by D. Love
“Really?” Is all he says as he looks at me with a raised brow. I am still laughing watching him push the skillet off the burner, then coming to stand directly in front of me. He wipes his hands on his towel, tossing it over his shoulder. He uses his legs to spread my thighs apart and grabs my hips, pressing me up against his waist. I wrap my arms around his neck sliding my fingers through his hair. There is no more laughing coming from me after he presses his lips against mine. Leaving me once again with his ‘kiss and run’, he pulls away, lifting me off the counter saying.
“Let’s eat breakfast.”
Chapter 22
Kain
“The Strip?” Penny grins from the passenger seat of my car.
“Yep. Best place to find you some new clothes. I can’t have you hanging out in Amanda’s hand-me-downs, now can I.” I joke, nodding toward the outfit she is wearing. A gray and black tank top and dark yoga pants cling to her frame in all the right ways. Staring at her body takes my mind back to this morning when we spent an extra twenty minutes enjoying each other during breakfast. It would have been so easy to spend the rest of the day touching all of Penny’s curves.
“Kain, I will have my own clothes when Tina arrives later this afternoon. There’s no need to take me shopping. Besides, I don’t have any money on me,” she says, smiling.
Shifting my car into a higher gear, I wink towards her, “No worries, Luv, it’s on me.”
“I couldn’t possibly ask you to pay for…” Penny begins to say. I lean closer to her, stealing a quick peek at the cluster of freckles painted along her shoulder. She blushes slightly.
“Amanda didn’t only drop off a change of clothes for you this morning. She informed me that the first payment from my newest Blood and Bite advance came through. I’m no longer broke…” I laugh. “Well, at least for the moment.” It was such a relief to have a little money again. Hopefully, I would be able to keep most of it from my greedy ex this time. Either way, it had been a stressful thirty-six hours. I need to change that. I want to take Penny’s mind off all this drama. I want to spoil her.
“Still, I wouldn’t feel right spending your money,” she sighs.
“Oh, you’ll be paying me back, Ms. Lane. You can count on that!” I tease, and laugh loudly.
“Is that so?” she says, wrinkling her nose with a big smile. Just then the tires of the car slid onto the main road of the Las Vegas Strip, and her eyes fill with the sights of the casinos and city landmarks. “Wow.”
“Wait till you see this place lit up,” I say, smiling.
“I can’t wait,” she says, sliding her fingers into my right hand.
1:29 p.m.
Shopping all morning was exhausting but fun. Watching Penny pick out her style of clothing at each store was interesting, to say the least. Her style was easygoing, comfortable, and sexy as hell. She let me tag along at each and every store, for my opinion when it mattered, and for my own selfish protectiveness. The fact was, I didn’t want to let her out of my sight. It wasn't completely safe until we figured out this stalker nonsense, and I would never let anyone hurt her again. The only store I was not allowed to take part in was the large Victoria’s Secret boutique. Penny politely made me wait outside while she purchased the necessary underthings she needed. And with a wicked little smile, she teased me before heading into the store.
“Naughty, or nice?” she purrs.
I kiss her neck quickly, inhaling her scent. “Both.”
She spent only twenty minutes in the store before finding me waiting just outside the window of a large bookstore display. Hanging within the giant front window was an oversized poster with a shirtless man, rugged and pale, with two well-endowed females scratching their way around his photo shopped abs. In big red letters was the tagline, ‘Blood and Bite Returns this holiday season. From acclaimed author Kain Brooks’. I am just tearing my eyes away from it when I hear Penny’s sweet voice.
“Wowzers, he’s…umm…quite yummy.”
I turn to her, slightly embarrassed. “Oh, yeah…that’s Dante, from my books and TV series.”
Giving the poster one more peek, Penny giggles, “I’ve gotta start watching that show!” I shake my head, and scoop her up, kissing her gently. From behind us comes a squeal of teenage screams.
