Up All Night Long: From Lust to Love (Romance Anthology)

by Ali Parker

  "I know. I just wish I could be normal. Have a normal life without being worried all the time about who's behind me waiting to slit my throat or bust me for something I didn't do."

  Marcus glanced over at her, his hand reaching to brush the back of her hair. "You want to go home with me tonight? Stay with me and let me hold you?"

  "No, that doesn't help. Just makes me think about things I can't have."

  "Kate."

  "I don't want to have this conversation. I just spent the night being interviewed for gunning down a teenage boy that was in love with me. I'm not talking about your commitment issues and my unwillingness to accept an open relationship. Not happening."

  "Fair enough. You sure you want to go home?"

  "More than sure." She turned to look back out the window, not wanting to cry in front of him again. They had enough hurt between the two of them that they didn't need to hurt each other again. They would never be anything and she was honestly good with that, but on a night like this one... how badly she wanted companionship, a man to hold her who loved her. Someone to protect her from the world, from the cops... from herself.

  They pulled up to the club, Kate reaching back to grab her stuff. She dug her keys from her pants pocket and opened the door.

  "You want to get dressed first?"

  "No. I'm just going up to the apartment. No one will pay me much attention."

  Marcus turned and looked out toward the street, tons of people moving about. "You're kidding me right? It's packed out here. There are people everywhere. The number of horny men outweighs the number of fish in the sea. You're not getting out like that."

  "Good night, my friend. I'll see you tomorrow afternoon. We can go over the numbers and make orders for the next two weeks. Don't let me forget Mardi Gras is upon us. Let's stock up for that."

  "Kate. I'm serious. I'm as hard as a rock because you're in your fucking panties in my car. You're not shaking your ass in front of Bourbon Street."

  She leaned over and kissed his cheek, her fingers brushing over his thigh and by his erection. A smile lifted her lips as sadness beckoned her to pale away from anything warm.

  "You're not my daddy and you don't care enough to be more than an occasional lover, so you don't get a say in what I do." She kissed his cheek again and got out of the car, the growl following her of no concern at all. They would fuck when she needed him or he needed her. It was their arrangement, or his rather.

  He made his bed with her and now he could lie in it - alone.

  Chapter 4

  Jon

  The drizzle from the heavens was more than appropriate as he wrapped his arm around his mother's shoulders, walking toward the church with her. A large black umbrella hovered over them, the wind threatening to take it from him any minute.

  "You don't have to go with me, Johnny. I know you're not really a church goer." She glanced over at him, her brown hair an odd tint, always had been.

  "It's all right, mom. I've been so busy lately, that getting over to see you has been difficult. I'm barely sleeping thanks to the job."

  "World's going to hell in a hand-basket. It's the devil. Plain and simple."

  "I agree. Bastard."

  "Watch your mouth." She glanced over at him, her lips pursing.

  He released her and moved to hold the door for her, moving the umbrella to keep her dry. She slipped into the church and he worked to get the umbrella down before realizing an elderly lady was headed his way without one. He popped it back up and jogged toward her, moving to hold it over her head.

  "Your hair looks far too pretty to let the rain get to ya." He winked at her as the elderly woman blushed. She could be his grandmother's age if the sweet little lady was still alive.

  "Well isn't this my lucky day. I wish it rained all the time. Just have you follow me around everywhere. I'd be the talk of the town." She giggled as Jon smiled. He held the door and let her get inside.

  "I'd do it to." He winked at her as she laughed again.

  Dropping the umbrella in a large bin at the front of the church, his mood shifted. It was the candles burning up front in reminder of the deceased, or maybe the soft sound of the choir singing of the promises to come. Something ushered in a sadness of the conversation ahead of him, a reminder that nothing would be the same. Adam was dead.

  He walked toward his mom and sat down beside her, adjusting his tie to not choke him so much. She glanced over at him as he slipped his arm behind her and leaned back, focusing on the front of the church. He wasn't interested in answering her silent questions just yet. They could talk later. His stomach turned at the thought.

