by Kar, Alla
“Okay, guys,” Mrs. Jacks says. “Let’s say grace. Trent it’s your turn.”
He groans. “Ah, come on, ma. Layla is the guest, she should have to say it.”
Taylor reaches over and slaps the back of his head. “Do what she tells you to, Trent.”
He mumbles something before bowing his head and leading us in a grace. It’s short, sweet and to the point. He is already piling his plate up when I look up. I hold back a smile. He is just like his brother.
After our plates are filled up, I start in on mine. Everything tastes like Heaven. Mom never got a chance to teach me how to cook, so I learned from my grandma. Her cooking was great, but it wasn’t as good as Mom’s. Mom loved to cook, where Grandma did it because her husband was hungry and she had a newly adopted granddaughter she had to feed.
“So, Layla, where do your mother and father live? Where did you grow up?”
Taylor coughs, spitting out some of his food. His mom furrows her brow at me but continues to wait for me to respond.
“Mom--,”
“No, Taylor, it’s fine. My parents passed away when I was young. I grew up with my grandparents in Dallas.”
Mrs. Jacks’ face is white. “I’m sorry, sweetie. I had no idea.”
I shrug. “It’s a fair question.”
She gives me a small smile and continues eating. “I’m so glad you two were able to come home for the weekend. I’ve missed Taylor these last few.”
Amy snickers behind her fork. “I’m sure Layla has kept Taylor very busy.”
Did she really just say that? My face is burning from the glares around the table. Trent is on the verge of laughing, but is holding it in very well.
“You watch your mouth, Amy,” Mrs. Jacks snaps.
Amy rolls her eyes and starts to pick at her food. Taylor is glaring at her from across the table, but she never looks up. “Anyway,” Taylor drags out. “I’ve been busy with school and work.”
Taylor stares at Amy as he says this and squeezes my thigh underneath the table.
“Oh, Taylor,” Mrs. Jacks says, waving her fork at him. “You better not be fighting again. You know I don’t like that. You need to take better care of yourself, you’re better than that.”
Taylor’s teeth grind together, and I hear it from beside him. I want to say that Taylor is an amazing fighter, but by the way Amy and Trent are giving each other sly looks, I know I need to keep my mouth shut. “I am careful, and I make great money that way. I’m able to pay my bills, and I’ve already started paying off my student loans.”
His mother shakes her head quickly, tears building up in the corner of her eyes. “That is exactly how he got started, and I don’t want you ending up like him.”
The entire table is quiet. I mean man-with-a-chainsaw-outside-the-closet-door- quiet. The basset hound howling from the backyard is the only thing that breaks the silence. “I’m not going to end up like him, Momma,” Taylor says. His voice is low, calm and I wonder where his anger went. “I promise.”
His mom looks back down at her plate. “Who is ready for dessert?”
***
Taylor
I have to get out. I don’t tell Layla where we’re going, only lead her toward my Hummer. She doesn’t know the half of my dad. She couldn’t possibly know, because I don’t tell her. I don’t want her to know anything else about him, or have a way to compare myself to him. Now, because of Mom, I’ll have to tell her.
“Where are we going?” Layla asks. I glance over at her. She looks so innocent, even though I know she isn’t, in my old high school hoodie. Not to mention, her long as hell, tanned legs, beneath those soffee shorts. Her blonde hair is slightly curly hanging down to her breast, and I fight the urge to take in in-between my fingers.
“A spot I haven’t been to in a really long time.”
She huffs and mumbles something underneath her breath. I hold back a laugh and watch as she stares out of the window. “Are you going to tell me?”
I know good and damned well what she means. But I play dumb anyway. “Tell you what?”
She looks over at me, her blue eyes narrowed. “You know what, Taylor.”
“Layla, I have things in my past that--,”
She turns toward me, crossing her arms over her chest. “Oh, don’t give me that shit. You know all of my fucked up life. The least you could do is tell me something in yours, Taylor.”
