, and, honestly, I kind of wanted to laugh. I didn’t actually think people had rooms like that. I mean I thought that was sort of made up for movies. I mean I know sex clubs and stuff are real, but I...I don’t know. I knew I was in over my head. So, I started to leave, but he cornered me. The way he looked at me and the things he said he wanted to do. I just knew something was so very wrong. I was scared. But then the strangest thing happened. When he threatened to get me fired, when he threatened my career, I just...snapped. I got really pissed. I wasn’t scared anymore at that point, just really fucking angry. And so, I kneed him and ran. I knew I had to get the fuck out of there. I made it to the steps next door, and I just collapsed. I must have had quite an adrenaline rush because I was shaking and then I started crying. I called the first person who popped into my head. Nate. I know he’s silly, but I also know he always has my back. He didn’t even hesitate. The first thing he did was call you. I don’t know why I didn’t call you first. I guess, I just wasn’t sure if you cared about me like that. Maybe, I was afraid to find out. Maybe, I was afraid that if you didn’t, I’d crumble and...I wasn’t sure how I’d pick back up the pieces. It’s funny how I’ve fallen so fast for you. A month ago, I didn’t even know your name and now I don’t want to be apart from you. I—”
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. She turned quickly and looked wide-eyed at Amery.
“It’s OK. I ordered some food in case you got hungry,” he said. He threw on a shirt and opened the door and wheeled in a cart. He lifted some silver tray tops and revealed an array of appetizers, mozzarella sticks, fruit, and cheese and crackers. Then he took a bottle of juice and brought it over to Lyla.
“At least have a drink,” he encouraged as he opened it and offered her some. She took a small sip and handed it back to him.
He placed it down on the table and turned back to her. He took her face in his hands and held it, admiring it yet again.
“I’ve fallen for you too, Lyla. I know that’s crazy. It doesn’t make any sense to me, but I’ve fallen hard for you, and I don’t want to be apart from you either. I want to wake up with you, and Onyx. I want to fall asleep with you in my arms. I just want to spend time with you. Tonight, when Nate called I wanted to kill Kevin. If I had seen him, I might very well have killed him with my bare hands. I’m, quite frankly, lucky we didn’t cross paths. If
anyone ever hurt you, I’d...I’d...well, it wouldn’t end well. I’m so sorry that happened to you. I had heard things about Kevin. I just honestly didn’t believe they were true. I’m so fucking pissed at myself right now. I should have told you, should have warned you, but I just didn’t believe it. There are always so many rumors about people who are famous. I didn’t think that was real. I feel like that is all my fault.” He stopped and looked at her.
She placed a hand on his cheek and gave him a very small half smile. “Amery, it’s not your fault. Even if you had heard rumors, well, shit, I wouldn’t have believed it. Kevin was totally normal to work with these past few weeks, well, until last weekend. And even then, I would never have expected what happened today. I wouldn’t have expected that in a million, billion, gazillion years. If you had told me that, I would have straight-up laughed at you. I would have thought you were some jealous weirdo, so it’s probably better you didn’t say anything.”
“A jealous weirdo?” he asked.
She nodded. “Yep, jealous weirdo,” she repeated.
He smiled at her. “What do you think I am now?” he inquired.
“Well, not a jealous weirdo, that’s for sure,” she said grinning for the first time that day.
“So, that makes me a...,” he prompted.
She crawled onto his lap, sliding a leg on either side of him. He sat against the headboard and looked at her. “That makes you my hero,” she said with a smile. “You are a legit, knight in shining armor.”
“A knight in shining armor, huh?” he asked with a returning smile.
“Yep. You just rescued me from a dragon, a fire-breathing, crazy, maniacal—”
“Don’t forget kinky, and sexually depraved,” he added.
“Yes, those things too,” she giggled and then she yawned. “I’m so tired.”
“It’s from the adrenaline,” he explained. “You should get some rest, but have a little more juice first, it’ll help.” He offered her the bottle, and she took a few healthy sips and handed it back. He toggled the light switch on the bedside light and pulled her down on his chest.
“Sorry about the food,” she said. “I’m just not hungry.”
“It’s just food. I know it’s a waste and that’s not cool, but you’re safe and that is so much more important than some un-eaten food. Plus, we can snack on cold appetizers if we wake up hungry later,” he offered with a chuckle. She giggled and snuggled closer to him.
“G’night, Amery,” she said.
“G’night, Lyla,” he replied and kissed the top of her head as he gripped her a little tighter. He stayed awake for a long time after that, listening to her breathe. There was something oddly comforting about it, about her in general.
Chapter 27
Lyla
The dream is what woke her. She seldom had dreams like that anymore. She didn’t move a muscle as she absorbed the dream. Really it was more of a memory, a happy memory. It made her smile.
“What’s got you so happy this morning?” Amery’s voice boomed from above her head.
She placed her hands on his chest and her chin on her hands and gazed up at him. She apparently had fallen asleep on him and hadn’t moved an inch the entire night, which was actually a little odd.
“I had a good dream,” she said sleepily.
“Oh?” Amery said. “What about?”
She sat up and gazed down at him. Even in his “just woke up” sleepy phase, he was a sight for sore eyes. He was beautiful. She memorized his face as she gazed into his blue eyes. She’d always wanted blue eyes. But lately, she was glad she had Gran Mill’s nearly violet ones, the same as her father. The color was unusual, but she wouldn’t trade it. It was another connection she shared with these two family members and that meant the world to her.
