by April Lust
I didn’t recognize the bartender. She was a cute petite girl with a crop of black hair and tattoos all over her arms. She flashed me a smile and I saw that she was adorable, but seemed too high-maintenance. I envisioned the two of us in bed, her clutching the Kama Sutra and barking out commands like a mistress.
“Hey, baby,” she called in a friendly tone. “Can I get you somethin’?”
I shook my head. “Is Caroline around?”
The girl frowned. “Who?”
“Caroline,” I called in a louder voice. I mimed big curves as I talked. “She was built like a brick house,” I said in a joking tone. The girl frowned at me. “Sorry,” I said. “Anyway, red hair. Green eyes. Kind of feisty-looking.”
The girl nodded. Her demeanor towards me had cooled noticeably. “Oh, her,” she said. “Yeah, she got laid off a few days back. Budget cuts and all that.”
That was when I realized the girl was familiar. “Wait, you’re Eddie’s older daughter,” I said, feeling like an ass. “I didn’t recognize you.” The only reason I could recognize her was from the faded photos clipped to the back of the bar. In them, she gallivanted around, six years younger and with pigtails.
“Yeah,” she said, her face darkening. “That’s me.”
I rolled my eyes and turned back to the crowd. Laid off? Then what the fuck was she doing in a jewelry store?
Something wasn’t right here. I scratched my head as I tried to figure it out. She didn’t seem like the type to stage a grand burglary of a chichi jewelry store. It just didn’t add up.
The next morning, I woke up alone, thankfully, and took a long shower before heading over to Tinder’s. I wasn’t working that day, but I wanted to hang out for a while and see if she’d show up. Sure enough, I’d only been waiting on my bike for about half an hour when she waltzed up, dressed to the nines, and carrying a designer bag.
Frowning, I followed her inside. The guard on duty nodded to me. “Hey, man, what’re you up to? You’re off today, right?”
I nodded. Suddenly, it didn’t seem like a good idea to tell anyone else about my suspicions. “Yeah,” I said. “I just wanted to see if my paycheck came in.”
The guard started laughing. “Carson, you’re dumb as a post,” he told me. “You know payday is Friday, right?”
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, whatever,” I said. There was a large crowd of people inspecting engagement rings, and Caroline breezed right past them onto the more expensive sets. She was wearing this killer fuchsia silk dress that ended with a slit in the back. I found myself tracing the slit up her back, imagining how delectable her ass would be. Stop it , I thought to myself. This chick might be trouble .
From a distance, I watched as she leaned over the glass counter and started flirting with one of our clerks. He grinned at her and happily reached inside the case, pulling out a black velvet display glinting with diamonds and emeralds. Stepping close, I pretended to be interested in a watch so I could listen to their conversation.
“This is gorgeous,” Caroline gushed. She looked up at the clerk and fanned herself a little. “I think it’s getting hot in here,” she teased. “Or maybe it’s just the diamonds!”
He laughed politely and removed the necklace from the display backing. “This would be beautiful on you,” he told her. “You want to see?”
Caroline grinned. “Oh, I couldn’t,” she simpered. I rolled my eyes. “But I really want to,” she said in a breathy tone. I practically saw the clerk’s boner rise from where I was standing. “Can you fasten it for me?”
“Sure,” the clerk said with a wolfish smile. I watched as Caroline lifted her hair up in a voluptuous pile on top of her head. She leaned over and winked at the clerk, making him blush. After their little display was over, I walked over and looked down into the case.
“That’s beautiful,” I told Caroline. “But don’t you think emeralds would set off your dress?”
When she recognized me, a hot flush spread over her face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said. Her voice faltered once and I smiled evenly, like I hadn’t even noticed. “This is the most beautiful thing I’ve seen,” she said, trailing her hand over the diamonds. “Just like something my mother used to have.” She looked up at me, and it was clear that she wasn’t going to reference the other night. I sighed.
“Are you shopping for your mother?” I smiled at her. “That’s so sweet of you.”
She blushed again and stammered when she opened her mouth. “No, no. I’m just looking today.”
The clerk behind the counter looked thoroughly confused. “Ma’am, is there something else you’d like to see? Can I show you any of our other pieces?”
Caroline shook her head more emphatically than she needed to. “No,” she chirped. “I’m fine.”
“Can I walk you out?” I turned to her.
She bit her lip. “Sure,” she said carefully, a touch of her old confidence coming back. “Of course you can.”
I extended my arm and she looped hers through, resting her pale fingers on my skin. When she touched me, a bolt of desire shot through my loins. It was tempting to just hike up her skirt and take her right then and there, fogging up the glass display cases with the heat from our bodies.
Caroline tilted her head up towards mine. Her green eyes sparkled in the sun. “What are you doing here today?” she asked pleasantly. “It’s your day off,” she added.
I nodded. “It is, but sometimes I like to stop in and make sure everything’s going well. You know. Old habit.”
