Harbour of Refuge

by Aliyah Burke

  “By all means, sweetheart. Use me.”

  She stood and walked to the edge where she climbed on the ladder. “I plan on it. Gonna work you then work you.”

  His cock throbbed in his pants and he fought his groan. Following her down, they headed to where her father sat.

  “Thanks for putting the ladder up,” Enzo said.

  “Didn’t want my baby girl up there forever.”

  “Daddy, Enzo said he’d help me with the things I had on the list. You and Mom can go meet your friends. We’ll be fine.”

  Her father looked at him again before standing. Brushing a kiss over his daughter’s cheek, Greg stared at him. “We’ll be back before dinner.”

  “Have fun, Daddy. This way, Enzo.” She led him off with a slight tug on his arm.

  * * * *

  Halyn stared at the flowers that sat on her kitchen counter. Purple, blue and white, they made her smile. They’d been on her porch when she had got home from work today and she’d known they were from Enzo even before she got to the card.

  He’d stayed two days in town while she was at her parents and she’d got home late yesterday night so she’d not seen him yet. She smoothed her hands down her sun dress. That was going to change really soon—it was a special occasion for her to be in a dress.

  Swiping the basket from the counter, she headed for the door. Soon she was in her car heading down the road towards her destination, top down and music blaring. She whipped into the parking lot of his apartment complex and found a spot. Once she’d climbed out, she walked to the door and entered.

  On the fourth floor, she exited the elevator and began down the hall. Enzo’s door sat partially propped open and she lifted her hand to knock when it swung wide, and she found herself face to face with Amber Watkins.

  The expression on Amber’s face wasn’t happy but the second she saw who stood there, it segued into a practised smile. “Thanks, Enzo. See you at school.” Amber adjusted her breasts and sashayed her ass out of there.

  Halyn took a deep breath, determined it wasn’t going to ruin her evening. She trusted him. That was what she needed to remember. Knocking, she called out. “Anyone home?”

  “Halyn?”

  Enzo sounded out of sorts. He came into view and her body responded. Damn, all it took was a look at him and she immediately thought sex. Lots of sex. Against a wall, on the floor, it didn’t matter so long as it involved him and her, naked and getting sweaty.

  She shrugged. “Door was open.”

  “Come on in.”

  She did, pushing the door shut behind her. She dragged her gaze over him. Have I said damn recently? Because, wow…damn.

  “Where’s Liev?”

  “In his room.” He shoved a hand through his hair and looked around like he’d lost something.

  “Everything okay?”

  He shook his head. “No. Come here.”

  She stood before him. He tucked some hair behind her ear and kissed her. Closing her eyes, Halyn leaned into him, running her hands over his chest and up around his shoulders.

  “Maybe this is a bad time, I saw Amber leave and I don’t want—”

  He kissed her again. “Please tell me that psychotic harpy didn’t say anything to you.”

  “No, she adjusted her breasts like she’d finished a job and left. All she said was she’d see you at school and thanks for whatever it was you did.”

  “I didn’t… Jesus, Halyn, you don’t think—”

  She covered his mouth. “If I really thought you’d done something with her do you think I would have kissed you?” She gave him a small smile. “I’m well aware of the kind of woman Amber is, Enzo. Maybe I should leave.”

  “No, I’m not insane enough to let you go. I didn’t think I’d see you today, did you get your flowers?”

  “I did, thank you.” She leaned against him, arms around his waist, glad to be near him again. “I came to invite you and Liev to a picnic dinner. If you don’t have plans for tonight, or haven’t already eaten?”

  “We’d love to. Let me go get Liev and throw a shirt on.” He kissed her again. “You look seriously sexy in that dress, sweets.”

  She winked. “No rush on my account.” Before releasing him, she cupped him through his jeans. “No rush at all.”

  He growled low in this throat. “Boy’s plugged in, Halyn. Keep that up and you’ll find yourself with your skirts bunched around your waist, bent over my bed with my dick pounding the hell out of you.”

