Love, Lies, & Crime: Anthology

by Kimberly Blalock

  Glad it’s over, I thank Harley for her help as we exit the courtroom. “So, what now?”

  She glances at her phone and dials a number. Just before the voice on the other end answers, she responds to me, “We head back to the city.”

  Harley spends most of the drive on her phone. I don’t know how she keeps up with it all—emails, phone calls, court—but in the end, it makes her happy; you can see it in her eyes. Seeing her in action at the courthouse was pretty amazing. She takes command, stands center stage, and is not afraid to show a little competitive edge. It shows she’s deeply committed to her clients and faithful to her promise of defending.

  Once her last call ends, she glances over as I play a game on my cellphone. “Do you order in? We could get take-out or something at my place.”

  Her offer shocks me and I lift my head, meeting her gaze. “Uh, sure? What did you have in mind?”

  “Well, I’ve been craving some Chinese, like really bad.”

  I let out a laugh. “Chinese it is.”

  “Okay cool. We’ll call ahead, and it should be ready by the time we get there.”

  The car’s Bluetooth dials the Chinese restaurant and she places an order for the both of us. The owner says it’ll be ready in fifteen minutes.

  Driving through the city streets, I think about how life’s changed over the past few years. It’s strange, but I mean, I guess it’s expected, right? Either way, things change, whether we want them to or not. For me, life has changed for the better. Dropping out of college was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I knew it wasn’t for me, and I owned up to it—not like most kids who flunk out or spend the rest of their lives paying back debt, never even using the degree.

  What surprises me the most is the woman sitting in the car with me. Yeah, she’s a pain in my ass most of the time and can even be a bitch, but there’s something about her. She catches me off guard, and it’s not something I’m used to. In fact, I stay extra cautious around her; I have to. I’m not a good person and I couldn’t bear the thought of hurting her because of my bad temper.

  “So, tell me more about this racing you did?”

  Harley blushes as I recall her deepest secrets while she’s stuffing her face with szechaun chicken. “There’s not much to tell. I mean, I raced, I made money, and I finished law school. That’s it really.”

  Not satisfied, I beg for more details. “Come on, you gotta give me more than that. How did you learn to ride?”

  “My ex taught me. I’ve always been fascinated by motorcycles, ever since I was younger, but my parents forbade me to do anything as a child. I had a strict upbringing so when I got to college, the shy little sheltered girl was unleashed.”

  My chopsticks grab a clump of steamed white rice and I plop it into my mouth. “Does your sister know?”

  She nods. “Maria knows, but she doesn’t condone it.”

  “Because it’s illegal?”

  “No, because I almost died.”

  Her words shock me as I choke on my food. Clearing my throat, I glance at her with wide eyes. “You what!?”

  She shies away farther. “Yah, nasty crash. I was in the ICU for a week, had a couple broken ribs and a shattered pelvis.”

  “But wait, didn’t your parents come to see you? Didn’t they find out then?”

  She shakes her head. “Nope, they think it was a car accident, not me racing a bike.”

  “Ahh…okay. Well, I can see why Maria doesn’t condone it. She just doesn’t want to lose you.” After that last phrase exits my mouth, I glance into her dark brown eyes. They shine, reflecting the moonlight peeking into her apartment. Sitting on the sofa, knees crossed, she blushes and looks away. Strands of her hair fall forward, covering that beautiful face of hers, and I can’t help but reach over and move them behind her ear. She peeks her head up, smiling as I stare at her with wonder.

  In an instant, her smile fades as she clears her throat and glances toward the ground, inching farther away from me. Noticing her cue, I admit defeat and stand up. “It’s getting late, I better head out.”

  She agrees and stands up to walk me out. “Umm, I guess I’ll see you around.”

  I respond nonchalantly, “Yeah.”

  She unlocks her apartment door and holds it open for me as I step out into the hallway. I take one last look at her. “Well, thanks for dinner.”

  She gives me a half-smile. “Welcome. Goodnight.”

  I nod and turn away, heading toward the stairs. Just as I begin to climb down, she calls out to me.

  “Taylor, wait!”

