Club Thrive: Predator

by Alison Mello

  When the pizza finally arrives, I grab it from the kid, sign the slip, and send him on his way. Ryker is already at the table with a glass of milk, ready to eat. I put a plate down in front of him with a huge slice of cheese pizza.

  “Thank you, Mikey.”

  “You’re welcome, little man.” Everyone else is in the pantry-style kitchen grabbing food, so we can all sit to eat.

  He shoves a huge bite of pizza into his mouth, like he’s in a big hurry to eat. “Ryker, slow down or you’ll choke,” Shelly scolds him.

  “But you said we could play a game when I was done.”

  “If you choke, you will end up sick and won’t be able to play anything. Now eat properly.”

  After dinner Shelly and I clean up the kitchen while everyone else sets up a game of Go Fish. It only takes us a few minutes since we ordered out and that’s a good thing because the little guy is being really impatient. “Come on, Mommy, Auntie has already given everyone cards.”

  “Okay, I’m coming.” I chuckle at her comment. I want to mumble, not yet you aren’t, but with Ryker standing right there I decide to keep that to myself.

  He’s being very demanding this evening. “Mommy, you sit here, and Mikey, you sit here.” He points to two chairs, one on either side of where he’ll be sitting.

  “I take it you want to sit next to both of us.” He nods with a huge smile. “All right, little man. Let’s get this game going so I can kick your little butt.”

  “No way, Mikey.” He shakes his head and everyone laughs.

  The first game is a quick one. Shelly went out first. I could have sworn Ryker was going to freak out that his mother won, but he took it like a champ. I find myself proud of him, and it reminds me of how quickly I’m falling for him and his mother. I ruffle my fingers through his hair and give him a smile. He smiles back and picks up his cards, ready to play the next round. This round I have zero pairs in my hand, and Ryker already has two, so he only has three cards left. He’s thrilled, sitting there with a huge smile as he looks around the table. This kid is so observant. Eric tells him to take his turn, so he calls to me and asks me for a “free.” I chuckle at his attempt to say three and toss him the card. His smile grows, realizing he only has two cards left. He asks his aunt for a card next, but doesn’t get it. We all take our turn and it comes back to Ryker, who is hardly sitting still, he is so excited that no one went out. He calls to me again and asks for a king, and is thrilled when I have it. I hand him the card and he puts his pair down. Now he only has one card left and he has four people to pick from. He looks around the table. “Mommy, do you have a five?”

  “Go fish, buddy.” He looks totally devastated until he picks up the card he needs. His face lights up with excitement.

  “Mommy, look—I got it. I won!” he shouts.

  “Way to go, buddy.” He jumps into her lap and she wraps him in a hug. “I think it’s time we set up a movie in your room. What do you say?”

  “Okay, Mommy.”

  “Give hugs and say good night.” He jumps down from her lap and runs over to his aunt, hugging her. Eric gives him a fist bump and then he runs into my arms.

  “Mikey, will you tuck me in with Mommy?”

  I can’t help but smile. “Of course I will.” I carry him to his room and playfully toss him onto his little bed, tucking him in while his mother sets up the DVD. “Good night, little man.” I ruffle his hair one more time and walk out of the room.

  “You are so great with him.” Brea looks torn, like she wants to say more. “He’s been through a lot, stuff I’m sure Shelly hasn’t even begun to tell you yet.”

  “She hasn’t, but it was part of my plan to ask her when we go out tomorrow.”

  She nods slightly. “Good, you need to know what you’re getting into. He’s a sweet boy and really needs a good man in his life.”

  “Hey what am I, shit?” Eric jokes, trying to lighten Brea’s mood.

  She chuckles. “No, baby. You’re awesome too, but you know what I mean.”

  “I do, and I love that you care about your nephew so much.”

  Shelly takes a seat next to me. “Okay, who’s ready for some poker?”

  “I have the chips right here.” Brea places them on the table and Eric begins to shuffle the cards.

