by Ross, Janice
“His boss beat him to death.”
“How do you play into this?” I asked Bash.
He answered as honestly as I expected him to. “I was in it for the money. From day one, when she told me you guys had found all that and hadn’t put me on, I was in from then.”
“So you let this ride out for four years?” Rory shouted. The room vibrated as he just about exploded. The one thing that seemed to keep him together was Teagan. She remained at his side, whispering in his ear and sustaining the madness with gentle strokes.
“And I don’t regret a minute of it,” Erika ripped out the words. She swayed between sobbing and laughing. “No, I don’t.”
Kasha practically jumped from the wall to Erika. At first, everyone looked on, stunned.
~
Kasha
~
I’d never been a fighter. Never had a reason to go that far. I was raised to turn the other cheek. But then I learned to run like hell. Knox being taken in this way, that pissed me the hell off. He secured his hand around my waist and needed much of his strength to get me off Erika.
“No . . . no . . .” As tears raced down my face, to the point of blurring my opponent, I continued to swing my arms and feet. “I hate you!” I cried into his chest, when he pulled me into his chest. “Let me go!” I pounded at him.
“Kash, no baby. We’re gonna get over this.” His right palm cupped my face. He directed my lips to his. “Calm down,” he mumbled, sending a stream of hot breezes between my lips.
“You mean—” I couldn’t finish my sentence. A lump formed in my throat. I always knew Knox had a past, but this was too much. Shit, it wasn’t even a misunderstanding. His entire life revolved around dirty money. Even my house was tied up in it.
“That was a different time, a different life.” As the explanation came out, his head dipped. He couldn’t look at me.
“But that’s what gave you the edge up in your business.” I spun out of his path.
He reached for my face. I snatched away, aware of what his touch could do. His eyes pleaded for me to understand. I didn’t know if I was capable of getting over this. Never expected the perfect man, just the perfect one for me. And that man needed to be anything but Van-like.
“The money wasn’t legitimately yours.”
“Let me explain—”
“No! Please, Knox, don’t manipulate things.”
“You realize I was younger then, right?”
“Yeah, not by much either, and you’re still living off the dirty money.”
“So you want me to give it up? If that’s the case, I can do away with that portion of it or, or—”
“You were alright with life before me. I just can’t be a part of this.”
“This what? Honestly, Kash, you’re all self-righteous and shit. Haven’t you ever made a mistake, a decision that came back and kicked your ass?”
“I’m human.”
“So what is it about my situation that makes you willing to walk away from what we’ve got going? Damn, or what we could have?”
Yeah, I was a hypocrite. Considering the Bash and Erika vendetta against Knox, I had every right to be self-serving.
~
Nearly four hours later—after the cops had collected the guys we’d knocked out that had been standing guard, and the conniving duo—Knox and Rory sat at one end of the bar. We were downstairs, in the lobby of a Ritz Carlton. Every few seconds I’d look across at Knox’s pleading eyes. He had a knot at the side of his head. I fluctuated between longing to soothe him and needing to bolt out of sight. I loved him like he was an extension of the woman I could finally rest in and be. And for that reason, he scared me to death. We were both imperfect. Not that anyone could claim perfection, but this love brewing down within me was unstoppable.
Could I ever forget I’d fallen in love with him? Walk away and allow the memories to keep me company for the rest of my life?
“You’re such a hypocrite.” Tea wrapped her fingers around my upper arm. She yanked me back to reality. Her pupils carried a thick layer of moisture, like she would burst out in tears at any minute.
“What’s the problem with leaving?” It wasn’t a question for her, as much as it was me trying to convince myself that we needed to run. Whereas her tears hung on for dear life, I let go. The love I felt for Knox was unbelievably strong. It broke my heart to know that I couldn’t keep it. But I had to let him go. “He’s a time bomb waiting to explode.”
“You have a past too, so don’t judge him. Hell, Kash, I have a friggin’ past.”
“But you’re my friend.”
“He’s your man. How can you say you love him, then even consider running away from him? That guy would go through hell and back, if it meant you’d be safe.” Tea spun out of view, then passed the back of her hand across her face.
I’m not saying this wasn’t about Knox or me. Tea must’ve known the repercussions of staying here, where drama lived. Erika had indicated everyone knew about Rory and Knox. Who the hell was everyone? I studied Tea’s sad eyes; this was highly unusual for her. That thing I sensed between Teagan and Rory was more powerful than anything she might’ve endured in the past, though so sudden.
“I know enough about your past, but I think you’ll need to sit down with Rory. Explain things. Let him know everything; I mean every jacked-up thing that’s happened in your life.” The tables finally turned. Imagine that, I ended up giving my best friend relationship advice. Considering neither of us were really any good at romantic stuff and this whole guy thing, I didn’t know what to expect. And just as I found myself convincing Teagan to open up to Rory, I knew I’d do the same with Knox.
