Two Can Play (Alphachat.com #2)

by Victoria Ashley

  What can he possibly say that he hasn’t already? It’s the weight of all of it that’s been heavy on me for awhile now. I guess this is the best time to get it all out. I decide to let him say everything he needs to because it’s best if we leave it all out on the hood of his truck.

  “Alright, I’m listening.” I give in and let him say what he needs to.

  “The fact that you’re a strong independent woman is the reason I’m so attracted to you. My goal is not to control you, but to encourage you to live life, constantly safe and happy. If I make you scream anything, it’ll be my name as you come over and over while I’m doing nothing but pleasing you in that bed . . . Or wherever we decide we can’t keep our hands off each other.” I swallow hard as he continues to talk, saying all the perfect things to make this even harder to take in.

  “You won’t ever get questions from me and I’m guessing you understand that I know how a career could be hard for someone to handle. It’s something I’ve thought long and hard about, because I don’t want to stop working at the Alpha House. I’m just getting started and have so many ideas for growth. One of them making your show more successful each week.” The more he talks, the louder I hear what he’s saying.

  “I have no intention of changing your path in life, only hoping to get to walk beside you and all that mushy shit.” I laugh at his way of getting rid of some of the heaviness of this conversation.

  “Nice. Mushy shit, huh?”

  “I’m not about to get deep in all that when I know that’ll make you slide that fine ass off this truck and run again. I get it. I make you feel and you didn’t want to feel me. Well, guess what . . . I’m real big for you not to feel.” He grabs himself and laughs in a playful manner, making me smile at his teasing. He just seems to always amuse me with his humor and it makes for a more relaxed time when I’m with him like this.

  “Can you ever be serious or is it always about your cock with you?” I lie back on the windshield and look at the sky while I wait for his response. He’s careful not to reach for me or hold me and I honestly notice it immediately.

  “Well, it’s definitely an important part of my day, but it also keeps you smiling when I taunt you. What can I say, I’m used to using it as a tease so it’s just where I start.”

  “Were you really going to sleep out here?”

  “Yep. Sure as hell was. I don’t want him getting anywhere near you.” My heart actually skips a beat with his response. I hate how I came at him when all he was doing was trying to protect me. It makes me feel like a giant bitch.

  “Sorry I yelled at you. Thank you for trying to watch over me, but you know you can’t sleep out here.” I can’t expect him to do something like this.

  “It’s about time you let me back in your bed. I’ve been waiting on you to come to your senses.” He sits up and slides off the truck. His grip on my ankles is the next thing I feel before he drags my ass across the hood until I’m being lowered to stand on my feet.

  “That’s not what I meant and you know it.” He smiles back at me, confirming he knew what I was meaning.

  “I know, but you can’t blame a guy for trying.” He stops talking and just looks at me. I wait for him to say something to tease me, but he doesn’t.

  “Stop thinking so much. Just let it all happen as it does. I won’t pressure you into anything more than just knowing you’re protected. I’m not leaving here tonight, so just go inside and get your rest. Let me watch over your house and we can both feel safe.” He’s out of his mind if he thinks I could ever let him sleep on top of his truck. Hell, I’m practically rubbing my legs together to keep from climbing him again and letting him do what we both want.

  “Just come inside, but don’t get any damn ideas from this. Being fuck friends is still all I can handle.”

  “That I can deal with.” He moves to lock up his truck and I feel relief that all of that is over. I’ve told him what I can handle and he seems to understand that’s all I can give.

  It’s up to him now to keep his end of the bargain and let me be me and I’ll let him do his thing.

  I just need to remember that doesn’t mean we can’t both meet up and do each other when we feel the need.

  SHE’S MAKING IT HARD TO not grab her and carry her inside. I fight the urge like I’ve never had to. Talking to her only made me want her more.

  I understand where she’s coming from, but that doesn’t mean I have to give up on what I really want. It seems like she’s a little more relaxed and maybe I can lay off a little and she’ll come around, but with me that isn’t really likely no matter how much I tell myself that’s the plan.

