Stupid Cupid

by Liz Hunter, Aka Mennen, Phyllis Campbell

  As she rinsed her plate at the sink, he pushed away from the table and moved to her, stopping mere inches in back of her. Kenya’s body stilled, as did her breathing. He touched her wavy, chestnut hair, stroking his hand down the length, leaving it on the small of her back where her hair ended.

  “I missed you today,” he mumbled as his other hand caressed her arm.

  She shivered. “Eli, I … we … we shouldn’t do this.”

  “Do what? We’re not doing anything.” He slid his hand from her back and around her waist, pulling her body against him.

  “No, but if you keep this up, we’ll probably be doing something soon.”

  He found her fingers with his other hand and linked them. “And the idea doesn’t tempt you?” He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles.

  “It’s not that.”

  “Then what is it?” He circled his other hand around her waist and on her tight stomach where the skin showed.

  “This is wrong,” she answered deeply.

  He moved his hand underneath her shirt. Her body remained still until he cupped her breast, then she melted against him. His other hand released her fingers in order to hold her up.

  He squeezed her breast lightly, her nipple hardening beneath her bra. “This doesn’t feel wrong to me.”

  She let out a small gasp. “You’re missing the point.”

  He lightly pinched her nipple. “No, the point is right here, and I don’t plan on missing it tonight.”

  Her hand came up to her breast, but she didn’t pull it away. Just the opposite. She helped him to squeeze her again.

  “Oh, Kenya,” he muttered as he kissed her hair. “I wanted to do this to you last night.”

  “Me, too.”

  “You’re perfect for my hands and mouth.” He brushed his fingers over her nipple.

  A cute little gasp came from her throat and she let her head fall back to rest on his shoulder.

  “I think you feel wonderful, too.” She snuggled her backside against his growing arousal.

  A deep groan tore from his throat as he slid his hand down the front of her body to the junction of her legs and pushed his fingers against the heat forming in her pants. While one of her hands helped him play with her breasts, her other hand held his fingers against her. The thrill was too much, and he wanted more. He nibbled on her ear and she shivered again.

  “Kenya, is your bed bigger than mine?”

  “Yes.”

  “I want to take you there.”

  “Yes.”

  She swung around in his arms and kissed his mouth hard. He met her demanding kiss as he lifted her and carried her to her bedroom, grabbing the small plastic bag on the way. A lamp beside her bed was on, so he didn’t bother with more lights. He set her on the bed, and quickly ripped off his shirt. Before he could get to his pants, her hands were there, helping.

  Within seconds, she’d removed his jeans then yanked on the elastic of his boxer shorts. He stopped her hands before they came off.

  “Whoa, slow down, my sweet. We’ve got all night.”

  Her attention was pulled to the mark on his upper left thigh. She ran her finger over it. “What’s this?”

  “A birthmark.”

  “Looks good on you.”

  He grinned and pulled her up. “I want to see if your birthday suit looks good on you, too.”

  She remained still and let him remove her clothes. He took his time, enjoying seeing each section of her body exposed. When she stood in front of him wearing nothing but her white laced panties and matching bra, his hunger grew.

  He cupped her perfect breasts and she helped him take off her bra. He stroked her nipples and loved the way they hardened, which in turn made his arousal heavy. When she stepped back and lay on the bed, he followed. As he lay beside her, she placed his hands on her breasts. He cupped them, readying them for his mouth.

  “You’re perfect,” he mumbled before bending his head and sucking a point inside his mouth.

  She moaned and arched, giving him more. He swirled his tongue around the beaded texture, then sucked harder. She cried out, but held his head to her.

  He moved on top, pressing his stiffness between her legs. With his aide, she removed his boxer shorts before he latched his mouth back to her breast.

