Something Deeper

by Shara Azod

“Mmm, I wanted to do that all night. God, do you know how fucking hot you are?” he asked throatily. “I am yours, beautiful.”

  As more of her inhibitions fell away, Sky forcefully kissed him back, firm and furious her longing leading to impatience. His tongue glided over her lips as she took a breath. Sky knew without doubt, he meant to take his time and little by little explore her.

  A booty call this wasn’t.

  *****

  Cashmere couldn’t quite believe it. Even though her lips tasted like cinnamon, and her body pressed urgently against his, he had difficulty making it quite real. His senses were overloaded, but his brain was suspended in disbelief.

  Caramel was in his hotel room.

  “I want to see your face,” his whispered, drew back from yet another deep kiss. Breathing heavily, he kept his body touching hers. His hands palmed the swell of ass, as he groaned.

  At last, this wonderful ass is in my hands. Sweet mercy.

  She hesitated, her lower lip between her teeth. Those wonderful eyes failed to meet his. So innocent, so shy, and yet so very sexy—Caramel was a sticky set of contradictions.

  With a few nervous touches, Caramel’s eyes met his at last.

  He didn’t find the raw carnal cravings that was there moments earlier, but something else.

  Hesitation.

  “If it’s not cool with you, then, don’t,” he said, nibbling against her ear, licking and inhaling her jasmine scent. God, she’s so incredible!

  He pulled back and planted a soft, quick kiss on her mask. “It’s all right with me. The mask is sexy too.”

  His arms tightened around her once more. Her breasts were fuller, more luscious than he’d ever thought from her conservative dress. Caressing the front of her dress, he relished the stiff tips as his palm drifted across their peaks.

  “You are overdressed,” he said huskily, his hands sliding up her dress, lifting the material higher, above her sex. His fingers floated across her panties.

  His impatient cock quivered and flexed in anxious yearning.

  “Oh ho, satin.”

  Not allowing her to talk, his mouth covered hers once more. It was if he was dying of thirst and couldn’t quite get enough to soothe his throbbing cock. Now that he had her, he wanted to touch everything, hear every moan and demand, taste all of her and see ecstasy on her face.

  With his eyes closed, his hands traveled to the dress’s zipper and lowered it, achingly slow as to not tear the fabric, but also to tease her a bit. Though he didn’t know how long the teasing would continue as his member was emerging awake and aroused, pulsating to push into her wet puss.

  She gasped as he yanked the dress down her body with all the expertise of someone who’d had lots of practice. Opening his eyes, he broke off the kiss and shoved the garment down to her feet. Offering his hand, he helped her step out of it.

  Wearing only her pumps and surprisingly sexy underwear, Caramel shined. Smooth flesh skimmed over full hips and a womanly stomach, round with the hallmarks of time. Sloping breasts with chocolate tipped nipples as hard as chips poked the lacy bra. Cashmere stepped back, feeling as if he’d been punched, without mercy, in the stomach. She wasn’t beautiful in a movie star sense or a model starved look.

  No, she was more—wow.

  Caramel was all woman.

  Simple as that. Strong legs, curvy hips, and breasts perfect for fitting neatly in his palm. Dark cocoa skin stretched over each sensational curve made Caramel all the more luscious. Her hair had been pulled up to reveal a long neck. He eyed the places he would bite and lick and kiss and nip.

  “Damn,” was the only word he could utter and it was horribly inaccurate to describe the shivering blanket of raging ache covering his body forcing all manner of parts to stand up, to harden.

  Her eyes held his gaze and God, he wanted to be in her clutches.

  “Come here, boy toy,” she breathed, “and let me teach you a thing or two.”

  He did, diving into her mouth, tasting her again and feeling as if he’d never get enough of her. A boy toy, he wasn’t but he was okay with letting her believe it—for now.

  Drawing back from her kiss, he slowly slipped his finger beneath her bra strap and glided it down her shoulder, planting kisses in its wake.

  “Hmmm, yes,” she moaned.

  Right then killer-loud knocks broke the hushed moans between them.

  “Damn it, Cashmere. I know you’re in there!” Dante bellowed. “We’re not done.”

  Not now, Dante, not now. Shit.

  Caramel froze, her eyes searching his face.

  Yeah. I’m pretty confused by her being here too.

  “Now Cash. Open up!” Dante yelled.

  At that rate she was going to wake up the entire floor.

  “I’ve got to deal with this, wait one minute,” he said, giving her a smile. “Please, only a couple of minutes.”

  Caramel stepped back and covered her breasts with her forearm, while with her free hand she snatched up her dress from the floor.

  “Oh, no, baby, no,” he said, heading to the door. “I’m going to want to see all of your gorgeous body. I’m going to love all over it, so the bra and panties, as sexy as they are, are going to have to go. Just give me a minute.”

  She wouldn’t meet his eyes. She disappeared into his bathroom without a single look back. A black look had taken up residence in the very smoky passion-filled face a few moments before.

