The Price We Pay

by Alora Kate

  “I’m so glad you came over. It means something to me that you worried about me.”

  I reached over for her hand and gave her a small reassuring squeeze. “Whatever you need, just let me know.”

  “I think the beer is enough for now, but I do need to call Jaxon.”

  “Let’s get you home first.”

  “Good idea.”

  Chapter 11 – Marvey & Latch

  Marvey

  “It’s Mother’s Day,” I grumbled throwing myself on the bed.

  “Glad your head’s better,” Sofia said, rolling away from me so I wouldn’t hit her.

  “I feel great,” I said rolling to the middle of the bed.

  “Then why do you look sad?” she asked, rolling towards me so we were both facing each other.

  “Mother’s Day always bothers me,” I said adjusting my pillow. I loved Latch’s bed, but he should have splurged for better pillows.

  She reached out and patted my arm. “I’m sorry.”

  “I don’t know why I let it bother me.” I sighed. “I should be used to it by now.”

  “I know I have a mom, but I never remember having that Mother/Daughter bond. Kennedy is closer to his mother, though, I kind of get it.”

  “I don’t get why I let it get to me,” I confessed.

  Every year this day bothered me.

  Every year I let it bother me.

  And every year I get pissed off at myself the next day for letting it bother me. It was a cycle, and I sucked at trying to change it up each year.

  “Marv?” Sofia asked softly.

  “Huh?”

  “You said all of that out loud.”

  I popped up on the bed. “Sorry, I’m being a pooper.”

  “Totally not being a pooper,” she said sitting next to me. She was wearing a new pair of sweats, the ones from the second trip the guys made.

  “You like being comfy?” I asked as she admired her legs.

  “These feel softer.”

  “Your skin is probably used to the material now.”

  She was quiet for a while, rubbing the material between her fingers. “I like them,” she confessed.

  “Thank God!” I yelled up into the room and saw her try to hide her smile. “So, now that my girl’s wearing real clothes, how does she feel about the finals tomorrow?”

  “Fine.”

  “Even after all the shit that’s happened?”

  She eyed me. “Have you ever seen me study?”

  I thought about it. “I do work a lot.”

  “I’m smart.”

  “Okay, brag a little.”

  “My parents wasted their money on tutors during high school. I tried to explain to them that I knew and understood my classes but they didn’t listen. I’m good at remembering things and math comes easily to me.”

  “I’m glad your confident.”

  “I need to be and I need to stay positive. Kenny is good, we are even better so I’m going in there focused and I know I’ll be okay. This is the end; the last hoorah I guess of my single life.”

  “Aww, my baby is growing up,” I joked and pulled her into a hug.

  “This is kind of awkward, Marv.”

  “You love me, so stop fighting it.”

  She gave me a hug, then we both sat up facing each other with our knees touching.

  “So you feel better about marrying Kennedy.”

  “I feel like,” she paused and really thought about what she was thinking and wanted to say. “I guess I feel like it’s actually the right thing to do. Like, all my life I knew I was marrying him, but now it feels like we are being forced to do it. I feel like it’s meant to be.”

  “That’s so romantic.” I cooed and fluttered my eyelashes.

  She smacked my arm and we both started laughing.

  “What’s going on?” Harper asked, walking into the room with a cold look on her face.

  “How was the ride?” I asked ignoring her question. Sofia and I both suppressed a smile knowing her reaction.

  “It was fine.” She always acted like it wasn’t a big deal that she and Jaxon went for rides at night, alone.

  “That’s what you said last night,” I reminded her.

  Jaxon totally adored her. She told us why she fought the attraction so much and Sofia and I agreed, it was stupid. She thought she wasn’t good enough for him, especially when she was planning on going back to her natural hair color. I don’t think she realizes that Jaxon doesn’t care what her hair looks like. I really think he likes her because of who she is.

  “Don’t start with me,” she warned, sitting on the bed, “or I’ll start with Latch.”

  “What about Latch?”

  “He likes you,” Harper stated and Sofia nodded in agreement.