  The pastor moved up to the pulpit as Jon's eyes glazed over and memories took over. So many nights he and Adam had stayed up late, Jon trying to scare Adam with stories, or burp louder than each other. So many times Jon had tried to tell his little brother of his own dicked up experiences so that maybe Adam would be wiser with his decisions.

  Everything changed when Dad died.

  "God didn't make you judge over the world. He is the supreme redeemer and he alone will judge each of us. You have no place or right to impose your subjugation of those around you. You deserve death for your sins as do the rest of us." The pastor pounded the pulpit as Jon came to, the man's words stinging him. He needed to see more on this woman that was with Adam the night before.

  Was she a good Samaritan? Just there to help while he bled to death? Did Adam know her? Did he seek her out?

  "That's ridiculous," Jon mumbled. His mom reached over and popped him, as a few people around them turned to look back at him. "Sorry."

  He glanced toward his mother and shrugged, his thoughts making their way out for all to hear. Jon focused on the choir, trying to keep himself locked in the present. His desire to know what this woman looked like tugged him away again. His partner on the force said she was gorgeous, a looker for sure.

  That didn't matter, but it wouldn't hurt anything either. He hadn't paid much attention to anyone for the last few years. Climbing to the top of the ladder at the police station was all that mattered. He bled his lust out in the gym, working his body to fatigue day in and day out.

  Whether or not the girl was attractive was irrelevant. He needed to find his brother's killer and she was either it, or knew something about it. Something inside of him purred at the truth of his thoughts.

  "Do you want to come to the house and have lunch with me?" Jon's mother reached for the umbrella, taking it from him as they walked to the car. He bumped his head on it a few times before taking it back and grumbling at her.

  "I can't. I have to meet Seth." He stopped by her car and reached out to touch her arm. "Mom, I need to talk to you about something."

  "Is it Adam again? That boy never stops getting in trouble. He has to know that God is saddened by his actions."

  "I don't know about all that, but he was in a shooting last night."

  "Oh no. Did he kill someone?" His mother lifted her hand to her face, her eyes wide, fingers over her thin lips.

  "No mom. Someone was shooting at him. I think he got wrapped up in drugs and owed someone money."

  "Was he hit?" She paled visibly. "Is he in the hospital?"

  "He didn't make it, mom." Jon reached out and touched her arm as she wavered. "Let me take you home."

  "No. I'm going to be fine. I just need to process this. I knew he was due punishment for his actions. I just kept praying that God would give him another chance."

  "Mom, I'm pretty sure that God doesn't punish people by offing them. This was just some really bad guys looking for their money."

  "Of course God does. Your brother got what was coming to him. If he just would have repented." The first sign of tears was welcomed. Jon reached out and hugged her, not willing to fight about it.

  She and her condemning Jesus were half the reason his brother ran away from home so early. He could never do right, never measure up. The God his mother knew was nothing like the one Jon studied in the Bible as a boy or
debated with the guys on the force about. She had it all wrong, but no one would tell her that. It would be a waste of time and breath.

  "I love you. I'll call you later. You sure you're going to be okay?"

  "My baby died a long time ago, Jon. I haven't seen Adam in three or four years." She wiped the tears from her eyes. "He's in a better place for sure, at least I hope he is."

  "I'm sure he is, mom. Call if you need me." Jon turned and swallowed his response to her words. He didn't stop by or call much because she had turned her faith into a weapon, a sword that sliced deep and took no prisoners.

  It wasn't Adam he was worried about ending up in heaven and knowing God. It was his mom.

  "So, how did it go?" Seth leaned back in the booth they sat in, his soda in his hand, a pensive look on his face.

  "Much better than I thought it would. I guess I expected her to lose her shit or act like she cared a little."

  "Your sixty-something-year-old mother didn't care that your baby brother got murdered last night?" Seth raised his eyebrow and snorted. "That's fucked up, dude."