Kasha
~
Not only had I fallen asleep in Knox’s arms, I woke up there too. He held onto me as if I were the ultimate, the better part of him. I lay quietly in his embrace, while the sound of his light snore formed the perfect lullaby. When did things suddenly turn around for me? Since when did I deserve to be happy? I couldn’t help but feel like this was the calm before the storm. Maybe one day I’d wake up and there would be a helluva disaster, something that would come at me for being naive enough to believe I’d ever achieve the desired happily ever after.
I snaked out from his embrace. Knox’s eyelids flashed open. Leaning forward, I kissed him sweetly.
“What’s up?” he asked.
“Nothing. I gotta run to the bathroom.” My palm paused over his heart. The steady beat gave me chills.
He’s real, Kash.
But how? This hot guy with an incredible aura to match my less than powerful one gave himself to me. He professed a love for me that I never thought would manifest. But how? Moreover, he had real issues.
I never imagined I’d be number one. God, was someone playing a trick on me? Over the course of a few days, we’d gone from this incredible friendship to an even better love.
I fled for the bathroom. The sobs came all at once, with a flush of fresh tears. Nothing else was capable of frightening me as much as this newfound love of mine. I loved Knox in a way I could never explain. My heart would one day explode because each second of his tender love and each moment in his presence only grew in intensity. There was no uncertainty with Knox, and that scared the crap out of me.
“Kash.” His voice swirled around me. I barely had enough time to grab a hand towel and shelter my face. That was minor because the tears had swarmed down over me—all of me. My cries were still loud; possibly the reason he’d sought me out. “Come here.”
The little towel dropped to the floor.
“I need to feel you. All of you. That includes what’s out here.” He placed two fingers to my temples. “I promise, I’m not letting anything come near you. No drama. No pain. No hurt.”
“You can’t promise that.”
“Why not? Kash, this is over with.”
“Knox.” I blew out his name, gave my back, and walked to the far end of the bathroom. “I come with my own set of drama. I ran awa
y from home after graduation. My dad had just died and my mom channeled her anger over things to me.”
“Kash—”
“No. Please, let me finish.” After cupping my face for a couple of seconds I let things go. “I fell in with a club owner. He wasn’t my boyfriend or anything.”
“What kinda club?”
“After hours.” I searched out his reaction.
Nothing.
“One day some horrible shit went down. I saw something I shouldn’t have, Teagan kicked his ass and we had to run from Florida.” By the time I ended my sentence, I could’ve collapsed and died. As much as I’d fought to hold it all in, letting go felt great. Knox appeared right next to me, as the structure of strength to help me sustain this life.
“Kasha, why didn’t you tell me all of this? My drama, your drama means nothing.”
“But—”
“But nothing.”
“Yes! I was ready to condemn you for Erika and the money—”
“You said her name.” He chuckled, then brushed his lips to mine. “We both messed up. Our distant past, even recent past. But we’re here, right now.”
I understood his meaning. We were here, now as one. “Start over fresh, like the day outside of Nora Lee’s.” I smiled, sniffled and slid my lips in.”
“Yeah. Like complete strangers?” Knox’s voice dropped low. I followed his lead.
“Almost,” I mumbled to the center of his chest. Along the carved depth, I nibbled lower and lower. He was beyond perfect, far greater than exceptional and truly, infinitely mine.
~
Knox
~
“Damn!”
Kasha’s tiny fingers pressed against my thighs, while she fought to shove my legs apart. Trust me, this was not an easy task, but I gave her just enough room to maneuver beneath me. She wasted no time in grabbing my erection and wrapping her lips round the tip of my hard-on.
“Mmmm,” she mumbled. “Perfect.” She palmed it right before shoving it into her mouth and making that mind-blowing popping sound when she sucked from shaft to tip, only to let it go.
“Knox . . .” she blew out. Her back slumped. She drew closer. For a second, it was like I wasn’t there; instead, it was just her and my hard-on. She breathed, licked, sucked and caressed my erection. To hell with food or any kind of sustenance, I was her drug of choice, means of survival, and nourishment for the soul. I never asked for this, but it happened.
Her thumb went on to caress that sensitive split at the head with one hand, as the other palmed my sac. Our eyes connected, and even though the light was dim, I saw the shine in her honey pupils. Her lips were full and quivering.
My fingers reached down to her thick hair. I tugged and pulled her even closer to my erection. She took in my flesh once again, and I helped her out by thrusting my hips forward. I felt the opening and grip of her throat as I slipped further down, so I braced for the gag reflex. She let it glide deep. My hands maintained hold on her hair, grasping tighter.
I was capable of holding my own. I was not a wimp to any degree, but Kasha was out to take me down. I couldn’t help but stare at her. The movements, the desires . . . What the hell was I gonna do if I was ever forced to walk away? I grew all tingly and shit like I’d been plugged into the wall. My limbs set on fire.
She was such a tiny little thing and close to a whole foot shorter than me. I could’ve literally crushed her with little effort. But all I wanted to do was pick her up off her knees and fall at her feet.