She bit her lip. “Sure,” she said. “Well, I have to be going.” She mimed a yawn and stretched her arms high over her head. Her breasts pushed at the front of her silk dress like melons and I felt my cock twitch as I thought about burying my face in her cleavage. “I have a long shift ahead of me tonight.”
I looked at her. Her face gave no indication she was lying; was it possible that they hadn’t told her about laying her off yet? But even if they hadn’t, it didn’t seem likely that a girl like her would be haunting a jewelry store for two days in a row. It wasn’t as though she’d shown up and asked for an application.
“I bet,” I said carefully. “So you like tending bar?”
She wrinkled her nose. Damn, she’s a good liar , I thought. I was almost awed. “It’s okay,” she said, pursing her plump lips. “It’s not really ideal.”
I looked down at her. “No, I wouldn’t think so,” I said. There was a beat of silent awkwardness between us. “Well, I have to get going. Bye, Caroline.”
She nodded. “Bye,” she called out.
I was going to offer her a ride, but first I wanted to see what she’d do. She walked away and then turned around about fifty feet later. When she saw that I was watching her, she waved again. The next time she looked around, I saw that she was checking the street to cross. She snuck one final glance back in my direction. She was far enough away that I couldn’t read her face, but it looked like irritation and panic.
Caroline walked up to the bus station and sat down on the bench. Shaking my head, I got on my bike and drove off. Something very weird was going on here, and I was starting to think that maybe she really was involved in something bad.
Chapter Six
Caroline
Just when I thought I’d managed to shake him, I spotted him again in the rearview mirror of the bus. He was following the bus on his motorcycle, about five cars behind. Just long enough to follow without having to pass every time the bus made a stop. I watched as he dutifully slowed and resumed following.
Every nerve in my body was on fire with panic. I had no idea what I’d done to make him follow me. He’d only seen me twice; in the bar and in the jewelry store. He had no idea what I was up to.
Or does he? I thought with a wave of anxiety. Shit. This could be bad .
Of course it was just my fucking luck that this random dude would be the same guy who’d hit on me the other night. When I first saw him, he looked so different that I hadn’t
recognized him. I’d almost wanted to blurt out, “What are you doing here?” as though he was up to no good, when in fact it was really me. I winced as the bus got emptier and emptier. Leaning to the side, I saw that he was still following me.
My stop was coming up soon. I’d parked in a garage a fair amount of space away from Tinder’s so I could give myself an alibi. But I wouldn’t be able to do that if jerkface kept following me! I wanted to cry and beat my fists against my lap in frustration. It wasn’t fair! I had to do this. I had to. If I didn’t, I’d be homeless.
I frowned. My stop came up and I bit my lip; better for him to follow me to my car than catch me looping around to avoid him. My heart was beating in my chest like a scared rabbit. As I climbed off the bus, I kept my gaze fixed straight ahead on the parking garage. It was some rotten luck that my first day “working” for Lucas I got tailed. It made me feel even more hopeless than before. Maybe I should just give in and move into a box.
When I turned my head around, the coast was clear. Relief flooded my body like adrenaline. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. It was just a coincidence. That was all. Relax, Caroline , I ordered myself. Everything will be fine now. It was just random chance, and you’re fine. Just don’t go back when he’s working .
The parking garage seemed eerily empty for this time of day. I was shocked to remember that everyone else was likely working; it was during the week, after all. Tears came to my eyes. I felt so useless, so terrible. The only thing good was that I didn’t have anyone left to disappoint.
In the light of day, my car seemed dingier than ever. It was missing a taillight and one of the side mirrors, and there was a long scrape on the side that was starting to rust. I’d meant to get it fixed when I still had money, but one thing kept happening after another. Eventually, I told myself that I’d do it later, but rent always came first. And now this; I didn’t have two quarters to rub together, much less a few hundred for a complete revamp of my car. My hand was shaking as I unlocked the door. I couldn’t wait to get home and take a long bath. Something. Anything to distract me from how horrible this feeling of panic was.
“Wait,” I heard a sharp voice say, and turned around, frightened. It was that guy, the sexy blond with the facial scruff.
“Shit,” I muttered under my breath. He came closer and I saw that he was wearing a friendly but cautious smile. “What’s up?” I called out.
He kept walking towards me with a casual smile toying at his lips. “I just wanted to chat,” he said. “You know, you didn’t act like you knew me in there. What’s up with that?”
I narrowed my eyes. “So now I have to act like we know each other?” I frowned. “I barely know you. We talked for, like, five seconds one night. I don’t really think that qualifies as ‘knowing’ each other.”
He laughed, an easy, relaxed sound. “Relax,” he told me. “Seriously, I’m not trying to make you sweat. I just wanted to know why. That’s all.”
When he stepped closer, a scent of musk and cologne washed over me. It was like being around a very powerful, very male animal. “Sorry. I’m feeling a little cagey right now.”