  “Five card stud,” he announces, and then informs me they play with dealer’s choice. I haven’t played poker in a long time. The first round I do horrible, trying to get the game down and figure out everyone’s game face and strategies. Actually, it takes me a few rounds to figure it out, but now I’m getting the hang of it. It’s too bad I only have a few chips left and I end up the first one out on the first round. Eric offers me a beer, telling me they are in the fridge. Looking at Shelly, I contemplate what to do. I’m not a fan of drinking and driving, and I’m not sure what her intentions are for tonight.

  She grins at me. “You can stay if you want.”

  “Are you sure?” She nods.

  “Eric, you want one while I’m up?”

  “Sure.” He folds his hand, leaving this hand to the two girls who are now glaring at each other like they’re about to attack.

  Eric takes his beer from me and I place mine on the table. “Babe, I’m going to run down to the car. I have a bag that I keep in there.” She looks at me with her brows raised. “There are times I spent all night at the club working. I would freshen up there and change my clothes. It became a habit.” I shrug and run down to get it.

  When I get down to the Escalade, I notice the same car from last night is down there and this time a woman is in the driver’s seat. Something is weird about this. Why has this same car been out here twice now right in front of the apartment but with two different drivers? Without staring I go about getting my bag from the back of my SUV, and at the same time I pull my phone from my back pocket and pretend to be texting, but I’m really jotting down the plate number so I can be sure it is, in fact, the same car. Being that I grew up watching my back all the time, I became very observant. I had to, or I would have ended up like some of the kids I went to school with, six feet under from some junkie who wants what little you have. Swinging my bag over my shoulder, I close the trunk and hurry back upstairs, not saying a word to anyone when I get there. I don’t want to freak Shelly out.

  “Let’s go, Mikey. We’ve decided to start another round.” I drop my bag by the door and take my seat, noticing that they’ve redistributed the poker chips.

  Three beers later we’ve finished another round of poker, with Eric and I the only ones left with chips. We decide to call it a night. Eric and Brea collect the poker chips and then say goodnight before they go to Brea’s room.

  Shelly takes my hand and starts toward her room. “Hold on, baby. Let me grab my bag.”

  She smiles, looking thrilled that I’m spending the night with her. She closes the door behind us and in a very slow, seductive way she strolls toward me. She wraps her arms around my neck and looks into my eyes. “Thank you for an amazing day today. I think it’s safe to say that both Ryker and I had fun.”

  “It’s my pleasure. I really enjoy spending time with both of you.” I press my lips to hers in a very soft, sweet kiss. “And now the pleasure will be all yours.” I slip my fingers into her hair and tug gently, pulling her head back, giving me access to her neck. She gasps as my lips make contact with the vein in her neck, peppering kisses down to her collarbone, breaking away only long enough to peel her shirt over her head. Her lips crash onto mine and our tongues collide, dueling for control, but control in the bedroom is not something I give up easily. I push her down onto her bed, grabbing the top of her leggings. I pull them off and toss them and her panties to the floor. She’s suddenly shy as she lies before me in nothing but her white lace bra. “You’re beautiful, baby.” I climb on top of her, forcing her to look me in the eye. “Don’t be shy. I love this body of yours.” I run my hand slowly up over her beautiful curves. Her eyes well with tears. “What’s wrong, baby?”

 
“I’m sorry, it’s just my ex always told me I was fat and that I needed to watch what I ate. I lost quite a bit of weight after he left, but never got to the point where I had the perfect body like the girls I used to dance with do.”