  She wiggled beneath him, turning him on that much more. He tore his mouth away from her breasts and trailed his kisses down her stomach to her white panties. He breathed against the very part he couldn’t wait to devour, and she squirmed. She moved her hand near his mouth, touching herself over her panties. He nipped at her finger then sucked it into his mouth. When she pulled it out, she slid her finger underneath the silky material.

  He latched his teeth on the edge and pulled them down her slender legs. He couldn’t believe how incredibly sexy she was—and to think she was all his.

  He kissed her stomach again then over one hip. Trailing his fingers near hers, he let her take them and lead them to the spot he couldn’t wait to touch again. She pushed his fingers inside her and groaned. He added another finger then slid them in and out of her wetness.

  She cried out, tossing her head on the pillow. He withdrew just enough to stick his fingers in her again, stroking her.

  “Oh, Eli.”

  Laying her head back on the bed, she closed her eyes. God, she was beautiful, and so damn sexy.

  Soon she was writhing on the bed, her hips bucking wildly. He couldn’t take any more pleasurable torture. He had to be inside her. Now. He jumped off the bed to retrieve the condom and placed it over his swollen length.

  Her gaze remained on him, and she welcomed him back on top of her with open arms. When he slid inside of her wet body, he groaned. He moved his hips with hers, and the rhythm began to build again. He bent his head and captured her breast as he pushed himself inside. She wrapped her legs around his waist, making him go deeper.

  Soon, she cried out and repeated his name. He, too, rejoiced in the erotic feeling of joining with her. It surprised him how well they fit together, but then, he’d felt that way about her since their first meeting.

  It wasn’t long before he lost control. With one last push, he released himself, finally able to reach that heavenly place. The place he wanted Kenya to take him to again. She’d made him feel things he’d only dreamt of feeling. She made him laugh and sing, want to hold her in his arms and never let go.

  They crawled under the sheets and he gathered her back in his arms. She snuggled against him and within minutes, she was asleep. This would be the first night in many that he’d be able to sleep comfortably. He only hoped this week could go on forever.

  Kenya lazily extended her arms over her head and smiled, knowing her grin stretched from ear-to-ear. With a sigh, she snuggled back into the mattress, pulling the blankets over her naked chest. Eli had climbed out of bed an hour ago, kissing her forehead before leaving the room. She’d been too tired to make him stay. After all, they’d made love four more times during the night. His passionate lovemaking had tuckered her right out.

  Perhaps Cupid knew what he was doing after all. A giggle bubbled up from her throat. Eli definitely knew how to make her body come alive. He knew what buttons to push, and what spots to lick. Damn, he was good! Even now, her body tingled from remembrance, and she wanted more.

  She yawned and stretched a final time before climbing out of bed and padding to the bathroom to take a shower. Work had suffered because of her new houseguest, and she really needed to get back to her shop. George was probably livid by now.

  When the hot water sprayed on her body, she closed her eyes and relaxed to the pounding of the massage dial on the showerhead. Although she was eager to return to work, she knew Eli would be on her mind all day. How could he not? He’d set her body on fire and left her breathless. Her fiancé had never done that.

  Terrel.

  She sighed heavily and leaned her head against the wall. What was she going to do about Terrel? Over the past few months, her love f
or him had evaporated, but she’d refused to believe it was happening. Apparently, her heart had known she didn’t love him any longer. She wouldn’t have been so willing to give herself to another man any other way. She’d betrayed Terrel’s trust … but hadn’t he been lying to her since she’d met him?

  Now she had to find a way to tell him the wedding was off. Yet should she wait? If Eli needed more information on Terrel, she might be the only way he could get it.

  When an idea sprang to mind, she straightened and opened her eyes. Terrel might have something in his office that would be beneficial to Eli’s father’s case. Only she could get it for him. So far, Eli had proved he was the man telling the truth. Not Terrel. If Eli was also correct in thinking Terrel was corrupt, she couldn’t stand aside and not help. If Joshua Montgomery was the rightful heir to Montgomery Aisle, she had to do something to get him out of the mental hospital.