  She trembled at his words. Longing spiked through her. Nipping her lower lip, she smiled. “Dinner will keep.”

  His eyes darkened to nearly black. He swept her up and tossed her over his shoulder, the hand on her ass already under her skirt. In his room, Enzo set her on her feet and bent her over with a firm hand on the small of her back. No gentle words were exchanged between them.

  It didn’t matter. She didn’t want gentle. She wanted to be taken by him. Her skirt landed on her back and she quivered at the soft caress of his large hand smoothing along her ass cheek. That lasted all of a second before he ripped her panties down, not allowing her to step out of them, he widened her legs a bit and she gasped as he sank fully within her in a single stroke.

  Oh, God! Heaven.

  “Fuck,” he grunted.

  She fumbled for one of his pillows and buried her face in it to muffle her cries. He began to move. Hard and fast from the beginning, she could hardly catch her breath. Her vibrator didn’t bring her this kind of pleasure.

  Her skin burned as if on fire. She pressed back into him and he got the hint, going harder. His hand on her back held her still. In and out he pounded. Continuous strokes had her screaming into the pillow as she came in a rush that had her seeing stars. She tightened around him and his own moan was harsh, ripped from him, as his cock jerked and spilled deep inside her.

  “Stay there,” he muttered.

  “Like I have any energy to move,” she said, out of breath.

  She didn’t even shift when a warm washcloth cleaned her. Enzo kissed the small of her back before he drew up her panties, then flipped her skirt back over her ass. Legs wobbling a bit, she rolled over and sat up.

  He tipped up her chin and kissed her. “I’ll be ready in a minute.” She flopped back on the bed and tried to slow her breathing. Skirts were always helpful in times like this.

  She jumped with a squeal when he fell on her, barely avoiding crushing her. “You scared me.”

  “I’ll make it up to you later.”

  “I hope so, but just in case, I brought my booklet.”

  His pupils dilated and his nostrils flared. “You’re a tease.”

  “I’m hungry. I’ll be a tease later.” She hooked both arms and legs around him. “But a very good tease.”

  “No doubt about how good you are, sweetheart. Now, we have to go or I’m going to have you stripped in the next two minutes. That merely took the edge off.”

  She released him and accompanied him to the door. Five minutes later, they were all going down in the elevator. Liev had smiled at her and said hello, then he’d vanished back into his book.

  The evening was beautiful. Waves of reds, oranges, and yellows floated along the horizon, bathing the land in softness. Darkness would be upon them soon. She tossed Enzo her keys and hopped in the passenger seat.

  “Where to?”

  “The Hill.”

  He seemed a bit perplexed but got them on their way. ‘The Hill’ was part of their large park—it wasn’t really a hill, but the name had stuck. People often used it for special events, like tonight, which was what she had planned on. When they reached parking, he glanced at her.

  “Something going on?”

  “Yes. Come on.”

  Enzo carried the basket while she held the blanket in her arms. Liev walked between them. Locating a place, she then spread out the large blanket. Music began playing and Enzo sat beside her. He brushed a kiss against her ear.

  “Thank you for bringing us, I
’d forgotten they were having a concert tonight.”

  “I’m glad you like it, I was a bit worried. And after,” she said, looking at Liev who was filling his plate with food, “there will be the meteor shower.”

  That grabbed his attention. His face split wide with a huge grin. She took the binoculars she’d packed for him and handed them over.

  “Thank you, Halyn,” Liev said.

  So they ate, listened to music and even danced. Her night was perfect. When the meteor shower began, lights were lowered and the music changed to something much softer. The remaining food had been packed away and she lay with her head on Enzo’s chest.

  He had an arm beneath his head and held her with his other one. Liev paid them no mind as he muttered in both Russian and English while watching the sky. Enzo ran his hand up and down her arm and nuzzled her head.

  “Are you enjoying yourself?” she asked in a hushed whisper.

