by M R Field
“My father never answered my calls, so he didn’t care what was going on. My parents are arseholes,” she sniffs as she throws in her jeans. “Giving my key to him? What the hell for? That isn’t a way to win someone over. How dare they presume that I was going to obey? I’m done with this crap.” Her voice cracks as her eyes fill with tears, and I drop the clothes in my hand and walk over to her.
“Come here,” I coo through a clenched jaw. My fury is barely being contained, but if I don’t touch her soon I’ll start tearing this apartment apart. She folds herself into my embrace and the rage that coils under my skin intensifies even further. How could that fucker think that she’d go back? I want him on a plane and out of here. Pronto. If I have to duct tape him to a seat, I fuckin’ will.
“I must be a magnet for arseholes.” Her arms reach up and hook under my armpits to my shoulders, drawing me closer. Her sniffing intensifies. “Except for you and my friends. But my family and that jerk—there has to be a magnet on me somewhere. Thea wanted the best for me, and she would’ve split it evenly if the others had at least given her an ounce of respect.”
Each whimper she makes, sends a surge into my chest. I need her out of here. She pretends to brush her arms, looking for a pretend magnet, and I tap her shoulder to get her attention. She swipes the tears from her cheeks as she faces me. I protected my sister when she finally told me about her bullies, and like fuck will I let these arseholes victimise Hazel. I will protect her. It’s my job now to make her feel loved, and I’ll spend every day doing so.
“It’s not you—it’s them. Those fuckers don’t deserve you. They are born to shit over all that is good. So, from now on, we don’t let it touch you. These are the last tears, Hazel. I can’t fuckin’ stand to see you hurt. No more. I’m here, and like fuck will they even dare to try any of this shit again.”
She blinks away the remaining tears and reaches for my cheek. “You know, growing up, I’d see how you’d protect Trice from idiot guys and I’d smile. I’d think, ‘Yeah, I want that someday’.” I reach up and clutch her hand with mine. “I’d come to visit Trice after a shitty confrontation and you’d make me forget. You take it all away, Tesoro, you always have.”
“Fuck, I wish I knew more at the time about what they were doing. I wouldn’t have shit stirred you as much. I was obsessed with making you blush. That makes me just as much of an arsehole as they were. That regret is going to piss me off for life.”
She shakes her head, but I continue. ”I will stop these arseholes from hurting you. I’ll chase those demons away. Never hide from me, Farfalla. I’m here to stay.”
“Robbie, you were the one who kept me sane when everyone else turned the lights out and clothed me in darkness.” She leans forward until her lips are barely a whisper away. “You couldn’t get rid of me if you tried.”
She kisses my lips and the urge to throw her luggage off the bed almost overtakes me. I want to comfort her and destroy how he’s tainted this apartment, but I can’t. The thought of him touching her belongings makes me want to set everything alight.
“Let’s get out of here. I need you safe in my apartment now.”
“The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.”
Audrey Hepburn
HAZEL
The anger radiates from Robbie and fills the cabin of his car as we drive to his apartment. His grip in my hand tightens momentarily, his normally jovial self-hidden under the mask of anger. The thoughts that are filling his mind mar his beautiful features. Angry Robbie doesn’t scare me; I know he would never hurt me. The person on his receiving end, however, better hope they have pretty good health insurance.
As passive as my nature is, in this instance, I don’t care what he does to Jerry the jerk. I am tired of his games. Touching my belongings was enough to make me never want to wear those clothes again, but I refuse to let him win.
“So, you’re going to work out for a bit tonight?” I ask in the silent cabin.
“Yeah.” His voice is faded, distant. “I just need to sweat it out.” His hand tightens around mine. “Just give me an hour or two and I’ll be okay. I can’t stop thinking about that fucker being in your place. If I wasn’t there tonight—”
“I would’ve gouged him with my car keys had he come any closer. I may look timid, but there was no way that creep would have come near me. There’s also a panic button near my intercom, and that would’ve been activated the second I saw him.”
“Still, I’m going to talk to your doorman about letting strangers waltz into your apartment,” he grumbles. “He’ll think twice about letting arseholes off the street in. People that live here need to feel fuckin’ safe.”