  She hurried with her shower and quickly dressed in a pair of tan slacks and a coffee colored long-sleeved blouse. While buttoning up the front with one hand, she flipped through her day planner with the other. Had she written anything about Terrel’s agenda?

  “Damn.” She slammed the book closed. She hadn’t. She hurried over to the phone and called his secretary. After a short chat with Betty, Kenya grinned, her mind turning a million times over. She should sneak into his office while he was at one of his meetings. Her heart hammered from the mere thought. She’d never done anything devious in her life. Could she actually do it?

  She walked into the bathroom to style her hair. As she used the blow dryer, she mapped out the plan in her mind. She’d wait until Betty went to lunch—usually around noon. The first place Kenya would look in Terrel’s office would be his important files. He usually had them under lock and key, but she knew where he kept the extra keys.

  What was she searching for? Invoices? Bills? Something that showed he was paying the institution where Joshua stayed. But where was it? She’d forgotten to ask Eli that minor detail. In fact, she hadn’t asked Eli a lot of things. Funny she’d taken his word so easily about being a future-man.

  She laughed and turned off the blow dryer. Did she really believe he was from the future? Deep down inside she didn’t, yet how else would he know everything he’d proved to her yesterday? How else would he know the future if he hadn’t been there? She’d read her father’s time-travel book right after it was published. His book did make sense—if time travel were really possible.

  She let out a frustrated breath and shook her head. Time-travel was too damn mind-boggling.

  It only took her a few minutes to apply her make-up. Pulling a brush through her hair only took a moment, too. Once again, she didn’t do anything fancy to it. Didn’t have time. Or was it because Eli liked it down?

  Eli.

  She smiled again. There was no way she’d be able to take the giddiness out of her. For the next few days, she’d live life to the fullest, and if that meant enjoying a sexual relationship with a very handsome and sexy man, then she’d do it. For several years now, she’d lived by her day planner. Everything she did had a perfect schedule. Now, she wanted to do things by the seat of her pants as if tomorrow were her last day.

  Her smile gradually weakened. Within a few days, Eli would be gone. He’d go back to wherever he’d been. A pain shot through her heart. It hadn’t taken him long to come into her heart. Could she live without him? Did she have a choice?

  Seven

  The lights were out. Good sign.

  On shaky legs, Kenya crept toward Terrel’s office, listening for any indication she might have company. She’d tried to come this afternoon, but some of the managers were in Terrel’s office for a meeting, which ruined her plans. The lobby remained silent, so she continued her pursuit.

  She reached the door to Terrel’s office and stopped. Placing her ear against the door, she listened for any sign of movement. Nothing. She released a sigh.

  When she pulled her keys out of her purse, her hand shook as she tried to slide the silver key into the hole. She cursed her unsteady body. If she didn’t know better, she’d think the wild hammering of her heart could be heard three floors away.

  Taking control, she unlocked the door and walked inside. She closed the door, trying not to make a sound. Afraid turning on the light would only draw attention; she pulled a mini key-chain flashlight out of her purse and clicked it on. In daylight, the office was familiar, but in the dark was a different story.

  On tiptoes, she crept over to his file cabinet. Reaching behind, she felt for the extra set of keys. When her fingers brushed across them, she sighed.

  So far, so good.

  This lock was harder to open, mainly because her hands were shaking worse than before. Calm down, Kenya. She took a deep breath and tried again. This time the key slid in and unlocked the cabinet.

  What was she doing? It was one thing to distrust Terrel, but another to actually sneak around in his office to collect information for the man she was beginning to fall in love with.

  She shook her head. This wasn’t like her at all. What had Eli done to her heart to make her act completely different and risk jail time?

  But, she must. An inner force guided her, making her feel more alive than ever before. The newfound feeling regenerated her, revived her—and scared the hell out of her. Would she get caught and handcuffed? Her business would certainly suffer. Of course, she could always design new prison jumpsuits.