  "She's a little off sometimes. I think it will hit her later." Jon picked up the menu as the waitress approached, the girl thin and far too young to be sporting such little clothing.

  "Hi boys. What can I get you?"

  "I'll have a burger, plain and dry. Side of ketchup and fries." Seth smiled up at the girl, Jon giving him a look to tell him to cut that shit out. He was eying her like she was something to bend over the nearest counter.

  "I'll have a turkey sandwich. Hold the mayo and I'll take a cup of soup. Whatever you guys recommend is fine." Jon lifted the menu without looking at her. The weight of her stare pressed against him, but he ignored her until she sighed softly and walked off.

  "What the fuck, dude? That girl totally wanted to spread it for you."

  "Seth. Come on, man. I'm not interested in boning some sixteen-year-old chick who's probably high on meth in a diner in the shitty side of town."

  "You think she's on drugs?"

  "Did you see how thin she was? That wasn't normal 'take care of your body' thin. She's on something."

  "Shit. That's nasty."

  "Give me the file on the girl involved in Adam's death and stay out of my sex life. It's none of your damn business." He smiled and reached for the file a little too fast.

  Seth jerked it back and laughed before handing it over. "Get ready for this. She's as hot as hell. No thin druggie here. She's got thick curves and long black hair."

  "Shut the fuck up." Jon took the file and opened it, moving the girl’s picture to the back before really giving it attention. He wanted to see what her history was, wanted to know her before assigning any features to her.

  "Okay buddy. I'm just saying. You might want to pop an ass or two before you go prancing in there." Seth tapped his fingers on the table. "I'm thinking about stopping by to ask her a few questions this week before you come onto the case."

  Jon looked up and shook his head. "No. This is my case. You're here only because we're assigned to one another. Let her go this week without anything from us. I want her to be calm and collected when I pop in next Sunday and bust up her world."

  "Good luck buddy."

  "Have you seen her?"

  "Yeah, the night at the police station. She was pale and shaken, covered in dirt and blood and I still got a hard on. I'm serious about how hot she is."

  "When this is over and she's in jail, you can go stick your dick through the bars and give her a good time." Jon smiled and looked back down. "Oh wait... it wouldn't reach her. Never mind."

  Seth reached over and swatted at him, Jon moving back and laughing as the waitress stopped by and delivered their food. She leaned over toward Jon, her shirt opening to show the creamy white tops of her small breasts, copper hair draped around her thin shoulders.

  "You need anything else?"

  "Nope." Jon looked away from her, pulling out the history page of the girl’s file.

  "He's gay, pretty girl. No worries though. You're beautiful. Just find someone else to spend your energy on." Seth smirked as Jon looked up at him.

  "Oh. I'm so sorry. I didn't know." The girl giggled.

  "It's all right. I was wondering when my boyfriend here was going to speak up. He's so jealous all the time." Jon nodded toward Seth as his friend's face colored pink. The girl laughed again and walked off.

  "Fuck you," Seth barked, picking up his burger.

  "Not my type, baby, but thanks for the offer." Jon reached over and stole a fry before reading a little out loud. "All right, so Miss Kate Jarret is twenty-seven years old. Black hair and brown eyes. Five foot, five inches. Weighs about a hundred and thirty pounds."

  "Hot."

  "She's been to jail three times, twice for drugs and once for attempted manslaughter. In halfway houses and foster homes for most of her later teenage years. Marked as aggressive, violent and highly trained in defense techniques."

  "Oh my God. Can you imagine her trying to kick your ass and you end up fucking from the passion?" Seth took a big bite of his burger, groaning loudly.

  "Come on, dude. Get your head out of the gutter and stop making those sounds. You almost made me lose my appetite." Jon put the page down and pulled his plate closer, looking to his left as he stirred his soup and continued to read up on her. "She's a piece of work. I wouldn't be at all surprised if she was the hitman. She was linked to Billy Turner, who was one of the biggest drug lords in this city a few years back."

  "Not anymore."