I sigh and rub my hands through my hair. It’s starting to get long, but I notice that Layla likes it that way. So, I’m debating keeping it. “I’ll tell you in a bit. We’re here, let’s go.”
She looks out the window and her face softens. I use to come to this lake with my mom when I was younger. Before my dad turned into a complete asshole.
“God, it’s really pretty out here,” Layla says. I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her toward me.
“Follow me, there is a dock a little ways down from here.” She nods and snuggles into my side. She smells like my house, and my dick jumps in my shorts thinking about it.
“So, about your dad…”she trails off.
Total cock-blocker. Anything to do with my dad. I scoff and rub my hand against the back of my neck. “My dad was a fighter. He fought through college all the way up until I was around eight. He taught me how to defend myself and it came back to bite him in the ass. After I realized he was beating my mom up, I…” I help Layla onto the dock “I just…I just couldn’t stop. I hit him as hard as I could over and over. God, my mom’s face had been so bloody.”
“Oh, Taylor. I’m – I’m so sorry.”
I wipe a tear away from her eyes. “It’s okay. He is still in jail and far away from us.”
Layla’s brows furrow. “I didn’t think men got that many years for beating his family. I saw it on stupid laws dot com.”
“Well, he’d already been in trouble with drugs and other violations. He was on parole and violated it. So, he got ten years for other charges.”
Layla squeezes her eyes shut and presses her head into the crook of my neck. “Well, I’m glad he is gone, and I don’t think you’re like him. I think you’re just good at something he was good at. Like me and my dad.”
I can’t help but smile. I’ve never felt any kind of attachment to a girl like I do with Layla. It’s only been a couple of months since I’ve known her, and I know that I love her. I haven’t said it, but I’ve been thinking about it for the last few days. Thinking about anything happening to her makes me want to lose my mind. I can’t lose her. No, I won’t.
I’ve never said I love you to anyone outside of my family. Well, my trainer, but I’ve known him since I was ten. Layla makes a low groan and snuggles into my side as much as she can. The skin of her legs is soft, making my dick protest from being restrained in my shorts.
I clear my throat and pull her until she is looking straight at me. “I wanted to talk to you about something. I’m not too good at this kind of stuff, so please bear with me.” Layla raises her eyebrows. “I’m just going to say it. Layla, I love you.”
Her mouth drops open. I swear I see a fly zoom in and out. I reach up and push her jaw back toward her upper lip. She smiles and a loud laugh escapes her lips. After a few minutes of laughing in my face, which I won’t take offense to, she says, “You love me, Taylor?” It is more of a question than a statement.
I grin, I can’t help it, then push her against the wooden dock beneath us. “I do, love you.”
Her breathing starts to come in deeper gasps. That happens when she is mad as hell, or horny. I’m guessing the latter. A smile dangles on her lips. “I love you, too,” she says. A burst of warmth wraps around me. I know she loves me back, but hearing it is something else entirely.
Unable to control the urge in my pants, I bend down and take her lips in mine. It’s a kiss like our first, when she was sprawled out on my pool table, tasting me for the first time. Growling, I grip her hips and position myself between her legs. She invites me in, wrapping her long, tanned legs arou
nd my waist.
“You’re so fucking beautiful, Layla,” I whisper into her ear.
A sigh escapes her lips and she reaches for my shirt. Her open palms are warm sliding against my torso. I sit up and pull my shirt all the way off. It’s a little chilly out tonight, and I wish I would have thought about that. I didn’t expect to get any so I didn’t think to bring a blanket. Sliding my high school sweatshirt off of her and her thin white T-shirt that is clinging to her breasts, I toss them to the side. I don’t stop until she is completely naked beneath me. Her smooth skin is iridescent in the light of the moonbeams shining down on her. The flawlessness of his skin in the moonbeams, is unreal. I’ve never met anyone more perfect for me. The blue in her eyes are bright tonight, which happens when she is happy. Covering her body with my own, I tease the inside of her thighs until she is shaking with want beneath me. She feels warm around my fingers, rocking her hips against my hand. I can’t imagine anything better in my life.