  She groaned and rubbed her forehead.

  Holding the small flashlight between her teeth, she flipped through the files in the first drawer. Nothing out of the ordinary, so she moved to the next one down. Once again, she came up empty. The third drawer held nothing exciting, so she moved to the fourth. This drawer was harder to pull out, and she realized something was stuck. She yanked harder, and when the drawer gave way she nearly fell back. This particular drawer was only half-filled with files and the other half-stacked with Newsweek Magazines.

  In a different drawer, she flipped through the files and came across the name of a hospital. St. Benedict’s. Could this be where they held Joshua prisoner? Her heart leaped with hope.

  Because of her shaky hands, it was hard to read the label, and now as her teeth chattered, the flashlight slipped. She took it out of her mouth and focused on the file as she pulled it out and opened it. Invoices. She glanced over at the figure column. One hundred thousand dollars? She raised her eyebrows in suspicion as she turned over the invoices. They dated back for five years.

  Five years.

  This had to be what she was looking for.

  A noise from out in the lobby stopped her. She froze, except for her heart beating out of control. Somebody was here. She was going to get caught. Prison—and orange jumpsuits were just around the corner.

  She closed the file and slipped it in her jacket, pushing the drawer closed with her foot as gently as she could. She turned off the flashlight then searched the darkness for someplace to hide. The only place was underneath Terrel’s desk. She was too far away to hide in his adjoining bathroom.

  Without another thought, she fell to her knees and scooted under his desk. A stream of light from the lobby came through, the door slowly opening. Someone wearing a pair of black shoes stood just outside the office. She held her breath, praying whoever it was couldn’t know she was there.

  The feet came closer to the desk.

  “Kenya, are you here? It’s me, Eli.”

  She sighed with relief and crawled out. “Good hell, Eli. You scared me to death.”

  He chuckled as he grasped her hand and pulled her to her feet. “I hadn’t planned on you being here.”

  She propped her hands on her hips. “I have more right to be here than you. And what if Terrel saw you? You know how much you resemble your father.”

  “Yes, I know, but—”

  “There are no buts. You should have stayed home.”

  He circled his arms around her and pulled her against his chest. A grin stole across
his face. “Thank you for caring. And thank you for being on the same brain-waves.” He shrugged. “I had no idea you’d search through his office, too.”

  She rested her face on his chest. “I want to help your father. I’m beginning to realize exactly what type of person Terrel is, and he’s not the kind of person that should be running a multi-million dollar company.”

  “No, he’s not.” He kissed the top of her head. “Did you find anything?”

  She looked up at him. “Yes. It’s under my jacket. Let’s hurry and get home and I’ll show you what I found.”

  She pulled away and turned toward the door, but he grabbed her arm to stop her. “Wait, Kenya. Do you have something that Terrel might miss if it’s gone?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “What do you have?”

  “A file.”

  He pulled her to the copy machine against the far wall. “Let’s make copies. I don’t want to alert Terrel just in case he finds the folder missing.”

  She exhaled a rush of air. “I never thought about that.” She handed over the manila folder.

  “Why don’t you stand by the door and be our lookout, and I’ll make the copies.”

  Although it seemed forever, while her heart beat a million miles a minute, Eli finally finished and they were able to walk out of the office.

  Once inside the car, he grabbed her hand and squeezed. “You’ll never guess who I talked to today.”

  “Who?”

  “I found Adam and Joshua’s driver. Lamont Waters.”

  She gasped and took a quick glance his way. “And he’s still alive?”

  “He’s been at a retirement home for five years. Apparently, Lamont was the one who drove Joshua to the mental hospital. Afterwards, Terrel and Lisa gave Lamont a choice. He could either die a slow, painful death, or be holed away for the rest of his life in an old folks home, as long as he forgot everything that happened.”

  She cringed. “Poor man.”

  He held up a min-tape recorder. “And it’s all right here on tape.”