  I’m obviously making it too easy for her to push me away, maybe it’s time she knows what it feels like to have someone fuck and run. First I’d have to pry myself away from her and I don’t see that happening either.

  “Just come inside, but don’t get any damn ideas from this.” The hunger in her voice is music to my ears. I won’t get any ideas that aren’t already there, that’s all I can promise.

  “That I can deal with.” I’ll have to take what I can get with her until she comes around. Something tells me my plan to make a little change in my game will have her rethinking her rules.

  I quickly lock up my truck and follow her inside. Even with her hair pulled up and these hideous shorts she’s wearing, I’m still looking at her like I always do. She can’t even hide behind all of that ridiculousness with that body of hers.

  She’s silent all the way through her house and up the stairs to her bedroom. I’m slow to move inside her room, allowing her to make the first move. Is she wanting me to sleep next to her, or are we doing this my way?

  She slowly unbuttons her shirt and slides her shorts down her legs. I watch her naked body while she pulls the elastic out of her hair, shaking it out as it falls around her shoulders.

  Her nipples are hard and her skin is flushed, but it’s her eyes that I’m drawn to. She’s craving my touch and it might just be time to make her beg a little.

  I don’t move a muscle while I watch her slide her fingers between her legs and taunt me. She squeezes her thighs together and makes a few noises to tempt my resistance, but I hold strong.

  It’s not until she opens her mouth that I rub my hand over my erection. “You like to watch, don’t you?” Fuck yes I like to watch. Give me a fucking show that I’ll never forget.

  “I do.” Keep it simple.

  “I’m new at this, so don’t judge too harshly.” She slips the same two fingers in her mouth and sucks them in until her cheeks hollow.

  “Quit wasting your time on your fingers. I’ll give you something to suck on.” She smiles at me as she slides them out of her mouth and over her nipples.

  “I figured you’d say something like that. Maybe I like the way I taste.” Holy fuck. She needs to stop talking before I fuck the words right out of her damn mouth. Stay back. Make her come to you.

  “You can still taste yourself on my cock. Give me five minutes and you’ll really get to savor greatness.” Her eyes open slightly as she takes in my bold response. I can do this all day. Hell, I practically do already, but this is the first time I’ve truly wanted to make all of my threats and promises a reality.

  She slips her fingers in deeper, pressing her tits together as she does.

  “You like it when I talk dirty, look at you clenching your thighs together wishing it was my big dick inside you. Instead you’re stuck with those pretty little fingers of yours.”

  “Stop playing around and fuck me.”

  “You do realize this means nothing and I can’t do anything more with you than this right here.” I tease her further, repeating her own words back at her as I kick off my jeans. “Good thing it’s what I do best. Get on your knees, I think it’s time your mouth is properly introduced to my dick.”

  She goes to her knees as I approach her with my hard on in my hand. Her grip around the base has me releasing it while I stand there and take in the feeling of her to
ngue swirling around.

  I can’t resist guiding her even deeper when she takes it to her throat and holds me there. With my grip on her head, I fuck her mouth until she’s literally gagging and drool is running down her chin. She doesn’t get up and even goes back for more.

  “Get on the bed. I want that pussy.” She does exactly as I say and even looks better than I imagined. Her ass is fucking unreal and I can see how wet she is from here while she positions herself on all fours at the edge of the bed.

  “You can almost feel me inside you, can’t you? Your tight grip as I slide in and out of you until you can’t stand it any longer.”

  “Yesss. That’s what I want. Just stop talking and get over here.” I slide on the condom like the pro I am and drop everything else on the floor.

  I do as she begs and make it a point to enter her just like she wants. Hard and fast. She doesn’t get any more foreplay. We’ve had enough of the back and forth teasing and it’s time to fucking get to the good stuff.

