by Catori, Ava
Tracing his body again, just letting her fingers run over his skin, she found her hand back to where it started, back on his shaft. Slowly she wrapped her fingers around him again. This time she’d take him all the way, only this time it would be her choosing.
His sighs and moans filled the air as the orgasm ripped through him. His seed shot out, a milky liquid that hit his belly. Graham opened his eyes and turned to Kendle. “You didn’t have to.” He kissed her forehead softly.
“I know.” It seemed the least she could do after he took her back in.
She climbed out of bed and headed to the shower. Getting in, the hot water caressed her skin and washed away her woes of the day. Her nightmares vanished once she got here, and for the first time in a long time she had solid sleep.
Getting out of the shower, she pulled a towel around herself. The soft, absorbent cotton wicked water from her skin. She pulled it closer to her face and breathed in. It had a clean, fresh scent. It wasn’t overpowered with bleach like her scratchy motel towels. Kendle wrapped the towel around her hair, and went to get dressed.
Graham watched her naked body move through the bedroom. “You should come back to bed.”
“I have to work.”
“You don’t have to. I have enough to keep you comfortable for a while.”
“I need to. Stavros is expecting me.”
On hearing his name, his stomach clenched. How many times had her hand been wrapped around his penis? “Why don’t you stay with me for the day? I’m sure he could get by for another day.”
Kendle slid on her shoes. “I can’t. I’ll come back, but I have to go to work soon.”
“Very well.” He watched the girl move. He’d never wanted to consume somebody more. Let me love you. Let me in. His own need to love and be love startled him. He’d been alone for a long time, and didn’t think he needed anyone. He was wrong. He needed Kendle. There was no rhyme or reason to why she was the one, but he felt it with every fiber of his body. She was the key to his desires, at least for now. He’d been known to change his wants at the drop of a hat.
“I’ll have my driver drop you off.”
“Thank you.” She appreciated the ease of the car over walking that far. It was a rare treat to get a ride.
“Will you come back tonight?”
“Yes.” Her words were soft, but solid.
“I’ll look forward to seeing you. Call me when you’re ready. I’ll have my driver come get you.”
Chapter 15
The long black car pulled up to Fifth and Main. Graham lowered the window and spoke to the girl standing on the corner. “Are you Cree?”
“You’re that guy, the one who tackled Franco. You shouldn’t be here.”
“I’d like to buy some of your time.” He flashed a stack of bills.
She stood and stared. She’d be a fool to turn down that much cash. “What do you want from me?”
“I want to talk.”
Cree shrugged. She had nothing to lose. “Yeah, okay.”
Graham handed her the money as she climbed in.
“You want me to blow you or something while you’re talking?”
“No. I want to discuss your sister.”
Cree turned to look out the window. The soft leather of the seat complimented the dark windows. You couldn’t see in from outside. She had nothing to say.
“I want to help her,” he continued.
“Then help her. You don’t need me.”
“The key to her happiness is you.”
She sat quietly.
“She worries about you. She says you won’t come inside.”
“I can take care of myself,” Cree said stubbornly.
“What if you had a safe place?”
She shook her head. “I don’t need your money.”
“You could lock the door. You’d have hot water, a place to cook food, a soft bed…”
She was listening, but knew there’d be a catch.
“I’ve made arrangements at the local resident hotel. It’s usually for business people traveling. I got you a room. It’s yours for an entire year. It’s like a studio apartment. It has a small kitchenette, a sofa, a bed, a bathroom, hot water. It’s yours.”
“What do you want from me?”
“I’m in love with your sister. The only way to help her is to help you. She’s trapped in her guilt and pain, for not being able to help you. Getting you off the street frees her. Won’t you at least consider it for Kendle? You’re everything to her.”
Cree rubbed her arm and twisted to look away.
“You could work at the truck stop, maybe even take Kendle’s position. She’ll be busy with other things. It’s a start, a way to build a new life.”
“I don’t want a new life. I want to forget the life I have.”
“She told me. She told me everything.”
Cree was silent. After a few moments, she spoke. “It has a lock on the door?”
Graham reassured her, “Only you will have the key. It’s yours. No questions asked. I want nothing from you. I’m simply trying to free Kendle from the mental hell she’s stuck in worrying about you. Do it for your sister.” He held up a key.
Cree reached out for it. “I can’t promise anything.”
“I paid for the entire year. What you choose to do after that is up to you.”
She didn’t know what to say. It was more than anyone had ever done before. She choked on the words, forcing them out. “Thank you.” Her words were soft. “Take care of Kendle.”
“Will you come to dinner? She’d love to see you.”
Cree shook her head. “I have to work.”
“I’ve more than paid for your day. There are a few hundreds tucked under the twenties.”
She turned back to look at him. “She really means that much to you?”
“Yeah, she does. I think we can save each other.”
“Dinner?”
He nodded. “That’s all I’m asking. Let her know you’ve got a safe place to stay. Then you’re free to go.”
She nodded in response. “For Kendle.”