“OH. MY. GAWD. It’s him!” Turning to find a trio of young girls, clutching their backpacks and cell phones, I smile politely.
“You’re Kain Brooks!” One of them shouts out.
Nodding, yes, I shift my stance, uncomfortably. “Yes.” Penny watches in delight as I squirm with even more embarrassment.
“Are you kidding me? You’re like my favorite author…ever…” one girl says.
“Totally my fav!” Another snaps. Without missing a beat, Penny joins in…
“Mine too!” she says, and secretly pinches my backside. I shoot her a wicked smile.
Autographs, and pictures are exchanged, moments fly by, and before I can process my afternoon, Penny and I are on our way to the airport to pick up Wayne and Tina. It has been a perfectly peaceful day, and I cannot wait to get back to my cabin. The thought of spending a quiet and uneventful evening with Penny, is intoxicating.
“I hope Tina hasn’t been too much of a handful for your friend, Wayne…” Penny sighs, nervously watching for the pair to exit the plane.
“Pfft! I hope she has. Wayne could use the adventure. Besides, he’s already told me that he’s completely infatuated with her,” I laugh, lightly.
“Are you serious?” Penny exclaims.
“Yup. Wayne’s kinda an ass-man, and he told me, and I quote, ‘Tina’s got the best butt I’ve seen in my life!’ End quote.” I say, trying not to laugh uncontrollably.
Penny winces with a smile, “Classy.”
“I know, that’s my boy, Wayne…” I sigh. Just then, Wayne and Tina emerge from the terminal exit. Tina is strapped across Wayne’s back, legs locked around his stomach, and hands waving in the air, like she was the starring attraction at the local rodeo. Wayne rushes toward us with a giant smile on his face and their bags in his hands.
In a full laugh, I say, “Yeah, he’s going to be just fine.” Penny laughs out loud and runs for her best friend. Tina jumps from Wayne’s back and embraces Penny, completely. They hug, they laugh, and finally, they return to Wayne and me. We all exchange hugs and hello’s, and then find ourselves returning to my cabin.
Walking inside, “This place is so beautiful!” Tina calls out.
“Thank you,” I say. Penny pushes past me, making sure to slide her body along mine just long enough to steal my undivided attention. She and Tina head for the kitchen in search of something to drink. Wayne stumbles in behind us, exhausted.
“I’m beat. You mind if I just crash right here for the rest of the night?” he asks, putting his feet up on my couch. “You know jet lag.”
“Jet lag?” I ask, with a raised eyebrow.
“That and carrying Tina’s luggage around forever…holy shit…” he scoffs. We all laugh as Tina and Penny exchange a curious glance. It looked as if they were having a conversation without saying a word. They both smile and Tina walks up to me, offering me another polite hug.
“I’m so happy you found my friend. She needs you so much…” she whispers into my ear.
I whisper back, “She’s the one who’s saved me.” I smile down at Tina, and she nods in agreement. Swiftly, she jumps up in the air, landing directly in Wayne’s tired lap.
“What the…” he gasps.
“Our room should be ready,” Tina winks.
“What room?” Wayne asks, confused.
“It’s my first time in Sin City, and you think I am going to stay in the country?” Tina says, pointing around the living room. “I booked a suite at Caesar’s Palace Casino.”
“Really?” Wayne questions.
“Yes. It’s got two king-size beds for Penny and I, but by the way Kain will not let her out of his sight, I suppose it’ll be just lil’ old me in that big old room,�
�� Tina says, batting her eyes.
Sitting up in a swiftly, Wayne smiles, “Is that so…”
“Easy, Cowboy,” Tina laughs, and then stand up. “You take me for a nice dinner and night out on the town, and maybe we can discuss sleepovers…”
“Yee-haw,” Wayne teases.
“Jeez…” I groan, rolling my eyes. Wayne looks up at me.
“You in, Kain? Dinner tonight?” he asks, with a look in his eyes that says, ‘Please say no’.