  "Yeah. Thanks to you." Jon looked up and smirked. "I still don't know how you knew where to find that mother fucker. You had to have someone on the inside helping you."

  "I'll never tell."

  Jon moved the papers around, pushing them into the center of the table with his free hand until he got to her picture. He picked it up as his stomach tightened. "Damn... she is beautiful."

  "I told you. Look at that pouty look on her mouth and those eyes." Seth groaned and set his burger down. "Her look says, 'fuck me until you’re too tired to move and then I'll finish milking your cock for both of us'."

  "I don't know. I think the look is more than that. Looks like a cry for love. For someone to come and rescue her." Jon put the picture down, pulling a few other pages over it so he didn't have to see her again just yet. "Probably a ploy. Women like her know how to use everything they have, including their sexuality to get men to do anything, just for the promise of a night with them."

  "I understand that totally. I would do just about anything to have her beneath me."

  Jon grumbled, leaning over to blow at his soup. Something whispered across his senses that his response would be very similar to Seth's if he wasn't careful.

  Chapter 5

  One Week Later

  Kate

  The smoky air was tainted with violet hues from the strobe lights that swirled above the floor, their only purpose to offer coverage for the less than attractive folk. It was the simple technique of diversion and Kate knew that her revenues rested on people's ability to get drunk, get sweaty and get laid. They were more than ready and able to twist reality just enough that most people ended the night checking off all three boxes.

  The sea of bodies from the dance floor meshed together, creating a large living organism of sorts, the passion and feeling oozing off it and beckoning all that passed by to come and live a little. A smirk touched Kate's lips as a handsome boy with hair the color of night reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her against his strong body as he smiled down at her.

  "I've been waiting all night for you," he whispered against her hair.

  "You must be mistaken. We don't know each other." She leaned back and touched his lips before he could speak again. She needed to check in with Marcus to ensure that he had all he needed for the busy night ahead of them. "Shhhh... go have fun with someone you have a chance with."

  Jeffery was behind the bar, throwing a bottle in the air as several people cheered him o
n. His smile was infectious, his eyes full of life. He had taken a hit off of Marcus's latest shipment, and where she should be angry, she was a bit more jealous due to her inability to find time to slip into the hazy world of the high provided.

  Drugs were part of the deal and where she mostly kept her nose clean, Marcus and his boys didn't. Crime was a well-worn coat, comforting and quick to fulfill needs. The drugs were only sold on the south side of town and she didn't stand for any of them dealing in her club. He caught her eye and winked, his long blond hair making him seem far too feminine in her opinion.

  She turned and put her hands on her hips, her eyes moving across the floor. The cops hadn't bothered her much over the last week outside of the normal warning that they were watching her closely. They always had and always would. The labs had come back on Adam, and her weapon was deemed not having been the murder weapon, so she was clear until more discovery took place.

  Energy rushed through the air as the latest techno song filled the club. Hands shot up as the patrons bounced and jumped. The acoustics in the club were spot on, the light furry black material on the walls absorbing the negative and expounding the positive back into the waiting ether. If only she could melt into the crowd and forget everything.

  Turning and moving toward the bar, she stopped beside a large group of girls who were ogling over Jeffery. He turned his attention to her, a quirky smile lifting his lips.

  "Hey." Her eyes moved to make a quick count of the bottles behind him before turning her attention fully on him. "I just wanted to make sure you had what you needed for the evening."

  He nodded. "We're good, but you might want to ask Marcus if we need anything for later. He was taking inventory in the back."

  "Ahhh... I was wondering where he slipped off to."

  "You look good tonight." Jeffery leaned against the bar and laughed as she rolled her eyes.

  "I'm not giving you a raise."

  "How about a date?"

  "Nope. Get busy and stop dicking around." She winked and turned to walk to the back of the club. She opened the large black door at the back of the room, her key one of three she had made. Too much money sitting just beyond the reach of greedy hands. She moved in, listening for the door to lock behind her before walking toward the sound of Marcus humming something.