  I stood from the bed. “I know he does. He told me.”

  He told me yesterday, kind of. He doesn’t say much but he kissed me and his kiss was enough to tell me that he liked me.

  “How is it just,” Harper shrugged her shoulder, “whatever with you?”

  “If he likes me, great. If not, his loss.”

  “They kidnapped us.” She reminded me.

  “Yes, kind of. But we kind of needed to be kidnapped.”

  “Don’t remind me.”

  “Good attitude, Marv. It is their loss if they don’t want either of you,” Sofia said, standing. “I’ll be right back.”

  She left and I sat back down on the bed. “You like Jaxon, right?”

  “Of course, I do.”

  “Then just go with the flow.”

  “And what if we get to leave tomorrow? Then what? He’s not done with whatever it is he’s working on. I get the impression he’s not even close to being done.”

  That did suck and Latch gave me the same impression. However, Latch told me that since we were neighbors, it’d be easier for him to visit me. I hoped he would, considering I had a small crush on him.

  “I’m sure he’ll figure it out. Besides, you don’t want to rush into things. Seeing him a few times a month might be good for you.”

  She was quiet for a few minutes and then decided to take a shower. As a self-proclaimed ‘simple girl,’ she sure spent a lot of time in the shower. With her showering now, I wouldn’t have to deal with it in the morning. “Marv.” I popped my head up at the sound of Latch’s deep voice. He was standing in the doorway. He jerked his chin, which meant he wanted me to follow him. I wasn’t doing anything else and I wasn’t ready for bed just yet, so I followed. It was still early, even though we had all watched the sunset with Randy after dinner. It was just what we did after dinner; sat on the steps with a beer, talked or kept to ourselves, and watched the sunset. I think Randy enjoyed the company, at least he’s never complained.

  I followed Latch through the house and Sofia was sitting on the couch, watching me with a devious smile on her face. I flipped her off and she stuck her tongue out at me. I was happy to see her happy. Even in her home, when it was just the two of us, she was never like this. So relaxed and a little carefree, looking super comfortable in her new sweats. She had finals this week, and Jaxon and Latch said they’d make sure she got to them safely. However, Sofia insisted she stop at the condo for new clothes. She couldn’t be seen without wearing something fancy because of her parents.

  Harper and I weren’t invited.

  I’m sure I got fired from my jobs, but I didn’t like them anyway. I’d just find new ones. I was used to it.

  I met Latch on the front porch. “What’s up?” I asked shutting the door behind me.

  He stepped towards me, laying those delicious lips on mine. I backed up until I was against the house and let him kiss me like he did last night.

  Hard.

  Fast.

  Desperate.

  Just the way I liked it.

  “Best I’ve had,” he said pulling away.

  “It’s just a kiss,” I panted.

  “It’s more than a kiss.”

  “Are we actually having a conve
rsation,” I teased, urging him to kiss me again.

  “Fuck that,” he muttered and came back in. I’d rather make out with him than talk, so I kissed him back with everything I had. My legs were around his waist when Randy finally spoke up.

  “My smoke break is over.”

  Latch tore his lips from mine and I dropped my feet, trying to compose myself.

  “Randy,” he acknowledged and stepped away from me.

  “I’m going in now,” he waved at us, “you can continue.”

  He walked inside and I leaned my back against the house while Latch leaned against the porch opposite of me.

  “So…” I said, still catching my breath.

  He crossed his arms on his chest and couldn’t stop grinning at me. “So…”

  “Harper and Jaxon seem to be getting closer.”

  “Yep.”

  I’m not much of a dater. I haven’t really had a relationship with anyone. The longest I was with someone was a few months, and that wasn’t anything special. He thought more of the relationship than I had, and I ended things because we just weren’t on the same page. I’m young. I can barely take care of myself, let alone try to be in a relationship. Especially with someone like him. He was undercover, doing a job. He had many things on his plate at the moment and I wasn’t sure if he really wanted to date me.

  “Why do you like me?” I asked, mimicking his stance.

  He was still grinning. “You want to have a conversation?”