Stealing a look at Penny and her perfect smile, “I was hoping to stay in tonight. Maybe I will cook Penny my famous pasta.” She smiles wildly at me, and all of a sudden, I wanted to kiss her.
“Famous? Ha!” Wayne laughs. “I’ll take option number one!” he snaps. Instantly, he grabs Tina’s hand and guides her to the front door. “After you, my lady.”
Penny runs up and gives Tina another hug and they exchange some words. I let out a relieved sigh, finally letting the last few days catch up with me. I am running on empty, emotionally. I would never let Penny see that though. I have to be strong for her right now. Strong for us. Minutes later, Wayne and Tina are driving away in his truck, and I am positioning Penny’s bags and things that Tina has brought from Virginia, in my bedroom. She offered to help, but I made her relax with a cup of coffee while I handle everything.
“Woo,” I call out, as I finish up. “Man, do I stink…” With the muggy monsoon air alive and well, and sweating it tends to bring with it, I realized I was way over-do for a shower. Slipping from my white T-Shirt, I wave to Penny from the bedroom door.
“I’m going to slip into the shower real quick…” I say, when a large role of thunder echoes along the mountain air. The lights flicker as it happens. “I stink. And it looks as if the next storm is rolling in. According to the weather reports, it’s going to be a big one.”
Penny traces the lines of my chest and stomach with her eyes, and I pretend not to notice. “Oh, okay…” she says, taking a small sip from her cup. “Can I help?”
I smile big. “Umm…”
“I meant with something around the house, like candles or something…” she blushes. “I didn’t mean helping with your shower.”
“How about both…” I tease, and turn to get in the shower. As I start the water the lights flicker again and I can hear the rain start to fall along the cabin’s roof and walls. The smell slides through the house, and I inhale as much of it as I can. It’s one of my favorite smells. Just as I begin to rinse the shampoo from my hair the power pops off completely, leaving me in the running shower in the dark. I turn to call out to Penny, hoping she was not panicking.
“The candles are in the…” I start to holler, when I see the familiar glow of a candle flame floating towards the frosty glass door of the shower. Penny’s hourglass is silhouetted by its dancing flame. Before I can react, Penny is here, standing in a small towel neatly tucked under her arms, and over her breasts. Smiling with a burning candle in hand, she drops the towel to the floor and pushes inside the shower.
“I found the candles,” she whispers.
“I can see that,” I say, coolly. Even though I am anything but cool. Her naked body filled with goose bumps and hot water. I spent the next few seconds memorizing every line, every freckle, and every part of her.
Moments pass, and she whispers nervously, “Kain…”
With my left hand I remove the candle from her hands, dropping it to the pooling water at our feet, and with my right hand, I pull her against me. Her stomach presses into mine and I give into her, completely. I’m all hers now. 110% hers. I would do anything for her. But right now, here in my burning shower, I want to show her that. With a long and passionate kiss, she wraps herself around me in every way possible. Slowly, I pull from her lips and find her wanting eyes, and say…
“I love you.”
Chapter 23
Penny
Letting my mind repeat the three beautiful words he just said, I stare at him. The moon is shining through the window giving us just enough light to see each other. His hair is darker and slick from the water draining down his head across his face. I smell his soap that is a mix of clean freshness and cologne. He stands there with his chest moving up and down with each breath waiting for my response.
“I love you, Kain.”
He arches his brow, “Really?”