Carson stared at me with a gaze that could have melted ice. “I get that,” he said carefully. “But I think there’s something else at play here.” He leaned closer and the scent was stronger than before. A thrill of arousal shot through my body, mixing with the fear that I felt. “I think you pretended not to notice me on purpose.”
I looked away. “You’re being ridiculous,” I said finally. “I wouldn’t have done that. Like I said, there wasn’t any point.” I tried to get in my car but he stepped around me quickly and blocked my way.
Carson shook his head. “You can’t lie,” he said softly. “Don’t you think it’s better if you own up to the truth right now?”
“There’s nothing going on,” I said in frustration. “Can you move? I really need to get inside my car. Please. I’m going to be late.”
“For what?” Carson looked at me and smirked. “For work?”
“Yes,” I said quickly. “For work. I really want to take a nap before I go in, and now I don’t think I’ll have time.”
Carson chuckled. He shook his head. “That’s just it,” he said slowly, drawing his gaze up my body. Despite the panic I felt, I shivered with desire. “I don’t think you will be late.”
My mouth went dry. “What? Why not?” I narrowed my eyes. “Some of us like to be on time, you know.”
He stared at me. “Caroline, you’re not gonna be late, because you’re not going in.”
“Of course I am,” I told him loudly. “I work there.”
Carson laughed. It was a short, humorless sound. “Caroline, cut the shit,” he said in a tired voice. “We both know that you don’t. You were laid off on Friday night.”
I blinked. My throat felt tight and tears came to my eyes. I opened my mouth to speak and no words came out. “I don’t know what to say,” I said softly. “Why are you doing this?”
Carson raked his veiny hands through his thick hair. “Because I think you’re keeping something from me,” he growled. “And I don’t like being lied to, Caroline. Not at all.”
“I’m not lying,” I whined.
Carson shook his head. He made a fist and slammed it against the side of my car. “You are. And I’m going to get to the bottom of this.”
Before I could say anything, he stalked off, brushing against me with his body. Under his clothes, he felt rock-solid. As I watched him walk away, part of me was relieved, but part of me found myself wishing that he would come back. I swallowed hard and realized that my heart was pounding in my chest. I didn’t know what he wanted with me. But the longer he looked at me, the more he stared, I found myself captivated.
He was gorgeous. Muscular, tan, roguish. That smile he had was one of the most charming things I’d ever seen. And even though he’d terrified me, I couldn’t help but secretly wish to see him again. It had been so long since I’d been with someone for longer than one night; but when I closed my eyes and thought of Carson, I realized that we’d have a lot to keep us busy. Much more than one night’s worth. Weeks of nights, maybe. I blushed scarlet red as I imagined him taking me from behind, painfully raw, making me scream and blush and cry out as he penetrated me harder. Arousal flooded my body and I felt my panties start to get wet. The silk dress started to feel more sensual than before. I shook my head to rid myself of the raunchy images. No, there was no way that was going to happen. Not a snowball’s chance in hell.
Carson, what are you doing to me ?
Chapter Seven
Carson
“Damn her!” I growled under my breath as I ran out of the parking garage to where my bike was stashed. “What a sneaky little bitch!”
Still, the image of her in my mind was pleasing enough. In it, she got to her hands and knees in that damn silk sheath dress and crawled around until I was rock hard in my jeans. That generous mouth of hers…goddamn she knew how to give me some lip. I can give her some lip, too, I thought nastily. Boy could I ever give her some lip . Caroline wasn’t the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen, but she might have been one of the sexiest. There was something about her knowing green gaze, her generous mouth that set me on fire. I hated that I was having these kind of thoughts about her, especially since I was suspicious. But between that tight, curvy body and her face…damn! It could really do something to a man. I couldn’t look at her without thinking about running my hands all over her body. Pinching, pawing, squeezing, slapping, tickling…her skin just looked so incredible. I wanted to bring her to the heights of pleasure and then make her beg for my cock. Just thinking about the expression on her face as she begged me to fuck her was almost enough to make me come. And every part of her body was so sensual—even her knees were arousing. Even the curve of her armpit held some secret world that I wanted to tear apart.
Plus, she seemed all-too-aware of her charms. Women were cute when they were modest, but there was something breathtaking ab
out the kind of woman who knew what power they held. A woman who knew her skill was one of the best partners you could have. And I had a feeling that Caroline had taken a lot of time to hone her “skill.”
Even the way she walked drove me mad; it was a sensual hip-swinging sway with just a little bit of wiggle at the end. I groaned inwardly as I imagined throwing her on her belly and ripping her panties away. She’d almost surely be wet, and I wanted to plunge my tongue inside her pussy and lick until she was screaming for me to stop. I loved the round globes of her ass and imagined running my teeth over each cheek. Biting would be exquisite. I bet that she had a beautiful asshole. Shit, I bet that everything about her body was nothing less than perfect. I licked my lips. She was one hot, dangerous little number. And if I had my way, I was going to make her mine.