  “So good,” she whimpers through her words and I keep up a steady rhythm. It’s my pleasure to make her forget all the bullshit she’s been stirring in that head of hers. She’s mine and she’ll soon realize that herself. Until then, I’ll just remind her every chance I get.

  “Fuck yes.” I can’t hold back the fast pace and I literally fuck her over the edge of her release and straight up to my own before I purposely slow down to make it all last longer.

  I lean over her and slide my hands over her body, appreciating every single inch of her.

  “Turn over. I want to watch you.” We move positions and something clicks in me as I watch her watching me. She’s trying to hide what she’s feeling, but I can see right through her. She feels me. She feels us. And it’s my job to make sure she never forgets what she’s feeling right now.

  I slide in slow and never let my eyes fall from hers. She’s searching my face and chest as I move over her with each thrust until she leans her head back and closes her eyes. It’s all too much for her to take, so I slow down even more and make her look at me again.

  “Watch me, Karma,” I whisper against her neck and she instantly opens her eyes. She slowly slides her fingernails across my back and I know she’s just trying to encourage me to lose it like normal, but I’m not going to. She’s always taken me fucking her, but this time I’m going to show her how I can also make love.

  This will be a first for me. I don’t do this, but I seem to say that a lot when it comes to Karma.

  Her eyes shift again and I move in and out of her slowly, making sure to feel each breath of hers against my face.

  This is real. She can try to run from what we have, but when it comes down to it, she can’t stay away.

  We move as one for hours until we both release together. I pull her against my chest and hold her afterward, staying awake the rest of the night. Listening to her every breath made me think all night.

  I want this woman in my life. I want to see her everyday, fuck her every day. Hell, I want her in my bed and in my way all damn day.

  She’s not there and it sucks to be this into someone who won’t allow you in, even though you know you belong there.

  I slide out of bed and quietly pull my clothes on when I first see the sunlight coming through the window. She wants that space, I’ll give it to her. It might do her good to wake up and find that I left her for once.

  If this doesn’t work, I’ll just fucking grab her and tie her to my bed until I can convince her what we have is real.

  I WAKE UP TO AN empty bed and a hollow feeling in my chest, at the fact that Blaze slipped away and left me in the middle of the night.

  My mind instantly replays the events of last night and the more I think about how it felt when he made love to me and then held me close, the more the emptiness in my chest grows. I can’t shake this aching feeling I have for him.

  He’s made me feel things I never thought I’d feel. His words, his lips and his body awakened something in me, making me realize that I’m in too deep with him to crawl my way out and just pretend that I don’t want him for more than just sex.

  This feeling . . . in my chest. The ache . . . it’s real. There’s no denying it. It confirms everything I’ve been trying so hard to deny. I can’t walk away from this man and in fact, I want nothing more than to go to him.

  Closing my eyes, I inhale and then slowly exhale, while trying to figure out how I’m going to get through this day before the live show tonight. He’s consuming my mind and I still need to function outside of the world of Blaze.

  Lynx set up a meeting with a couple of his artist friends at my shop and I’m supposed to be there in less than an hour to check out their portfolios.

  How the hell am I supposed to even concentrate with the flood of emotions washing through me right now?

  “Damn you, Blaze. You always find a way to get to me . . .”

  I find myself in a daze, doing my morning routine without much thought, before I’m pulling up outside my shop. It doesn’t matter how I feel right now. This has to be done this morning. My shop is the most important thing to me and getting more artists in here is a must. The calls since we started the live shows have become insane. We’re working on one hell of a call back list to contact once my new guys get started.

  That should be a great incentive for them to come to work for me, not many can walk in to a full client schedule like I’m about to hand over to them.

  My mind shifts back to Blaze again. Why can’t I get him out of my mind? It shouldn’t be this hard to focus. “Get a damn grip, Karma.” I talk out loud as I look at myself in the mirror.

  All of my thoughts of Blaze will have to wait until tonight. I can’t deal with all these emotions and confusion while I’m in the shop; Charlie will call me out on that shit right away.