“That feel good?” I whisper.
Her full lips come together to make an O. “Yes,” she grunts out. “More. Please, more.”
I’m a man that gives his lady what she wants. I slide into her, feeling her warm, tightness around me. “Jesus,” I groan. Slowly, I slide back out of her, only to slide back in. Her back is arched, and her perfect round tits are bouncing with her movement, calling my name. Taking one nipple in my mouth, I bite down softly. She groans, then intertwines her fingers into my hair. “You’re so wet, baby, come for me.”
She makes a low groaning sound in her throat and brings her finger down to her clit. I grab her wrist stopping her. “Don’t touch what’s mine. Let me take care of you, baby.”
Her eyes grow wide, but she drops her hand and bites her lip, waiting on me to fulfill my duty. Pressing my fingertip against her clit, I move slow circles around her making her call out my name. Her fucking moaning is going to send me over the edge.
I move slower, making sure she feels every inch of me in her. She grips me tighter, grinding against my hip. After a few seconds she releases and comes apart in front of me. It’s so raw, emotional and hot as hell. Despite the chilly air, she is sweating, her body glistening in the moonlight. She is smiling up at me, a relaxation I haven’t seen on her face in weeks. Digging deep a few more times, I come undone inside her. I pull her to her side and hold her close to me. I know that I can’t always be with her, but I swear I’ll always keep her safe.
Chapter Eight
Taylor
My bed has never felt this comfortable. Not even during high school when I slept in it every day. Layla is curled up beside me, her bare ass touching my rock hard dick. I hope she doesn’t feel it, but I can’t help it. She feels so good beside me. This is how it should be. Always.
Amy slept at a friend’s house last night, which I couldn’t be more excited about. It sucks having her act like a little bitchy brat. She’s going through one of those stages, at least that’s what Mom says. Trent is out with a few of his friends, and Mom is at work. Layla and I are lying naked in my old bed. Her breathing has started to quicken so I figure she is awake.
“You awake?” she finally asks.
I smile into her hair and nod. “I am and we’re all alone in this big ole house.”
I can see the side of her mouth, which twitches up. “I do say that I think you have a sex addiction problem, Taylor.”
I press my hand to my chest and fake a sob. “I’m sorry you had to find out this way, I’ve been going to sex addiction classes. I’ve met some very nice girls--,”
She throws the pillow at my face but I block it with my arm. A loud laugh echoes through my room and it feels nice that it’s Layla’s.
“So, what’s the plan for today?” she asks.
I’ve been planning to take Layla around my neighborhood for the last two weeks, to show her where I grew up. “I’ve got the entire day planned. Get up, get dressed and we’ll catch something to eat first.”
She sits up. “You’re bossy when you’re at home.”
The sheet falls from her chest, and I’m momentarily distracted. “And very easily distracted,” I say, moving my mouth toward her nipple.
She giggles, gets up and runs to the bathroom.
***
Layla really needs to cover her tits up. I swear she has nothing in her closet that doesn’t make her look ridiculously hot. Her V-neck T-shirt is bright red, and makes her tanned skin look amazing. “Quit looking at my boobs, Taylor,” she says, right before a fry hits me in the nose.
“Sorry, easily distracted, remember.”
She rolls her eyes and takes a bite out of our blooming onion. She had never had one before so we had to get one. “These things will make you cream your panties,” she says.
She wonders why I’m so horny all of the time, because she says shit like that. I raise an eyebrow. “Would you like for me to check and make sure you’re okay down there.”
She narrows her eyes but laughs. “You use to take your high school girlfriends here?”
I shrug. “Everyone comes here. It’s just the small little dinner that’s great and everyone loves. They have the best milkshakes. Want one?”
She pats her stomach. “I’m not sure I can manage to get an entire one down by myself.”
I flag the waitress down. “We’ll have one chocolate milkshake to split.” She winks at me and disappears behind the counter. She’s worked here since I was little.