  “Most definitely. I have you in my arms, my son is happier than I’ve seen him in a while and I get to see the shower. Not to mention you cooked a mean-ass meal and wicked dessert.”

  She flushed from his praise and burrowed closer. A wind had come in and cooled the night off. “I’m glad.”

  “What about you?”

  “Of course I am. Although to be honest, I could just fall asleep right here. I’m so comfortable and full. I think I ate too much.”

  “We can always work it off later.”

  “I think I’m going to have to.”

  They did, once they got back to the apartment. It was late night or early morning. Either way, Liev crashed as soon as they got to the car—Enzo had to carry him upstairs.

  Halyn left him a note as she sneaked out early, needing to get home and change for work. Pocketing her booklet, she smiled at it. She truly enjoyed this thing. There were four fewer pages in it at the moment but she had every intention of getting the most out of the remaining ones.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “Papà, why do men masturbate?”

  Orange juice spewed from his mouth and he began choking. “I’m sorry, what?” Surely he’d misheard the question. Right?

  “Masturbation. Don’t people have other things to make them happy other than that form of self-gratification?”

  Fuck, he hadn’t a clue what to say.

  Liev cocked his head to the side, his expression almost unsure. “We’re in the apartment, where you said I could ask any question.”

  Enzo cleaned up his mess with some napkins. “You can, Liev. That one just caught me a bit by surprise.” To say the least. He blew out a breath. “Where did you hear about this?”

  “Class. Some of the kids were talking about it.”

  Of course. He was with much older kids now. Shit, he’d hoped to avoid this conversation until like…ever.

  “What do you know about it?”

  “The definition.” He shrugged. “It just doesn’t seem like a productive way to spend ones time. Why do they need sexual release?”

  “It feels good at the time, so they do it.”

  “Do you do it?”

  Had he an idea his breakfast would have gone this way, he wouldn’t have got out of bed. He was in no way ready for this talk.

  “I have.”

  “Because of the release?”

  Enzo nodded, wondering how the hell he could change the subject. He couldn’t tell him not to ask, not when he’d previously told Liev he could ask anything he wanted.

  Liev shovelled more eggs into his mouth, completely undeterred by the stress the question caused his father. “So like they say about sex.”

  “Who says?”

  “Boys in class.”

  Must make a note to ask the kids in his class to stop talking about this around him. “Yes.”

  “Hmm, I thought the purpose of intercourse is to have a child.” He drank some juice. “Are you and Halyn trying to have a baby?”

  It was damn good he still hadn’t put anything in his mouth, because it would have come right back out. He moved his mouth a few times before the words would slip free. “Why would you think that?”

  “You have sex with her.”

  Lord save him from overly smart children who had no qualms about asking things. And thank the Lord he had remembered to ask it at home, not in a restaurant or some other public place. “No, we’re not.” Enzo put his fork on his plate, thinking it best he didn’t eat any more right now. “Would it bother you if we were?”

  Confusion spread across his face. “Why would I be bothered?”

  “You would have a little brother or sister.”

  “I have a say in the issue?”

  “You can voice your opinion on it. Would you like a sibling?”

  Liev shrugged. “I have cousins.”

  “You do, but would you want a brother or sister?”

  “Who is the mother going to be? Would you be going to Amber Watkins?”

  He scowled. “No. Why would you think that?”

  Liev stared at the rest of his sausage. “She says Halyn is broken and can’t have children.”

  “What?”

  All amusement at his earlier questions vanished. Pure rage flowed through him at the thought someone would have done this. Liev must have understood something was wrong—he stared at him with a deer-in-the-headlights look on his face.

  “I was getting my books from my locker and she came to pick up her son. She told me as long as you were with Halyn, I would be an only child because she was broken and couldn’t have them.”

  It was official, he was going to be a murderer. Enzo forced himself to not snap at his son. This was in no way Liev’s fault—blame belonged solely on the shoulders of Amber Watkins. And he would handle it.

  “Did you say anything to her?”