  I spin, watching her step into the hall. “Yeah?”

  She lets out a deep breath, clearly nervous about what she’s about to say. “I felt it.”

  I take a couple steps closer to her. “What?”

  “Back at the hotel…this morning…your hand brushed against my shoulder.” Her dark eyes meet mine, filled with honesty and passion. Her admission burns a fire inside me. “And…I felt it.”

  Sudden yearning to touch her surges within me as she stands there, opening herself up to me. Inching closer, I ask, “How did it make you feel?”

  She smiles. “I felt…alive.”

  In two strides I’m face to face with her and without a second thought, my lips crash onto hers. Her mouth opens, giving me full access as I taste her juicy pink lips. God, they taste so fuckin good. My hands wrap around her waist as I pull her body closer to me, pressing us together. Her hands clench my shirt as she kisses me with conviction. Our lips connect and dance together in a rhythm of passion and lust.

  Our kiss deepens as I push farther, begging to absorb every ounce of her I possibly can. Heat builds inside me, heading straight to my dick, which is stiff as a rock. It pokes into her and she chuckles, noticing my excitement.

  I push her against the apartment door, causing a ruckus in the hallway, but I couldn’t care less right now. All I want is her, to touch every inch of skin, every crevice, every morsel, to lick those luscious lips and wrap my fingers in her dark hair.

  She steps away, gasping for air as I stare her down, mentally preparing myself for what I want to do to her.

  She pushes her apartment door open and pulls me in, shutting the door behind her. Our lips clash once again and our bodies mold to each other in a heated frenzy. My heart pounds in my chest as we remove each other’s clothing.

  My jacket and shirt fly across the room, I kick off my sneakers, and I lift her t-shirt over her head. Her black bra teases as she presses her breasts against my chest, sending surges of pleasure through my body. I let out a growl as I lift her up and carry her to her bedroom.

  She breathes excitedly in my ear as I rush into her room, tossing her onto the bed. I bend down, grabbing her legs, and pull her toward me, leaning over the edge of the bed. Making a mental note, I stare at her body, only a bra and shorts covering her as she sits on the edge, waiting for me, wanting me.

  My hands grab hold of her shorts as I peek at her, teasing very slowly as I pull them, sliding them off her legs. She smirks, knowing full well that I’m in control.

  “You’re getting back at me aren’t you?”

  My head bends, landing a kiss on her thigh. “For what?”

  She gasps as my lips touch her skin. “Payback…for when I teased you in my office.”

  As the memory fills my mind, I smile at her with a vengeance and chuckle. “Thanks for reminding me.”

  My lips continue to kiss her thigh as her fingers fold into my hair, pulling on strands as I tease her, applying kisses to her pressure points. Ecstasy fills the room and swarms around us. Fire heats inside and radiates off her skin.

  My mouth inches upward toward her panties and I leave a trail of kisses in my path. My fingers graze her thighs, inching closer to their destination. She gasps as I fold back her panties, sliding a finger inside. Shit, she’s already wet.

  My fingers slide easily inside her as she opens her legs wider, leaning back on the bed for me. I tease, making sure she feel
s every inch of pleasure my fingers can give her, pushing in and out, in and out.

  With one hand working her pussy, I use my other to reach under and slide her panties off her legs. She lifts her body up, assisting me in the process of removal. Fully spread, I admire her. My fingers continue to move in and out while my other thumb slowly rubs her clit. She gasps and I watch as she experiences the pleasure I give. Her head arches back as her breathing deepens with every push I apply inside her. Just watching her causes my dick to throb, begging to be the one inside instead of my fingers. Not yet.

  “Oh god, this feels good.”

  Her voice steams with sensual bliss as my fingers work their magic. Her body twitches with every sensitive spot I hit, sending her closer and closer to the edge. She gasps louder and more often, climbing her way to the climax she begs for.

  I work my fingers in a motion specific to pleasing her, already knowing what she likes. Her voice speaks, mumbling words as she can’t contain her excitement. The tense contractions of her walls clench my fingers, knowing she’s about to cum.

  And just…like…that, I pull my fingers out.