“Yes, really.” I reply back, taking my finger and tracing the deep define muscles across his chest. He turns me around and I feel him sweep my hair off of one shoulder letting it drape down my other one. My eyes close when I feel his lips on my skin sending shivers down by back. With one hand, he places it on my stomach, pulling me into his body. He kisses my neck, running his tongue across my skin beckoning my lips to find his. As I tilt my head to look back at him his tongue glides over my lips. One hand still lying on my stomach, he bends our bodies as he reaches down bending my leg, positioning it on the shower bend. I feel weak from his passion and stretch my arms out bracing my hands on the side of the shower to keep me from falling. Steam is building from our bodies and the water wraps around us like a blanket. With my pounding heart, I gasp for air when I feel his hand running up my propped leg, to my inner thigh. My hands leave the wall and reaches around me, massaging my fingers through his hair. The deeper his hand moves with the magical rhythm of his fingers, has my body sweating with exertion as adrenaline courses through my veins. Gripping his hair in my hands, I breathlessly say his name, and start moaning at the sensation he is giving my body. I hear him moan before he whispers my name. “Penny.”
After a couple of pants from both of us, he flips me around facing him. His hands slide down to my hips and he lifts me up. My legs wrap around his waist, and he squeezes my thighs as he rubs my body against his lower abdomen teasing my body until it’s throbbing for him. Hearing a screech as he slides the glass door of the shower open, he pushes the lever off to the water with his foot. Then he runs his tongue across my lips again giving me a smile before he kisses me as he walks out of the bathroom entering the bedroom. With my arms wrapped around his neck, I can feel him turn his head to watch where we are going. After making it to the bed, he lays me down with my head on the pillow. He leaves, returning with a couple of burning candles sitting them on the night stands. With the glare from the flames I can see water droplets glistening on his body. He climbs on the bed and lies on his side next to me. “Penny, you are exquisite.” I don't wait for him, I start kissing his chest and work my way to his mouth. He grabs the back of my head. He pulls me closer as he deepens his kiss.
“I want you, Penny,” he tells me between kisses.
“I’m ready for you, Kain.”
He raises his body till its hovering over me. Using his arms to keep him propped up, I feel his knee spread my legs, climbing between them. He runs his tongue across my stomach, making his way to my breast. He teases me a little longer before he slides inside me. His movements are so gentle, until I cave and grab his hips pulling him deeper. He pants with each stroke of his body. Kissing me forcefully now, still wrapped in me, he rolls over pulling me on top of him, his hands slides up my back grabbing my shoulders to pull me down on top of him. My back arches at the sensation of him inside of me, and a moan escapes my lips. His hands slip from my shoulders to my hips, he begins moving me the way that makes him moan more. Feeling the heat building in me, I lay my hands on his chest and move my thighs to his movements. Feeling like I am going to explode any minute I continue to rock my body, trying to get him deeper inside me.
We made love for hours before both of us are exhausted. Now, I am lying here in his arms as he traces my body with his fingers. The way he is moving them around my body is like he is reading a braille book.
“Kain, it’s because of you, I can remember what love is again.”
I feel the bed dip as he bends over and blows out the candle, the room fills with the smell of candle wax, as his leans back into to me. Wrapped securely in Kain’s arms I feel my eyes getting heavy. As I am ju
st drifting off I hear him tell me.
“Starting at forever, and ending at never. Is the where, I want our love to be, Penny. Now sleep, my love.”
Waking up to the shower running, I stretch as I can feel my muscles are little tender. My mind thinks about last night and how incredible it was. The tenderness Kain uses with me. I smile to myself thinking how lucky I am. Then a small pain hits my heart. “Zack,” I whisper.
“Zack, if you can hear me, please never think I will forget you. Your words will forever be like a tattoo in my head and your fingerprints from your touch is forever etched on my heart. Thank you for being the one to introduced me to love.”
I close my eyes hoping that he hears me. Hearing a knock on the front door brings me back to reality. I leap off the bed, wrapping myself in Kain’s house robe and head to the door. With a big smile plastered on my face, knowing it is Tina. I yank the door open singing good morning and no one is there. I poke my head out the door scanning around, but still see no one. “Hmm, maybe I didn't hear anything after all,” I say, shaking my head. Still standing with my hand on the door knob, hands come up and touch my shoulders. I scream as I spin around.