We arrive at his place shortly after and unload the two suitcases, leaving the rest to get in a moment. The boot is full of my ‘precious’ things, and although my father threatened to kick me out, I’m not feeling destitute. I am standing where I’ve always wanted to be. Who knows? Maybe this temporary living together thing could lead to something more permanent.
“Farfalla? You coming?” Robbie’s voice calls out to me from his front door and I blink.
“Yeah, sorry. Just daydreaming.”
He smiles slightly and turns to unlock the door. His tense shoulders fill the doorway as he enters, wheeling the suitcase behind him. I follow, eager to get inside.
“Hey there, whoa! What’s going on?” Trice calls out from the kitchen.
“New housemate.” Robbie tilts his chin towards me. “Her fuckin’ ex was in her apartment, uninvited.”
Trice’s eyes widen in shock as she rushes over to me. She rubs my forearm as her worried eyes study my face.
“Did he hurt you?” Her eyes continue to dart across me.
“No, not at all. Robbie may have ruined his vocal cords though. His tutor will love that.”
“Should’ve just ripped off his fuckin’ head and saved them the trouble of dealing with his pathetic arse,” he gripes, storming past Trice to his bedroom. Her brows raise to me, and I shrug.
“He is livid, hon. He’s on edge.”
“Yeah.” She looks over to his door. “I don’t remember the last time I saw him this angry. My Alpha-bro is going to blow a gasket.”
I wheel the suitcase farther in and lean it against the wall. “C’mon, I have more stuff in the boot. Let’s talk out there.”
We make our way to his car and continue unloading.
“Why is he even here?” Trice asks, hoisting the strap of my laptop bag across her shoulder. “I mean, you broke up with him and have been ignoring him. He can’t be that dense.”
“He can’t take rejection; he is so used to calling all the shots that I think he really thinks we should be together. Robbie scared him a bit, but I know he’ll be back.” I slam the boot closed. “In the meantime, I’m not going to let it affect me. I have a boyfriend in there who needs to cool it, though. I don’t want him getting into trouble.”
We head inside and Trice lowers her voice to say,
“He won’t be able to stop if he sees him near you. Keep an eye on him; he’s a tank too, so a punch could send that dickhead back to the UK in a body bag.”
My body shakes at the thought. “Okay, he wants to work out tonight, so I’ll leave him to it,” I whisper.
Trice chuckles and leans in. “He needs you, honey. He needs to see you’re okay. Alex was thinking of going to the movies tonight. We’ll go out for dessert after. In the meantime, let him sweat, but don’t leave him alone too long—his thoughts will fuck with his head. Trust me. Alex does the same.” She gives me a quick hug and we both take the rest of the luggage to his room.
By now, Robbie is in his workout room with the door closed. I hear the heavy tension-filled sounds of Metallica’s “Holier Than Thou” bursting through the walls, and I know he’s in his own personal hell in there.
“Alex!” Trice calls. “Babe, let’s go see that movie.”
Alex
pokes his head out of their room and smiles at us,
“Hey Hazel, didn’t hear you come in.” He looks over to the door Robbie is hidden behind and says, “What’s with the man anthem?”
Trice walks over to him and pats his shoulder. His gaze instantly softens as he stares down at her. “I’ll explain it in the car. Trust me, you’d be in there too.”
His eyes narrow slightly as he mutters, “I’m not going to like what you tell me, am I?”
“Remember when you beat up that guy during football for sledging me?”
His jaw tightens at the memory.
“Well, it’s worse than that.”
Alex’s face turns to me and he snaps, “Whoever is hurting you, Haze, I’ll help Robbie. No questions. Ty will help out too.”
My chest loosens slightly in gratitude. “Thanks Alex, but that’s not necessary. I have one hellion who needs to be tamed. I’ll save the violence for another day.”
He nods and grabs Trice by the arm. “Okay, Bea-Bea, let’s leave them to it.”
He grabs his keys off the hallway table and wraps his arm around her. “Robbie has always been protective. If someone is trying to hurt you, it’ll fuckin’ break him. He’s waited long enough for you, Hazel; he’ll do what it takes to protect you.”