  “You’re wrong. These curves are what make you perfect, and I don’t want you to change a thing.” I kiss her hard, and then quickly begin kissing, sucking, and biting my way down her chest. Pulling her breast from the cup of her bra, I suck her nipple into my mouth, gliding my teeth over it. She grinds her hips into my cock, causing it to twitch in my now tight pants. Her hands pull at my hair as I continue to assault her nipple while massaging the other one. “I need to taste you,” I whisper, with my lips gliding along her skin. She scoots further up the bed while I free myself from the confines of my jeans. She opens her legs as I climb onto the bed. I’m itching to taste her and won’t wait any longer. She groans in frustration when I only lick the inside of her legs. It’s been a long time for her, and I know she needs this like she needs air to breathe. She’s looking down at me, watching and waiting for the moment I make contact. With a smile on my face, I lick through her folds, making contact with her hard little nub. Her eyes close and she bites her lip as she enjoys the pleasure I’m providing. The look of pure ecstasy on her face as I attack her clit is a beautiful sight. I can’t wait any longer. I need her to explode all over my tongue. I slip two fingers inside her tight pussy, curling them to ensure I hit that sweet spot. She falls back on the bed, no longer able to support herself, and begins rolling her hips, looking for more friction. Her muscles are tightening, telling me she’s getting close. Replacing my fingers with my tongue, I fuck her while my thumb presses and rolls over her clit, causing her to explode. Her hands are in my hair holding me in place as I lap up the juices from her explosion.

  “Fuck, Mikey,” she pants.

  “One second, baby.” I grab the condom from my wallet and make quick work of rolling it on. I need to be buried in that sweet pussy of hers. She’s so tight I have no doubt she’s going to feel like fucking heaven.

  She looks into my eyes as I climb back on top of her. Lining myself up with her opening, I press just the tip inside of her before pulling back out. “Mikey, please,” she begs. I press my lips to hers, licking at her opening. She moans into my mouth the second our tongues meet. I’m betting she’s just tasted herself for the first time. Breaking our kiss, I look into her eyes as I slip my cock deep inside her tight pussy. Her eyes slowly close as she feels every inch of me.

  “Open those beautiful eyes, baby. I need to see you.” Her eyes flutter open and a small smile spreads across her swollen lips.

  My hips roll and she meets me thrust for thrust. “God, Mikey, it’s been so long. That feels so…” her words trail off for a second. “Good.” I press her legs to her chest, changing the angle slightly and taking away her ability to move. I continue pounding her pussy, slowly working her back up, but she’s so tight and her pussy is squeezing my cock. I seriously can’t hold on too much longer.

  My thumb strums at her clit as I continue my rhythm. “Come on, baby,” I pant, sweat glistening my skin.

  She turns her head and bites her pillow, her pussy clenching my cock and sending me over the edge with her. I slam into her one last time, emptying all I have into the condom. She looks into my eyes and lifts her lips to mine. “That was amazing.”

  I smile at her. “Why thank you.”

  She throws her head back and laughs. “I’m glad you decided to spend the night.”

  “Oh really. Is that because I just gave you two orgasms or because you really really like me?” I joke with her.

  I didn’t think her smile could get any bigger. “Both.” She laughs.

  “Me too.” I slip out of her, holding onto the condom so we don’t make a mess. I grab my shorts and run it to the bathroom, where I wrap it in some tissue so Ryker doesn’t find it. When I get back, Shelly has the bed turned down and is lying on one side in a t-shirt and shorts. I climb in with her, spooning her from behind. I kiss her on the head, say goodnight, and we both fall asleep.

  Chapter 5

  Shelly

  “You know you need to talk to him, right?” Brea leans in the doorway to our bathroom.

  I look at her in the mirror as I finish my makeup. “What are you talking about?”

  Her brows shoot up. “Don’t play dumb. You’ve been seeing him long enough and you talk to him every night. He needs to know what our little buddy has been through.”

  She’s right, of course. The kid has been through a lot, thanks to his father, and I need to give Mikey a heads up on some of the things that we’ve been through. Eli is in jail now, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be released. I dread that day. It’s one of the reasons I never let him see Ryker after I ran. I don’t want him to know where I am and I pray to God every night that he has no idea where to find me. I exhale a deep breath. “You’re right. I know I need to give him fair warning, but is it too much to ask that my first relationship after Eli be somewhat normal for a little while?”

  “There’s nothing that says your relationship can’t be normal, but he deserves to know.”

  I plant my hands on my hips. “And what if it scares him away? This is the first guy who has showed interest in both me and Ryker. He’s not some guy just trying to get laid.”