  “I’d like to do anything but have a conversation. However, it's important. You know, clear the air, get on the same page. Stuff like that.”

  “Not much to say.”

  “Say enough,” I told him.

  He pushed off the rail and stood before me. He gently touched my cheek, holding my head in his hands. “You’re adorable, but you also got spunk. You’re carefree. A little too much considering the situation you got yourself into. I like that you don’t take life too seriously, like some people. Like me. I think it could balance the two of us out. You can wear anything, including that stupid yellow hat and look hot as fuck. I can’t tell you about the rest of your body, but I can imagine how spectacular it is.” He brushed his lips against mine. “You’re very sweet,” he said softly then brushed his lips against my ear, “and I can’t wait to taste all of you.”

  If my panties weren’t soaked, they’d probably catch on fire.

  He pulled back and continued, “Not only can I see it, but I feel it. How much you care for others when you were raised alone, not having that kind of influence in your life. You look after Sofia like a sister. Can’t fake that.”

  “We were meant to be friends.”

  “I can see she needs you, just like you need her.”

  I nodded and pulled him even closer. “I’m impressed with this conversation, but I’m done.”

  “You sure.”

  I nodded. “For now, yes I’m done.”

  He didn’t hesitate to kiss me. I wanted desperately for his hands to roam down my body and into my pants, but he never pushed passed that boundary. If we weren’t on the porch, I’d take my shirt off and not give him much of a choice but to fondle and grope me.

  The front door busted open and Jaxon came rushing out. “Latch.” It was all he had to say, the tone and eagerness had Latch apologizing to me before he followed Jaxon out to the yard. I went back inside seeing that Randy was the only one on the couch, watching a movie.

  “Goodnight, Randy.”

  He raised his hand acknowledging me and I used the restroom before going to bed.

  I noticed Harper was missing when I crawled into bed.

  “Where is she?” I asked getting comfortable, realizing that she was still awake.

  “She went with Jaxon after her shower.”

  “Normally she’s in there longer,” I commented.

  She chuckled, “I know.”

  I popped up on my side. “Somethings up. Jaxon took Latch aside. He seemed really pissed off.”

  “Do you think it has something to do with Harper?” Sofia asked with a yawn.

  “Maybe. Randy’s alone, so Harper must be in Jaxon’s room.”

  “They’re totally going to bonk.”

  I laughed and tried to tickle her. “Oh my God, did you just say, bonk?”

  She rolled away and jumped off the bed smiling. “So?”

  “It’s not proper,” I said in my best English accent, which sounded nothing like an English accent. “This house is good for you.”

  “I guess so.” She slowly moved towards the bed. “No more touching,” she warned me with a smile, sitting on the edge of the mattress.

  I made a cross against my chest with my finger. “Okay.”

  “I’m serious, Marvey.”

  I jumped up on my knees. “You’re going down, woman.” I was able to grab ahold of her foot and started tickling it. She laughed and fell halfway off the bed.

  “Stop!” she laughed, trying to pull her foot away. “It tickles!”

  “Marvey,” I reminded her, and she managed to roll up on the bed more.

  “Okay, Marv.”

  I dropped her foot and stood from the bed. “That’s what I thought.” I brushed my hair off my face and fixed my ponytail. She laughed and we heard a knock at the door. I yelled for them to come in and turned my head to see Latch poke his head in and right back out.

  I turned back to Sofia.

  “Go get bonked!” she said with her impression of a fake English accent.

  “I’m not getting bonked with all of you in this house,” I told her.

  “Then go for a ride,” she suggested. “Do it on the bike.”

  I shrugged a shoulder. “Too awkward.”

  “Whatever you do, have fun,” she yelled after me.

  Latch was standing by the bathroom door.

  “What’s up?” I asked and he grabbed my hand. We walked down the hallway and to the other side of the living room. The lights were off so I assumed everyone else was in bed. He was taking me to his room. I’ve been in this room, but only when he wasn’t there. Us girls shared his master bedroom so I knew this was just a spare room for him.