“Thanks, Alex. Wish me luck,” I say, pointing to the door.
“You won’t need it. Just be there for him,” he replies as they stroll towards the door.
The electric beats continue to thrash against the walls and I brace myself. I turn the handle slightly and watch as Robbie punches into his punching bag in the corner, his shoulders bending and stretching with each jab as he assaults the bag. His fists continue to pummel into the bag, each arm alternating as the bag is thrown back and forth. He jumps from side to side for a moment before his assault continues. Each hit sends a thrill between my legs, and my mouth waters as trails of sweat line his tank between his shoulder blades. I know if I get closer, he will smell like male in its purest form, and I can’t stop the soft moan that passes my lips.
I pull the door closed gently and head to his room to rid myself of my shoes and all my clothes. Each piece falls to the ground, and I turn to his mirror and loosen my curls to fall down my back. My skin feels hypersensitive, and all I want to do is get him to unleash that anger on me. To pump into me. From the first moment we made love, his body has called to mine, but tonight I want to rule him. I want him to know that I’m there and that he can use me for whatever he wants. I don’t want him to hold back. I’m his for the taking.
The dampness increases between my legs and I push them together for a moment. I walk out of his room, relieved that his sister and Alex have left for a few hours, as we’ll need every minute. I turn the handle and open the door, expecting that he’ll see me, but he is too focused on punching that bag. The song changes to “Orion” and fills the room with a less manic vibe. I walk over to the bench-press seat and sit, leaving one leg on either side, leaning back on my arms, ready in invitation.
“Robbie,” I call out.
His shoulders tense for a moment as he stops the movement of the bag. His back heaves in deep breaths and my nipples harden watching his strong back fight for control.
“Just give me a moment, Farfalla.”
My chest softens at his endearment. He holds onto the bag for a moment, his taped hands red from exertion. He leans over to his iPod dock and lowers the volume. Taking one more deep breath and then bending to reach for his water bottle, I admire the curve in his spine and his impeccable arse. His lips meet the tip of the bottle and he turns to face me. The gulp of water narrowly reaches his mouth as he gasps in a breath, causing him to splutter water down his wet chest.
“Well, that’s certainly a way to cool down,” I raise my eyebrow at him. “Pity. I was hoping you could make me just as hot as you are now.”
A slow smile appears on his face, and a chuckle escapes his lips. His eyes trace down my body and a shiver passes across me like a wave of ecstasy. Robbie is my kryptonite. But that is fine. I want to be shattered and pieced back together. His sweaty chest, gleaming under the neck of his tank, is enough to have me panting for more. The rage that was in his eyes from earlier is now gone, leaving a carnal lust that consumes me. I cannot get enough of him. Will I ever? Not in this lifetime.
“So, I was thinking,” I say, seductively. “That I can help relieve that tension you’re feeling.”
His eyes darken even more as he drops his water bottle. His fingers go to remove the tape, but I hold my hand up.
“Leave it on. I want to feel it against my skin. As I was saying …” I shift my hips slightly and his eyes stare down at my exposed sex. “Let me relieve the tension, repeatedly.”
“Fuck yes,” he growls, stalking over to me. I continue to hold my hand up, making him halt again. Good boy.
“But there’s a condition.” I wave my hand in the air up and down his body. “I’m in charge and I’ll let you touch me … when I’m ready. Think you can handle it?”
His grin would make my panties melt, if I was wearing any, and he knocks the breath out of me, causing me to swallow the lump that’s formed in my throat. More heat rushes between my legs.
“Abso-fucking-lutely.”
“Okay,” I gesture to his iPod. “Turn up that music, baby. I want to feel the vibrations between my thighs.”
“You got it.” He walks back over to his iPod dock and raises the volume and restarts “Orion”. The beating drums begin to pulse, and I let my eyes run up his sweaty body. The thrashing guitar riffs slice through the piece, and my eyes make contact with his.
“Strip,” I command, raising my finger in the air to trail up and down his body, shifting slightly to tilt my hips up seductively.