The afternoon left Kendle lost in thought. The way he held her when she slept, being pressed against his warm body… she liked it. He seemed to like her being around. Maybe there could be something there in the future. She certainly wouldn’t make any promises. She couldn’t. She didn’t have much left to give. She was an empty shell.
It was a long day. Too many people were short changing her with tips, were reaching for her, and Stavros got into another fight with Gina. Only this time they didn’t kiss and make-up. He was holding a grudge. His grumpy demeanor made the day more sluggish than usual.
On arriving home, she unlocked her motel room and dropped down on the bed. A nap would do her good. She was supposed to see Graham, but the bed looked so inviting. She’d call him tomorrow, or maybe later. Just an hour, just to close her eyes…
Kendle rolled over and looked at the clock. How had she been asleep that long? On waking, she saw the phone was blinking. She must have slept through it ringing. Everything was catching up with her. She was exhausted.
Dialing in to get her message, it was Graham. “I’ve invited your sister for dinner. She’s here. I didn’t hear from you. Call me.”
Cree? Kendle dialed quickly, anxious for Graham to pick up.
“Kendle?” He answered on the first ring.
Kendle was in shock. “She’s there? How did you…is she really there?”
“She is. Can I send my car for you?”
“Yes. How did you get her there?”
“I’m a paying customer,” he started.
Kendle’s stomach lurched. “What?” The color drained from her face.
“No, no, wait! Not like that. I simply paid for her time, not for sexual favors.”
“Oh. And she came with you?” Relief washed through her.
“She wants to help you.”
“Help me? How can she help me?”
“I’ll
send my driver.”
Kendle was confused. Not only was her sister at Graham’s place, but she wanted to help Kendle. Help her… what?
When Graham’s driver arrived, Kendle was more than ready. As they pulled up to the building, Kendle was chomping at the bit. Was Cree really there? She could barely contain herself.
Walking in, she found her sister curled up on the sofa, a blanket wrapped around her. Kendle’s heart lifted like a hot air balloon, so full of love. “Cree!”
“Hey.” A smile spread across her lips.
“What’s going on? You’re here!”
“Just for a little while.” She didn’t want to get too comfortable.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” Cree nodded.
Kendle turned to Graham, and ran into his arms. It surprised them both. “Thank you.”
Graham wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. Her hair brushed his cheek as he rested his head against hers. Graham took a deep breath, and lingered in the moment. His heart leaped as she came into his arms, no prying, no begging, no pleading…but of her own free will.
As he let go, Kendle returned her attention to Cree. “What’s going on?”
“Graham and I have been talking.”
“And…?”
“And… he’s convinced me to go inside. He put me up at some place. It has a lock on the door.” That was the highlight in her eyes.
“Is this true?” She faced Graham.
“I put her up at the Executive Suites downtown. She’ll have a studio there. I paid for a full year. She can decide what she wants to do after that. But at least she’ll have a warm place to sleep.”
“And you agreed?” Kendle was shocked. She’d been begging her sister to move to the motel with her for ages.
“It’s time.” She shrugged.
“I’ve been so worried about you…” Kendle trailed off. “You’re really coming inside?”
“Maybe there’s more to life, right? I’m not ready to quit, but a hot shower would be nice.”
“What changed your mind?”
She nodded to Graham. “He did.”
“How?”
Graham shrugged. “I guess I have a way with words.” He brushed it off.
“This is really happening?” Kendle couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“Yep, she already has the key.”
Kendle sighed. She felt like a weight dropped off her shoulders. An elephant climbed off of her chest, and for the first time in ages, she could truly breathe. It was a step forward in the right direction.
The conversation didn’t flow, but it didn’t need to between the girls. Being together in a regular environment, it felt like they’d won the lottery.
As Cree stood to leave, she turned to Graham. “It’s really mine?”
He nodded. “For a full year, yes.”
“Thank you.” She didn’t know how she could repay him, though he told her it wasn’t necessary. Nobody had ever done something like that for her.
“Would you like my driver to take you home?”
She shook her head. “I need to collect some things first.”
“He can take you.”
“No, I’ll be okay. And thanks again.”
Cree stood before Kendle. “He cares a lot about you. Trust that.” She hugged her sister, and headed out.
Kendle turned to Graham. “Is that true?”
“It’s true.”
A soft smile spread across her lips.
Chapter 16
She wasn’t sure what love felt like. She’d never been in love before. But what was washing through her, overwhelming her with warmth, it had to be close. The sacrifice he made for her sister, setting her up, paying for the year…he did it for her.
Kendle looked to Graham with stars in her eyes. The sun could rise and set on him at that very moment. She hadn’t been this happy since…she couldn’t remember when. All she wanted was her sister off the streets. She wanted her to come inside, and somehow Graham made it happen. She’d be safer, warmer, cleaner, and maybe ready to make a change. Together they could do anything. They’d survived this long, gotten this far, and now with Graham’s help, they’d come even further.
“Thank you,” she whispered, looking to the man of the hour. “I can’t even begin to tell you what this means to me.” She wanted to cry. Wanted to shed tears of happiness, but they were trapped inside. She’d been numb for so long, it was hard to let go of that control.