  “I know, Shelly, I saw the way he was looking at you. He’s the real deal. This isn’t going to scare him away. Talk to him,” she demands, walking away from the bathroom and leaving me lost in thought. He’s picking me up any minute, and thanks to my sister, I’m now nervous. I sit here staring into the mirror when I hear the door open and my sister greet Mikey.

  “She’s almost ready,” Brea announces loudly to let me know he’s here.

  “I’m coming.” I stroll out of the bathroom wearing a pair of dark jeggings and a tunic top with some black boots.

  “You look stunning, baby.” Mikey grabs me by the waist, planting a soft, sweet kiss on my lips.

  “Ewwww, Mikey’s kissing Mommy, Auntie,” Ryker whines.

  We both look down at him with a smile. Mikey squats down in front of him. “Listen, little man. I’m going to take Mommy out for dinner, but I’ll see you tomorrow for some more fun, okay?” He nods. “Have fun with Auntie.” Mikey stands, taking my hand and leading me out to his Escalade. He’s about to open the door, but he stops, and when I turn to him, his fingers slip into my hair and he plants another kiss on my lips. “I love the way your lips feel pressed to mine, and I love the way you taste even more.” He opens the door and I slip into the seat.

  When he climbs in, he tells me he’s taking me to the Water Grill for some seafood. We’ve had discussions about how much I love seafood but can’t afford to buy it very often, so he told me he was taking me for a treat. It’s about a forty-five minute ride, so this would be the ideal time to discuss the situation my sister is pushing on me, but I’m not really sure how to bring it up and I’m afraid it will ruin the night. “You’re awfully quiet tonight. What’s on your mind?”

  “Honestly?” I question.

  “Of course I want you to be honest.” He sounds terse.

  I sigh. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean it like that. I just…” I let out another deep breath. “My sister is pressing me about discussing my past with you and the things Eli put us through, but it’s not an easy topic.”

  “I’m sure it’s not. I want you to tell me when you’re ready, and not because Brea thinks you should.”

  “I think she’s partially right. He wasn’t a good man, and he put us through hell, but if I’m being honest, I’m a little scared.”

  He stops at a traffic light and turns to face me. “Nothing you say is going to change the way I feel about the two of you. I’ll still want to be with you, so if that’s what you’re afraid of, you can stop right now.” I close my eyes, taking in his words. He says that now, but he has no idea how much anger Eli can possess. I didn’t even know how angry he could get until it was too l
ate.

  “Okay, we’ll just see about that.” I wait for him to pull away before I start. “Eli is in jail, but not for the crimes he committed against us. He was convicted of attempted rape after breaking and entering.”

  “I’m glad he’s in jail, but the part of this story I want to hear is what happened when he was with you.” Of course he wants to know. What I really need right now is some liquid courage.

  “When Ryker was about two years old, I left him home with Eli while I went to classes. I came home a little after lunchtime to find a mess in the kitchen and Ryker was nowhere to be found. Eli was pacing the dining room, freaking out. I could see anger and frustration on his face. It was worse than I had ever seen before. When I asked him what happened, he lashed out at me, telling me that my son was a piece of shit, that he’d made a huge mess, and that he had to be punished for it. I started screaming at him, asking what he did, and that’s when he backhanded me. He told me he wouldn’t tolerate his woman yelling at him.” I take a deep breath. “Eli would always tell me I was a useless, fat piece of shit. I knew he was verbally abusive, but I just needed to get through school and then I could take care of my son by myself. I could ignore the verbal stuff, but when he stormed out that day and I found Ryker hiding under his bed, bloody and bruised, I lost it. I couldn’t believe he had hurt my poor defenseless baby.” Mikey is seething with anger, his knuckles white from holding the steering wheel so tight. I know he doesn’t mean it, but he’s scaring me. “Mikey…” my words trail off, waiting for him to glance over. He finally lets out a deep breath. “Mikey, please calm down. You’re scaring me.”