  Small shoulders lifted and fell in a slight motion. Enzo leant forward and cleared his throat.

  “Liev?”

  “Just that she shouldn’t be spiteful to another for it made her very ugly.” His gaze flew up and met Enzo’s. “I know I shouldn’t have said anything to her but…but I like Halyn.”

  “Me too, Liev.”

  “You’re not disappointed because I said something rude to Ms Watkins?”

  “No. Not a behaviour I want you to be doing a lot, but you were standing up for a friend. That’s admirable.”

  “I’m finished, may I be excused?”

  “Sure.”

  He sat there, orange juice on his shirt, and watched his son run off to the living room. Okay, apparently that masturbation discussion was over as well. Not that he was complaining. Clearing the table—Liev had already taken his dishes to the sink—Enzo walked to his bedroom and changed his shirt. After that, it was time to head to school.

  There was no sign of Amber, so he grabbed two coffees and made his way to the toy store looking for Halyn. Stacy stood behind the counter.

  “Morning, Stacy. How are classes going?”

  “Mr Cassano. They’re keeping me busy but I’m maintaining an A in all of them so I’m happy about that.” Stacy refused to call him Enzo and he’d stopped correcting her.

  “Wonderful. Keep it up and you’ll be done in no time. Halyn in yet?”

  “Had to run an errand. She should be back in a few if you’d like to wait for her in the back.” Her eyes grew wide. “Or up here, I’m sorry, that was rude of me to say it that way.”

  He waved it off. “Don’t mind if I do, thanks. I’ll just go put the coffee in the back.”

  The chime went off while he was there and he returned to the front.

  “Mr Cassano is here to see you, Halyn. He’s in the back.”

  “Thank you, Stacy.”

  He paused by an aisle and waited for her to come into view. She did and his breath caught in his throat. Beauty epitomised, in his opinion. Nothing fake on this woman, and he hoped to God that never changed. Her black slacks and a pale beige shirt offset her figure perfectly and even with flats she appeared a bit taller. Her hair, all those e
nticing curls, bounced with every step she took.

  “Hey,” she said, a grin spreading across her face.

  “Hey, yourself. I brought you coffee.”

  “Ohh, my elixir. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I meant to stop and get some more but I ran out of time.” She stopped and pushed up on her toes to kiss him. “What are you doing here?”

  He followed her to the back where she sat and took a large gulp of the drink he’d brought. Her expression morphed into one denoting orgasmic bliss. A sexy purr slipped from her throat and he squeezed his eyes shut briefly. His cock stirred as he watched her enjoying the drink. Curling his fingers around his cup, he took deep breaths and forced himself to not jump her. Since when had drinking coffee in the back of a shop become so damn sexy? He hadn’t a clue, but it was.

  There’d been a reason he’d come, but right now all he could envision was laying her across that desk and stepping between her spread thighs. Filling her full with his hard cock and pounding her until they both came hard and fast.

  “Just wanted to see you.”

  More coffee disappeared. “Didn’t I just see you yesterday?”

  “That was yesterday. This is today.” They didn’t usually have the opportunity to see one another every day. He’d love it if they could, but schedules just didn’t allow it.

  “So it is. How’s Liev today?”

  “He asked me about masturbation this morning over breakfast. And why men did it.”

  Halyn burst into laughter. Eyes watering, she hunched over and fought for breath. “Wish I would have been a fly on the wall for that one. I can just see it. The serious expression on his face and… Oh, God to see your face.”

  He crossed his arms and waited for her to finish howling. Eventually she sat back up and wiped her eyes.

  “What’d you say to him? And how the hell does he know about that?”

  “Boys in his class were talking about it. I forget he’s up with much older kids. I will have to have a chat with them about being a bit more cautious about the words they speak in front of Liev.”

  “Yes. What’d you say to him? Nothing you need to worry about for years to come?”

  “Wish I could have. He wanted to know why men did it when there were other ways to find gratification.”