Graham ran his thumb over Kendle’s lips. Did he dare scare her away by kissing her? The look in her eyes said it was worth trying. Silence crackled in the air between them. One single kiss. Graham lowered his head and tenderly brushed his lips against Kendle’s mouth. Parting her lips, she welcomed his attention.
Her heart thundered loudly, beating fast and hard. Every sound echoed, every moment slowed. His warm mouth tasting her, needing her, asking for the same in return, and carrying her to an island of pleasure. For the first time in as long as Kendle could remember, she got lost in a kiss. One single kiss. She’d never wanted that kiss more.
Graham’s firm grip on the back of her neck pulled her in closer. Pressing her body to his, he loosened his grip and raked his fingers through her hair. To make love to her…there would be time for that later. He couldn’t rush this, couldn’t push her, this was more than he thought she’d offer. One single kiss. It meant so much more than he ever imagined. He needed her kiss, her desire. He needed her acceptance.
One single kiss. Her body tingled with electricity, a fire burning through her, a desire she never knew taking her over. This man that had pulled her sister in from outside, the man who wanted to love her, to help her, and to help her sister…he was beckoning her to come to him. She was all his.
Her words were like sparks of fire, an ember burning, and on hearing them Graham was taken back. They were unexpected.
“Make love to me,” she whispered.
“Are you sure?” He pulled back and looked into Kendle’s eyes. The pain, the fear, it was gone. There was warmth, reassurance, and a hunger waiting to be satiated. She needed him, needed to feel him within her. For the first time in forever, she was ready to feel something, and she wanted it to be him.
Graham lowered his mouth back to Kendle’s and drank her in. Her kisses were like the sweetest honey. His body stirred below, wanting to be unleashed. With each kiss, his manhood surged with desire, his erection pushing hard against his pants. He couldn’t rush things, though. He needed to go slowly.
Dropping his hand to hers, he led her down the hallway to the bedroom. Standing before her, Graham gently unbuttoned Kendle’s shirt, his fingers large against the small buttons. As he opened each one, she watched his hands move slowly and methodically. Graham slid his hands under the material of her shirt and shifted it over her shoulders, letting it drop.
Kendle started to lock up. Relax. Not now, don’t shut down now. She steeled herself and closed her eyes. She wanted to be here, wanted this.
His fingers drew lazily down her arms. Clasping his hands to hers, he squeezed gently, letting her know it would be okay.
Kendle looked up at the man before her, her lips parted, her heart in her throat. The anxiety rushed through her, but as she focused on her breathing, she kept it under control. Graham’s lips were back on her, tasting her, kissing her, making her his own. His mouth was wet and warm, his tongue exploring, and his touch was as tender as could be. His fingers barely grazed across her skin and slid to her face, cupping her, kissing her, needing her.
He wanted to tear her clothes off, be inside her, feel her warm body moving with his, but knew he had to take his time. A raw urgency within him pushed for more, harder, faster. Graham focused on the woman before him, trying to chase the thoughts of animalistic passion away.
She trusted him. She opened to him. If he let her down, it would be over. They had to move slowly.
His hands cupped her shoulders, and again he drew his hands down her arms
. His fingers danced up her back. He wanted to touch every inch of her skin, to know her, to consume her, to cherish her. Could she love him back?
Kendle closed her eyes and got lost in his movements, his hands caressing her skin, delicate yet reassuring. He moved slowly, but with purpose. Why had he chosen her? How could he feel so strongly this quickly? Why was she forced to question it? Kendle forced the thoughts out of her head, and followed his finger’s movements with her mind.
His fingers traced the edges of her bra straps. She wished she had frilly, fancy lingerie, but all she owned was an ugly bra or two she’d grabbed at a discount store. He didn’t seem to notice or care, but she did. She wanted to feel pretty.
Graham slid his thumb under one of the shoulder straps and pulled it gently over her shoulder. His mouth moved to the newly exposed skin and dotted kisses on her shoulder. Her skin was salty, and her scent was of soap.
Kendle tilted her neck, allowing him the space in the nook between her neck and shoulder. Exposed and vulnerable, she invited him in. Graham’s mouth moved to the tender spot, and with a soft murmur she told him what he needed to know. She was truly present with him, not tucked away vacantly numb, lost in her thoughts.
Graham’s lips suckled her sweet skin, drawing another murmur from her. His hands moved lower, helping her unbutton the pants that she wore. Slowly, he pulled at the teeth of the zipper, opening it. With the gap in her slacks, he slipped his fingers near her waistband and started to slide them over her hips.
Her body got rigid, stiff. She wanted to relax, let go, enjoy the moment, but old habits die hard.
“Shh, it’s alright,” he whispered, his hands pushing the fabric lower.
Kendle exhaled deeply and nodded quietly. Together they moved forward. Stepping out of her pants, she pushed them to the side along with her shoes. It’s okay. He won’t hurt you.
Graham unfastened her bra and let it drop to the floor. Her pert nipples stood at attention, hardened from arousal. Barely moving, Graham let his hand slide slowly around a bit at a time until he reached her breast. Cupping her gently, he took pleasure in feeling her delicate skin.