  She stops to glance at me with confusion. “What’s wrong?”

  I shrug with a sly smile. “Just enjoying this moment.”

  Confused, she sits up closer to me. “What?”

  “Remember what you said to me last week? In your office?”

  I can tell she’s getting agitated, clearly not wanting to play twenty-one questions. “What are you talking about?”

  “You said something…about a million years.”

  She ponders, trying to think, and as she recalls, her eyes grow wide. “Oh, my god! You seriously care about that?!”

  I burst into laughter. “Hey, you’re the one that dragged me into your apartment, not the other way around. I just want it to go on record that YOU want this just as much as I want this.”

  She slaps my shoulder with annoyance. “Gahh! You’re so frustrating!”

  “Me?! You’re the worst! I’ve thought about strangling you multiple times, you aggravate me so much.”

  “You’re always so cocky; somebody has to bring you back to reality.”

  “Me? Cocky? Please. You’re the one acting all high and mighty, calling the shots.”

  She looks away and crosses her arms, signs of frustration spreading across her face.

  “You see? That’s what I mean.”

  She jerks back. “What do you mean? That I’m a bitch? Yes! I’m a bitch…but I have to be.”

  “No, you don’t. You choose to be. There’s a huge difference.”

  She’s not too pleased with my choice of words and I sense that they may have stung. Resorting to putting this on hold, I reach my hand out, caressing hers.

  I let out a deep breath. “Look, I’m an asshole. Sorry.”

  “No, you’re right, but you still annoy me.”

  I chuckle at her response. “Oh my god! You—”

  Her lips crash against mine before I finish and my body reverts back to where it was a minute ago, but this time, she’s in control.

  Her hands run up and down my bare chest, examining each morsel of my body. Her lips peck each crevice, sending shockwaves throughout my body. The feel of her lips causes sensations to travel south, and I poke against her as she lays kisses on my chest.

  She crashes her lips against mine as we share a heated moment. My hands reach to her bra, unclasping it and sliding it off her arms. My free hand immediately moves to her breast, cupping it in my hand and squeezing it gently into a perfect fit. She moans under her breath as my finger touches her nipple, pinching with just the right touch to induce shockwaves of intense enjoyment.

  I push her backward and she slams onto the bed, sliding underneath as I position myself above her. I kick off my boxer briefs, allowing my dick to roam free, ready for its next adventure.

  “Wait, I don’t have a condom.”

  She sighs and reaches in her nightstand. “Here, I have some.”

  Harley hands me a few and I give her a look. “We pulling an all-nighter?”

  Her body wiggles, teasing underneath me. “I guess we’ll have to see, won’t we?”

  I tear the wrapper with my teeth and slide the condom on. Without waiting any longer, I hover over her body, positioning her for entry. Sliding in with caution, she gasps as I fill her. Intense heat ignites between us as we become one.

  Pumping slowly, we move together, forming a bond we never thought possible—well, at least I didn’t. I bend down to join our lips as I thrust farther, deepening myself inside her. Her mouth opens, gasping as I hit her walls.

  “Oh god.”

  My body pumps faster, feeling every ounce of bliss as intense emotions build. Sweat beads down my forehead as I thrust faster, unable to keep hold of myself. Her breasts bounce as we move in unison, getting near our release.

  “You feel so good, Harley. Shit.”

  My hands grab her legs, lifting both of them into the air, spreading her nice and wide as I continue to pump. She gasps as I stretch her. A deep breath hisses through my teeth; I’m trying to keep control as I push, deeper and deeper. Moans escape her as her fingers travel down her stomach, toward her clit, and she touches herself.

  “Fuck that’s hot.”

  She moans, “You like this?”

  “Fuck yeah.” I watch as she strokes her clit in circles while I continue to pump, each one leading higher and higher, closer to my release. My body heat sizzles as my dick gets harder with each thrust.

  “Shit—Harley…I…”

  She says breathily, “Me too.”

  At that moment, I release, unleashing an explosion of pure bliss inside her. “Oh fuck!”

  She cries out as her body cums underneath me; her walls squeeze my dick, causing even more pleasure as I pound deeper and faster inside her.