He smiles and without breaking eye contact from me, reaches behind his neck and pulls his tank over his head, his shoulder muscles rolling forwards as his abs clench. I bite my bottom lip, and I gesture with an eyebrow raise for him to take off his pants. His hands reach into the elastic waistband of his shorts and he slowly begins to pull them and his trunks down. My heartbeat increases with every painstaking second that he takes to move them all the way.
My fingers tingle with the need to touch him, but not yet. I point at his feet, the music blaring as he watches my lips move. “Sh … s.” My voice croaks, before I clear it again. “Shoes.”
He chuckles and drawn like a magnet, I watch his abs tense and relax with each chuckle. Hot. He flicks his shoes and socks off and then stands proudly. His erection, long, thick, and delicious looking as I hungrily take in the drip of pre-cum that appears at the tip.
The strong beats continue to fill the room and I feel every movement and glance from him. The thickness of him, his strong arms and thighs, are all so incredibly masculine that I might combust. I eagerly stare at each refined muscle of his as the beats continue to throb through my core. I’m so turned on that if I flick my hips the right way, I might just—.
“You can distract me with your beautiful body, but at least I know my abs can hypnotise you back,” he laughs.
“I wasn’t staring at your abs, Tesoro.” I bite the inside of my cheek as I stare at him.
“Oh?” He playfully asks. “What were you staring at?”
“Your cock,” I reply boldly and am greeted with his eyes bulging at me in shock.
“I have never heard you say that.”
“What? Cock?”
“Say it again, my love, and there’s no way I can’t touch you.”
“Oops.” I raise my fingers to my lips in mock astonishment. “Guess I should have said dick.”
His shoulders tense as he growls. I take pity on him and point to the floor between my legs. “Sit.”
He swaggers over and plops onto the ground, his body facing away from me. I instantly begin to massage his shoulders and knead my thumbs and fingers across his skin. A moan rumbles from his throat and I shift slightly as my sex begins to throb. My fingers change pace and with circula
r motions, I rub across his back and gradually up and down his neck, his head plummeting forward.
“Farfalla,” he says, just loudly enough for me to hear him. “I can smell how turned on you are.”
I tremble. That voice is going to make me lose myself.
“How does that make you feel?” I dare as I continue to run my fingers over his back.
“Like a man starved.”
I flex my hands back up his shoulder and lean forward to move them down the front of his chest, my erect nipples grazing against his damp skin. I lean right over, until I’m off the bench seat and stretch out my hands to rub up and down his chest. His arms tense by his sides, his chest rising as I run my hands across his abs. My head rests against his temple and I lean in closer to him. My man has a beast that is raging inside of him, and I’m going to let him run wild. I need to unleash it, and I know just the way to wake him up.
“Tesoro,” I whisper against his ear, running my lips against his earlobe. He shivers as his nostrils flare. “In a moment, I’m going to bend over this bench and I want your cock to be wild and fuck me—”
Before I’ve even finished the sentence, he is up in the air and moving me off the bench, turning my hips as I go. His hands grab my waist as I totter on my toes to keep my balance, and I face away from his hot body. His hand reaches between my wet folds and a loud rumble leaves his lips.
“How wild?” he growls, rubbing my clit with his thumb, causing a moan to leave my parted, dry lips.
I lick them slowly, his thumb moving more intently as I savour his touch. “As wild as you can. Take it out on me. Hard, Robbie. Go hard.”
He continues to rub as he uses his other hand to push me over onto the bench. His foot nudges both of my feet apart and I feel him line himself up against my opening.
“Brace yourself, babe.” His voice rumbles along my back. “It’s going to be a hard fuckin’ ride.”
Before I can reply, he thrusts inside of me, sending my head back in a wave of intense pleasure. I cry out as his thrusts surge inside of me, his fingers rubbing frantically at my clit, and I can barely hold my breath. I pant, I gasp, and I relish in the raw emotion emanating from him as his cock continues to drive into me. His hips grind against my back and I grip onto the bench, holding on as a coil of pleasure unfurls within my core. I tip my hips up further and feel him drive in deeper, the intensity building.