  Damn it. She’s got that pissed off look on her face.

  He wrenched open the door just wide enough to put his head through and said, “What is it?”

  Dante’s face was screwed into a mash of fury.

  “You owe me two hundred dollars. And a major fucking apology,” Dante quipped shoving her hand between the door, trying to enter the room.

  Cashmere blocked her path.

  “Fine. I told you I’d pay on Friday,” he said stiffly, his anger burning up his desire. He had to get her out of the way and return to the true object of his lust. “Okay?”

  “I’m still pissed, but you can make it up for me, tonight,” she winked at him and blew him a kiss. “You liked coming in my mouth, imagine doing it inside me, lover.”

  Before he could answer and tell her to get over it, a rough cough from behind him caught his attention.

  Without waiting, he shoved the door close in Dante’s face and locked it. She banged on it a few more times, and cursed repeatedly. He didn’t have time for her tantrum. He had other problems.

  “Lover? Hmmm, seems you’ve already had some play time, huh, boy toy?” Caramel asked, her eyes narrowed in angry slits. “I bet you’re much too tired to handle both me and her tonight.”

  “No, it—it isn’t like what you’re thinking,” he said, trying to make himself calm down. If he overreacted, Caramel would too.

  She walked toward him, purse on her shoulder, her mouth drawn into a tight line. He touched her chin, guiding her face up to his.

  “Caramel, look at me.”

  She did, but he realized it took amazing effort.

  With a single yank, she pulled her face from his grasp.

  “Don’t touch me,” she barked. “Don’t ever put your hands on me.”

  “Listen to me,” he started, and then, plowed on. “I have not slept with Dante tonight. I’m not her lover. I—I only want to be with you.”

  “She said you came, such a crude term, for her tonight. You think I’m too old to know what that means.”

  “No, yes, uh, no,” Cashmere stammered, it all running out of control. “I did, uh, do things with her tonight, but I didn’t sleep with her…”

  He watched with baited breath as Caramel fought with herself, his words sinking in. The mask hid the expressions, but her eyes told him everything. She wanted him, or else she wouldn’t be standing in his hotel room.

  But…

  She wasn’t completely comfortable with it either. How could Dante ruin this for him with such fluidity? Damn it. He had to make Caramel s
ee that it was her he wanted.

  Either way, it spelled no love for him tonight.

  “I—I’m really sorry about this, Cashmere. I like you and I, I want to,” Caramel stammered as she backed away from him. “As young as you are, I—I’m not sure you’d understand. But a boy toy doesn’t quite turn me on. I like something a little more, mine.”

  Too young? She wasn’t ancient or elderly. Mature. And he liked mature.

  He stepped to her, to plead with her to believe him, to listen to him.

  When she hit the wall, he quickly leapt away from her, allowing his hair to swing forward, hiding his disappointment.

  “No, I, I understand,” he said, working to shove it all down deep. “I didn’t sleep with Dante, I assure you.”

  When he looked back, her mask—was off!

  “I wanted you to see what you missed tonight,” she said, her voice sharp as a dagger, cold as ice. Her eyes had dried up and her posture had returned to its rigid position.

  Despite her icy tone and apathetic expression, something else lingered around her eyes and her face. Hurt.

  “Fine,” Cashmere said, but inside his heart was telling him that he wouldn’t be all right for awhile. Something about Caramel had punched a gaping hole in his heart, one which only she could fix.

  “Bye.”

  She stepped over the wine bottle and the glasses, which turned out to be plastic. Stunned, he picked them up as she unlocked the door. He sat down Indian fashion on the floor, at the foot of the bed.

  Out of the corner of his eye, he could see her, a beauty in ebony as she turned the handle.

  He picked up the corkscrew to uncork the now warm red. He set the two glasses on the floor and poured, carelessly into both. The liquid sloshed over the rims and onto the carpet. The growing yearning in his body flooded his sense and it stung to lose her.

  The best way to numb all of it to a dull ache was to drink.

  With one long glance at him, Caramel disappeared through the door with a soft click, taking his heart with her.

  Chapter 4

  “What’s the matter, Sky? You okay?” asked Lee, all giggling and laughing fell short, and a grim gaze took up its spot.

  “I, I. It’s nothing,” she said, whistling as she sighed.

  “You all right?” Lee asked again, eyes peering at her over a raised paper cup of steaming coffee. Both of her hands were wrapped around the cup, but her puffy, dark eyes were glued to her.

  Lee wasn’t buying her I’m tired act.

  “Because if you need help, let me know.”

  Already after nine, the morning had come way too soon for Sky. And from the looks of it, too fast for Lee too. She hadn’t bothered to iron her collared shirt or her shorts. Rumpled and ragged, Lee had simple grunted a ‘morning’ to her when she plopped down in the seat across from her. On her third cup of coffee, Lee had sort of ascended to homosapien and could form sentences and ask questions. Like the ones she posed to Sky.