  I sat down at the end of the bed and Latch leaned against the closed door.

  “So…” I smiled and got one in return.

  “Jaxon had to leave, but he’ll be back in the morning to take Sofia to her finals.”

  “Okay.”

  “You’re going with Jaxon.”

  “Really?” I said getting giddy.

  “Yeah, but don’t get too excited, you’ll be sitting in the van with him.”

  “It’s okay. It’s a break from this place.”

  His eyebrows furrowed.

  “Not that I don’t like your house, I love your house but you know…change of scenery and stuff,” I rambled.

  “I figured it’d be good for you.”

  “Thanks for thinking of me.”

  Latch

  I think of Marvey often. Too often. These make-out sessions were great, don’t get me wrong, but I wanted more. I wanted to worship her body with my mouth and explore her with my tongue. I would have more. When this job was done, we’d have more.

  Jaxon and I were working on getting the girls home safely. They all had lives to live and our intel so far had told us that there was no threat to Sofia and Marvey; they had just made bad decisions and were at the wrong place at the wrong time. Kennedy was the target the night he was shot; it wasn’t Sofia. So now that that was cleared up we wanted to get them home. Sofia was moving in with Kennedy and he was working on extra security detail to make that happen.

  “We’re working on getting you and Sofia home.”

  She pulled her feet up on the bed and sat Indian style. “How soon?”

  “Days.”

  “Sofia will like that,” she commented, picking at her nails.

  “And you?”

  She shrugged a shoulder and never looked up. “Randy will be lonely.”

  “Harper
has to stay.”

  She finally looked up. “I thought so.”

  “Too much of a risk for her.”

  “I feel bad for her.”

  “You know she did it to herself,” I said the best I could, trying not to be an asshole.

  “I know, but she’s very hell bent on finding the guy that killed her brother.”

  “Jaxon is working on that.”

  She scooted to the edge of the bed. “Is he fucking with her?”

  “Excuse me?” I said stepping in front of her so I was between her legs.

  “He better not be playing her. Being nice to her just so she’ll obey. She’s very emotional right now and I’d hate for it all to be a lie, even though,” she tapped her chin, “…even though he looks at her like she’s his whole world.”

  I reached down and slid my hand into her hair and gently pulled her head back so I had her eyes, and her mouth. I leaned down, putting my other hand on the bed, trapping her in my arms. “Can we go back to not having a conversation?”

  She licked her lips, and I took that as an invitation.

  I wasn’t wrong.

  The woman had a wicked mouth and soft lips. She moved with me, and just like all the other times, we were in sync. I lay her down on the bed and slipped my hand up her shirt. She did the same in return. I reached up her back and undid her bra with one hand, making her gasp.

  “I can’t even do that,” she said breathlessly, “you’re talented.”

  “Honey, you have no idea how talented I am.”

  “Show me,” she said running her hand down my chest to the top of my jeans.

  “You sure?”

  “It’s just sex, Latch,” she breathed.

  How I wished to hear my real name on her lips. “Sex,” I grunted while she readjusted herself. I sat up so she could remove my jeans.

  “Hot.” She undid the button and pressed a kiss along my trail. “Sweaty.” She pulled the zipper down, antagonizing slow, running her lips up my stomach. “Sex,” she moaned in my ear.

  “I can do that,” I growled, pushing her down on the bed.

  She laughed and put her hands above her head, eyeing me as I slipped my jeans off. I slipped my boxers off showing her how much I wanted her, and she propped up on her elbows. She bit her lip then watched me pull her shorts down, exposing her beautiful curves and panties. I crawled on the bed and grabbed her foot, putting it on my shoulder. I ran my right hand up her leg and slowly pushed her knee to the side. As my hand made its way to her panties, her breathing picked up. My hand skimmed over her panties then she helped me slide them off. I dropped my head between her legs and slowly licked her. She moaned and arched her back, pushing herself against my mouth. I made sure I licked and kissed every part of her, bringing her to orgasm in my mouth. She wasted no time, sitting up, grabbing my cock, leading me to her so I could slowly push in.