“Do you ever remember a conversation, but you don’t really remember the words, just the feelings?” she asked.
He pushed himself up a bit, so they were eye to eye as she spoke. “I’m not sure what you mean,” he said slowly.
“I have a dream sometimes. I haven’t had it in a long time, but, well, it’s not really a dream as much as it is a memory. The last memory I have of my family, I mean my parents and my brother. We had pancakes that morning. I always liked cartoon-character-shaped pancakes with chocolate chips, and Michael always liked animal-shaped pancakes with bananas. There is nothing remotely special about that breakfast. I don’t remember what we talked about at all. I wish I did because it was the last real conversation we all had, but as much as I try, I just don’t remember. Anyhow, I’ve long given up on that. What I do remember though, is how happy I felt, how loved, how just blissful I was. So, the words, I guess, don’t really matter, but the feelings, the emotions, those do. This is going to sound really silly and strange, but I’ve only had that dream in recent years when I really needed to feel those things, usually after a bad day or being upset about something. I like to think that it’s my family’s way of sending me that love from wherever they are now. I like to think they still are part of my life and that love still exists. I know it’s silly, but—”
Amery put a finger to her lips. “That’s not silly, Lyla. Not at all. I think it’s great how you have such a good memory of them and that you dream about it when you need it. And who the hell am I to say it isn’t a way for them to let you know they are somewhere thinking of you. I’m glad you have that memory,” he said, and he cupped her face in his hands. “I want to give you more happy memories. I want to get to know this ass-kicking, PR phenom that’s sitting on my lap right now. And I want to spend as much time with her as humanly possible.”
Lyla’s eyes welled. “Really?” she asked.
He nodded. “Is that OK?”
She nodded.
“How about we start with going to breakfast with my little sister, Lizzie, who I’m pretty sure is the one blowing up my phone right now,” he said with a laugh as he picked up the phone and typed a reply.
“I’d love to meet your sister,” Lyla said with a grin. It was amazing how much better she felt today. She thought she’d wake up feeling horrible. That she would regret everything that had happened the day before, particularly that part where she quit, but she didn’t feel bad about it. She actually felt very liberated.
“Let’s get a shower,” Amery said as he stood while holding Lyla.
“OK,” she replied suddenly feeling like she wanted more than a shower. She tightened her grip on Amery as he walked them to the bathroom. He glanced down at her and smirked.
“Need something?” he asked.
“Maybe,” she answered as she ground herself against him. He was already erect. He quirked an eyebrow and she giggled.
He set her on the counter and pulled off the t-shirt he had lent her the night before. She stood up and removed her underwear. He removed his clothing and he groaned.
“I didn’t bring anything with me,” he said as he stared at her. They stood staring at each other for a beat.
She was confused for a split second and then realized what he meant. No condoms. She had never had sex without a condom before. Never even contemplated it. She was on the pill, had been for years, but she’d never used it for birth control.
“It’s OK,” she said, the words leaving her mouth as her brain caught up with her mouth. Had she really just agreed to unprotected sex with a man who had a past filled with supermodels? But yet, she didn’t feel like it was a bad thing. She didn’t think Amery would harm her if anything he had proven he would protect her.
“Are you sure?” Amery asked.
She slowly nodded. “I’m on the pill, and I definitely don’t have any diseases,” she said.
He laughed. “Well, I, too, am disease-free,” he said smiling. She realized when he said it, how stupid it had sounded when those words had left her mouth.
“I mean I’m clean,” she corrected herself.
“That I don’t doubt,” he said. “I am too. I know you might find this hard to believe, but I haven’t b
een with anyone for a while now, just you.”
Her eyes widened. “Really?”
“Yes, really,” he answered. He caressed her cheek, and she leaned into his hand. She realized just how large his hands were. Her face fit neatly in his hand. She realized that he could easily hurt her, physically and emotionally, but he wouldn’t, something in her gut told her that. Something told her, she could trust him.
“Come here,” he said picking her up, and she wrapped her arms around his neck once more. He carried them back to the bed. “If we’re going to do this, I want to do it right.”
He laid her down on the bed and crawled up over her. She took in his sheer size next to her smaller one for the first time. She knew she was little, always had been and she knew Amery was anything but little. However, this was the first time she really, truly noted their size difference. She traced the muscles on his arms, his chest, and down to his abdomen. Then, she traced further down until she gripped his erection in her hand. He felt warm and solid, and she wanted him inside her so badly. She squirmed against him, trying to spread her legs farther and make room for him to settle there.
“Wait,” he commanded, and she froze. “I want you wet, angel, very wet.”
She whimpered at his words as he leaned down and kissed her. He followed the planes of her face as he kissed his way down to her breasts, and then all the way down to where she ached for his touch. She could feel his breath against her, and she wanted his tongue there. As though he could read her thoughts, he ran his tongue over her sex and flicked at her clit before sucking on it. She opened her mouth in a silent cry as she felt his finger push inside of her. Her eyes closed as she reveled in the sensations. All her senses focused on that one small area of her body and the amazing things he was doing to it.
Just as she was about to come, she felt his finger pull out and then his cock was there, slowly pushing into her. Her eyes flew open and were greeted by his heavily hooded ones. They watched one another as he seated himself fully inside her. They both released a breath they had been holding when he stilled. She felt so full of him, but it wasn’t until he began to pull out of her and push back in that she felt the difference of sex without the condom. His erection was so slick from her, it glided in and out so much easier. She could feel every vein, every line of him as he filled her. The feeling was exquisite. He let out a groan as he sank back in.