  “No, no,” Sky said, patting her chest after having swallowed the last mouthful of her coffee. The hot liquid seared her throat, leaving a trail of burn down through her chest. She fought not to break down into tears. “I’m fine. Really. I, I can’t eat is all.”

  Lee’s face folded into a mean scowl. With her braids free, they were scattered across her shoulders. Held back from her face by a blue scarf, her black hair held hints of blonde and bronze highlights. She didn’t look either polished or bushy tailed.

  But bright eyes, yes, Lee’s eyes were sparkling with suspicion.

  “And why not?”

  “We’re flying in about four hours. I’m a little skittish is all.”

  A quick lie, but Sky didn’t want to unload her personal drama out here at the conference’s morning breakfast rush. Around them scores of teachers ate the free breakfast sponsored by the conference. School districts across America lacked funds, so Sky’s per diem only covered lunch and part of her evening meals. $25 a day didn’t do much in Vegas.

  She put her eyes on her notepad and began again to pretend to read.

  Besides, someone might overhear her talking about a freak party. Sky didn’t want to rehash it anyway. She’d spent most of what remained of the night, wrestling with her demons and losing. So what exactly had he done with Dante and then he wanted a turn with her?

  I can’t go for that. No can do. I’m not into sharing or passing around the biscuit for all the chicks to get a bite.

  “Uh, huh. You sure you don’t wanna talk?” she asked, voice elevated above the surround tables’ chatter. “Sky? It’s me. We been friends for a minute now. I know when something’s eating at you and well, you’re nearly ate up!”

  How can I tell you that for the first time in years I felt alive, desired and hornier than a hound dog in heat? Only to have it spoiled by the very boy toy I wanted to play with? I can’t. Not here amongst all of our peers. I’m supposed to be too old to care about it and I can’t figure out why I do.

  All of these things flew around her mind, as she stared across to Lee.

  But she couldn’t say any of them.

  Instead she said, “Nope. I’m okay.”

  She buried her head into her notes, reading over them with feigned interest. The words blurred on the page, and she made herself re-read a lot of it because nothing was going through. All she could think about was Cashmere and how he’d let her down. Up until Dante arrived, he’d behaved like a man well older than his years. An old soul.

  “I don’t know what happened to you last night,” Lee said, sternly in teacher mode. “But you’re going to tell me. Right? Not now because it seems really raw, but eventually.”

  Without looking up, Sky took in a breath to stem the rising tide of emotion in her throat. Her eyes burned with the budding sting of embarrassing tears, but she battled them back. It was foolish for her to be such an emotional mess.

  But Cashmere had uncorked feelings she had bottled up for three solid years.

  “Sure.”

  “Okay. Now, my night was incredible,” Lee said, sipped, and then went on. “This guy, his name tag said Wicked Warrior, but his real name is Bobby Burns. A fake name too right? Nope saw his license, and he’s from Connecticut…”

  Like the words smeared on the page, Lee’s rendition of her nighttime escapade dissolved into a humming against Sky’s ear. She heard every third word, but nodded and said, “uh huh,” every couple of minutes as if she was listening.

  Occasionally, she would look up to meet Lee’s eyes and then turn back to her notes as if she was actually reading them too. To be successful at multi-taking, one must first master the art of appearing to do multiple things, while doing none.

  “You ain’t listening,” Lee accused, putting her cup on the table.

  Angry eyes and a deep frown told Sky Lee was pissed.

  “Yes, I am.”

  “No, you ain’t. I just said I fucked a donkey last night, and you said, uh, huh as if it happens every day.”

  “Oh, Lee,” Sky said with a sigh. “I’m so sorry. I’ve got a lot on my mind. Start again. I’m really listening this time.”

  Lee held up her hand, silencing her.

  “Say no more. I get it. And no, I didn’t really sleep with a donkey.”

  With that, Lee collected their accumulated trash and took it over to the trash cans, depositing it with one tray dump into the can. She tossed the hard, plastic tray onto the top of the can and headed out of the conference room’s eating area.

  “Lee, don’t go!”

  Now I’ve made Lee mad, too. Great. At this rate I’ll have no friends left before I board the plane.

  Sky got up, packed her notes and conference schedule into her bag and headed out to find Lee. She could use her cellular phone, but it didn’t seem right yet. If she hunted around for her, it would score her time to think of a way to apologize to her best friend.

  After scurrying around to the café, the restrooms, the conference dealers’ tables, and out past registrati
on, Sky found Lee outside the conference building with a fresh cigarette in her lips. Streams of teachers and panelists floated by them. A handful of smokers lined the sidewalk further down from Lee, in the cooler shade. None were talking to each other.

  “Lee, come on,” Sky panted, adjusted the bag on her shoulder. “I’ll talk to you about it, but I’m a bit befuddled is all.”

  Lee nodded, but said nothing.

  “All right,” she sighed, putting her bag down on the sidewalk. “Last night, I took your advice and headed up to the room of one of the participants.”