I wanted to carry her away. We had a rough enough of a time getting together.
She straightened up and whispered, “I can’t live without you.” Her voice cracked. I could answer, but her words were more like a vow than an in-the-moment sex thing.
Seriously!
Kasha was somehow placed into my world, similar to the way her head was gliding at my feet.
Had I actually found someone to love me for all the right reasons? And suddenly, a frickin’ blowjob just wouldn’t suffice. I felt the need to get lost in her aching pupils and swim inside her warmth. I swooped down and took her into my arms. Her entire body melted into mine; legs spread and wrapped round my sides. I needed this, needed her . . . needed to make her know how much.
“Take me,” she begged, her voice breaking apart midway through. “Please,” she continued, all the while her fingers gripped onto the muscles of my arms.
I didn’t answer; instead, I gripped tighter onto her ass and moved from the wall in the bathroom.
“Please, Knox,” she quivers. “Take me . . .”
Do I want to?
Of course!
More than want, I needed to fully know the only girl that could make me forget everything bad that had ever happened to me. She had given me the ability to hope.
She wanted to be taken. I would oblige. But for right now, I needed her to feel the depths of my love. I laid her body on top of the bed and started raiding. I kissed her plush lips and explored lower.
“Ummm,” she cried out. “Yesss!” Her chest shot up from the bed, blessing my lips and tongue.
My fingers slipped lower into her goodness. Her hands glided down in an effort to direct mine beyond the outside and deeper within. She even gyrated her hips around and rode greedily. I knew what she desired, but I wasn’t ready.
“Easy,” I warned. I shifted my efforts lower and lower still, until my tongue replaced the rawness of my fingertips. I fed, calling out her juices. Her clit met me with urgency as she squirmed beneath my mouth. I made it harsh enough to let her know I meant business, yet feeble enough to treasure her. She eventually answered my command, and flooded my tongue with her sweetness.
“Aghhhhh! Aghhhhhhhh!”
And only then, only then did I take her. I allowed her to remain on her back, while fitting on top of her. My erection felt out her entrance and proceeded. I penetrated her walls, pumping deeper and claiming her body in the process. The entire time, her inner muscles pulsated and clenched on me. But I felt her become liberated and in the process give me permission to make a claim. Whether she knew it or not, I had already staked claim, wholly and solely from her inside out.
Kasha was now and would always be my number one.
~
Stay tuned for more with Teagan and Rory’s story, “Too Bad for Love” . . .
Janice G. Ross’s Bio
Janice was born in Guyana, South America and migrated to the USA in 1980. Although her citizenship certificate now reads the United States of America, she considers herself a citizen of the world. Sure she has not physically been around the world and back, but she’s traveled in her mind and dreams.
Janice enjoys reading and is drawn to stories with distinct characters that she can love or hate, characters she can form alliances with or characters that she can swear off and despise. She is also weak for a good cultural tale, preferably in the form of historical fiction. Janice loves to be taken off guard by clever language and settings.
Janice is also a devout supporter and promoter of other authors.
You can connect with Janice on:
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Other Books by the Author:
Damaged Girls I, II & III
Island Hopping: Jumping Ship
Island Hopping: Trinidad & Tobago
A Man Is Just A Man (A Loving Nate Novella)
Jezebel Jones, A Love Story
Just Between Us - Short Story Series
Mysticism & Myths Collection
Coming Soon:
Jezebel Jones, Simply the Best
Too Bad for Love (Rory & Teagan)
Jezebel Jones
Book Description
Anyone can say they’re completely f
ulfilled with life. They can say all the right words and even behave as if not a darn thing is wrong even when their insides are hollowed out. And eventually they’ll search, dig, pry and perhaps bargain for a chance at satisfaction. If I can’t be satisfied, then I guess I’ll settle for what I can get.
Right?
Maybe?
~Jezebel Jones~
Jezebel Jones and Jason Marks have been the rocks in each other’s lives for years. No one knows Jezebel as well as Jason, and vice versa. As Jezebel comes to terms with being alone, she decides to settle for her ever-faithful friend. Although she has never loved him romantically, Jezebel wants to make a try for a real relationship with her dear friend. This isn’t a natural thing, just something she is reasoning through. She can’t help but wonder if their friendship will be able to withstand the changes.
When Jezebel least expects to be swept away by anyone, she meets Aidan Broder. He stimulates her mind, body and soul. Even as Jezebel gets closer to him, she’s afraid to dive in and finds herself in the middle of two men. In the end, Jezebel will have to make a choice between a man that has always loved her and a man that wants to love her.
Author’s Note:
I’ve never been one to believe in love at first sight. As I’ve grown older and become engaged in life, I find myself seeking this happily ever after that so many people talk about. In many ways, I was once Jezebel—unsure of what the future would hold and still hoping for something, anything that would allow me to believe. Although many of us don’t know what that something might be, we do know that we want more. Jezebel Jones is about letting go in order to truly love.
~~~~~