  As we both calm down from our highs, I gaze at her, folding her legs back to where they belong. “Are you all right? Didn’t stretch you too far?”

  She shakes her head and smiles. I bend to give her a quick kiss and slip out to race toward the bathroom and clean up.

  Once I’m all clean, I enter her room to find her smiling at me with happiness. She reaches her arm out for me and I give my hand to her. She pulls me back onto the bed and pushes me back as she climbs on top, startling me.

  Sitting in cowgirl position, she licks her lips and asks, “Ready for round two?”

  I smile wide, poking my already hard dick against her body.

  As ready as I’ll ever be.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Harley

  THE ALARMING SOUND of car horns honking through the busy streets startles me awake. Shining light from the morning sun blinds my face and I immediately bury my head into a pillow. My muscles and legs cry out in pain as the soreness sparks an uncomfortable sensation. Visions from last night pop into my head, reminding me of what happened with Taylor.

  My eyes shoot open and my head lifts up from the pillow. Glancing to my other side, I see an empty spot next to me in the bed. The rumpled sheets show evidence of a sleeping inhabitant and a folded note lies on the pillow next to me.

  I grab the note and unfold it, reading its contents. That was fun.

  I spin, laying my back on the bed as I recall the night of passion. My hands cover my face as I have a major freak out.

  Oh shit. Oh shit! I just fucked my client.

  What the hell was I thinking?

  Okay, relax. Keep calm. Nobody is gonna find out.

  But what if they do? I’ll lose my job—my license!

  My mind spins a million miles a minute as I think of all the consequences of my terrible decisions. So stupid!

  But, nothing can be done to change it. I need to realize it’s time to move on and I just can’t let this happen again. My job is on the line, and I’ve worked too hard to screw this up.

  Feeling better after my panic attack, I take a nice, hot shower, scrubbing my body clean of any residual fluids. Inspecting f
or any hickeys, I’m satisfied to see I don’t have any. Thank god. Lathering a nice wad of shampoo, I scrub my hair and scalp, letting the suds build up and relishing the clean coconut scent. I rinse my body and towel dry, ready to begin my day.

  Stepping into my closet, I filter through my dresses, wanting to spruce things up a bit. I usually stick to black and darker colors, but today I’m feeling a little frisky. My eyes land on a fire engine red dress that inches just a couple inches above the knee. This is perfect.

  Rushing to get dressed, I slip on the dress and a matching pair of pumps. With a hint of eye eyeliner and a splash of a smoky eye, my makeup is all set. With my long dark lashes, I have no need for mascara and my cheeks always have color; it’s one of the many qualities about myself that I admire. Yes, I’m attractive; I admit that one hundred percent, but I don’t flaunt it. Instead, I want people to see that I have a classy look instead of that raunchy look. Class versus trash, that’s my motto.

  An hour later, I park my Lexus in the parking garage underneath my office building and grab my briefcase as I make my way to the elevator. Rushing just as it arrives, I call out, not wanting to be left behind. “Hold the elevator!”

  A hand blocks the elevator from closing just as I slip inside. I give my savior a smile and ask him to hit floor twenty-seven for me. He nods with a smile as he pushes the button, illuminating the number on the pad.

  “So, floor twenty-seven. That’s Wentworth, Poole and Bosch, right?”

  I glance at my neighbor. “Yes, that’s correct.”

  He reaches his hand out to me, offering a shake. “I’m Matthew. I’ll be right under you guys at the architecture firm.”

  My hand folds into his as we greet. “Nice to meet you, Matthew. I’m Alejandra.”

  His eyes grow wide. “Wow, beautiful name.”

  I chuckle at his compliment and curve my lips into a smirk. “Thanks. So, architect huh? Is this your first day?”

  He lets go of my hand and steps back into his corner of the elevator. “Yup, first day.”

  His face is full of nervousness and excitement, which brings a touch of joy to mine. It’s nice seeing other people live their dreams just as I live mine. A few seconds later, the elevator slows as it reaches the twenty-sixth floor. The elevator dings and the doors open, waiting for Matthew to begin his new adventure.