“This is great to get away for the weekend. I’m glad I’m here with you, I needed a break from my troublesome life.”
I frown and reach for her hand across the table. She thinks she is troublesome? None of this is her fault. She can’t help what her father did and that scorpion guy is after her. Just like I can’t help what my father did. “Layla, you’re not troublesome. I’m happy to have you, and I love you.”
I see her overanalyzing everything but she finally smiles and it reaches both ears. “I love you, too.”
I lean over the table and take her soft lips in mine. If this table wasn’t between us, I’d put her on my lap and have my way with her. “Well, isn’t this a sight for sore eyes,” I hear.
Pulling back, I glance up, and my entire body lights fire. Damon is standing in front of our table, smile plastered onto his idiotic face. Why in the fucking fuck is he here?
“Damon, what are you doing down this way?” Layla breaks the silence. I see her send me a warning glance, begging me not to make a scene.
How could I not? He is here of all the fucking places in the world. Plus, he doesn’t even live here. “My dad recently moved here, and I am just checking out the town.”
He glances down at me, and I swear I see him holding back a laugh. “That’s what we’re doing today. Taylor is taking me around town, he grew up here.”
Damon barely acknowledges me and continues to look at Layla. If he glances down her shirt one more time I’m going to knock him the fuck out. “Yeah, so it was good seeing you,” I blurt out. I want nothing more than for him to leave. Something isn’t right about this guy, he is always around. Too much. It was understandable at first, now it’s riding my last fucking nerve.
Damon’s nose flares, but he keeps that fake smile on his face anyway. “Good seeing you two, too. I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind if I tag along. My dad is out on business until tonight, and I’m stuck here by myself.”
“Hell fucking--,”
“Of course,” Layla cuts me off mid-sentence. “We don’t mind.” She is staring at me, jaw clenched, eyes wide. I can see her pleading me with her eyes. Ah, damn it…
Damon laughs. “Thanks, Lay. I hope I’m not too much of a bother. I just don’t feel like staying in the house all day alone.”
Lay? Did he fucking call her Lay? My fingers ball up into a fist beneath the table. This is not fucking happening. “So, did you get everything figured out with that guy? Did you guys ever find out who he was?”
What? Layla frowns, glances over at me and then shakes he
r head. He was there with her? When? Why? “What the fuck is he talking about?”
Layla turns toward me. “When I went to my apartment Damon was there, he lives there.”
Of course he does. I grip my jeans and grit my teeth to keep from launching across the table. “Okay,” I say as calmly as I can.
Layla sighs. “I’ve got to use the bathroom before we leave.” She gets up and walks toward the back. I watch until I can’t see her anymore. I’m sure she doesn’t really have to go, she’s making a run for it. I can’t say I blame her.
Damon is staring at me when I turn back around. His eyes are intense and his demeanor different than before. “You got something you want to say to me?” I ask, swallowing the last of our milkshake.
A mischievous, dark smile rises up the corner of his mouth. I want to smack the fucking dirt bag’s head into the table. “No, sir. Just thankful you’re letting me tag along today.”
I toss forty dollars on the table, stand to leave and don’t stop until I’m outside of the diner. I hear the bell ring and watch the street until I know Damon is standing behind me. It takes every ounce of self-control, which I’m lacking anyway, not to knock the fuck out of Damon.
I turn and come face-to-face with the dirt bag. He narrows his eyes and glances at me, jaw clenched. “Listen to me. I won’t say this more than once. You stay away from Layla after today, or you’ll be picking your teeth up off the fucking pavement. Do you hear me?”
“You think I’m scared of you, don’t you?”
My fists are aching from clenching them so tight. “You might not be scared now, but when you’re bleeding internally you will be. I know you’re hiding something and when I find out you better pray that I don’t find you.”
He scoffs, shrugs his shoulders and gives me a fake smile. “You won’t find out anything.”
The bell rings on the door of the diner. Layla walks out, pushes her arm through mine. “Where to, guys?”
I glance down at her. “The lake.”