  When I step out of my car, Charlie is leaning against the side of the building, talking and laughing with one of the guys Lynx must’ve sent for the shop.

  He’s tall, in shape and inked up from head to toe. Exactly how Charlie likes them. Let’s just hope that his artwork looks as good as he does for her sake.

  Charlie and the tatted up hottie look my way and smile. I walk over and stop in front of them before I reach out and attempt to shake his hand.

  The guy smiles and tosses his cigarette down, before holding his hand out to take mine. “You must be Karma, I’m Gage, and I hope like hell that you like my work because this shop is where I plan to be.”

  I smile and grab his hand, giving it a quick shake, before turning to Charlie to see her beaming.

  “I hope so too, Gage.” I need something to go right today. “Let’s step inside and I’ll take a look.”

  He nods his head and pulls a folder out from under his arm. He guides Charlie to go in front of him and I see him checking her out as I unlock the door and let us all in.

  “I’ll be over here,” Charlie says happily. “I’ll gather the paperwork.”

  I laugh and watch Charlie looking through the drawers for the paperwork we give to new all new contract artists to fill out. “What makes you so sure that we’ll need those papers?”

  “Because I already looked at his work. Fucking beautiful! My eyes could hardly handle it and he’s doing my next piece.”

  Gage lifts a brow and smiles at me with a confidence that I like. I could definitely see him fitting in well with the rest of the shop.

  I shake my head at Charlie and let her go about her business, while Gage begins pulling out his portfolio shots and displaying them on the glass countertop.

  My eyes widen with each drawing he pulls out; he is damn talented and has a perfect dark twist to his designs that intrigue the hell out of me. I even find myself gasping at one. Hell, he may be doing my next piece.

  My heart is racing with excitement and relief that I’ve found someone that will fit perfectly. I almost have an urge to scream that he’s hired before he changes his damn mind.

  “Wow . . .” I find myself touchi
ng his work, tracing my fingers over it. “Your work is brilliant. It’s not very often that you see someone with such talent. I want you in my shop. Let’s talk details if you’re interested.”

  Gage smiles and runs a hand through his long, dark hair, slicking it back. “That’s the answer I was hoping to get. Lynx has told me a lot about your business and I’d love to be a part of it.”

  “Great.” I turn to Charlie and smile. “Today’s your lucky day, sweets. Get him in the system and set up. I’m gonna mess around with a few things in my room before the second guy shows up.”

  Charlie doesn’t even look at me when I speak to her. She’s too busy ogling over Gage.

  Having her distracted only gives me more space to sit back and try to get my thoughts of Blaze in check.

  I find myself checking my cell for any text messages or missed calls from him, but nothing. Not a word from him since he left my bed. This disappoints me much more than I would’ve ever thought.

  My mind stays on Blaze, until Charlie pushes my door open and pokes her head inside. “Myles is here. I already have him pulling out his artwork for you.”

  “Thanks,” I say softly, keeping my eyes on my phone.

  I hear the door close and think that she’s gone, until she speaks again. “Are you okay? You seem a little out of it today.”

  I nod my head and set my phone down. “I’m fine. Just thinking about things that I shouldn’t be.” I stand up and offer her a small smile. “So does Gage still have your attention or is this Myles guy your new distraction and target?”

  She laughs and opens the door. “I guess you’ll see for yourself. You know I don’t like to limit myself to just one guy to flirt with. There’s plenty of Charlie loving to go around.”

  I follow her out the door and am happy to see Gage and Myles talking and showing each other some of their work. I can tell from the expression on Gage’s face that he’s impressed with Myles’ work, which is my first clue that he’ll be our second new guy for the shop.

  And from the look of these guys, I won’t be surprised if they bring in a whole new set of clients, lining up to get tattooed from the hot new guys. Should’ve known anyone that Lynx knows is ridiculously good looking and will be perfect eye candy for the damn shop. It won’t hurt the shop one bit to have these guys in house.