Finger Bang

by Jade C. Jamison

  He had to believe they would.

  * * *

  As promised, Blaze arrived at the girls’ house before Kaylee’s parents arrived. Rachel had coffee going, but it was so hot out already that Blaze wanted something cool to drink. She also had a jar of sun tea on the counter and ice in the freezer, so he made himself a tall glass.

  Kaylee came out of her bedroom a minute later and gave Blaze a shy kiss on the cheek. Ah…she was going to be demure while her parents were there. That probably meant he should keep his hands completely to himself unless she initiated the contact. He was going to have to follow her lead.

  She seemed fidgety, so he asked, “You okay?”

  He saw that her hands were shaking ever so slightly, so no matter what words came out of her mouth, he knew she was nervous. “Yeah, I guess.”

  He placed his hands on her shoulders. “It’ll be fine.”

  She nodded, her eyes searching his. “Yeah, I know. It’s just—” The doorbell rang then and Kaylee almost jumped at the noise.

  Rachel said, “I’ll get it.” Blaze smiled at her and kissed her cheek, but then stepped back, grabbing his tea off the table and taking a drink. After a few seconds, he heard his sister. “Kaylee, your mom and dad are here.” Like they hadn’t figured it out. Kaylee forced a smile and walked out of the kitchen. Holy crap—she really was on edge about her parents. He was glad he’d decided to play the good boyfriend and not pressure her to do anything she was nervous about. She needed to move at her own pace.

  He felt a little better when she grabbed his hand before walking out of the kitchen toward the front door through the living room. She wasn’t putting a huge wall between them like he’d halfway expected. That was a relief.

  But then he saw the parents. Okay…so he could see why Kaylee was a little edgy—and now he was too. Her dad was a huge guy—well over six feet tall and as broad as a semi. He looked as solid as one too. Blaze thought he could see a twinkle in the man’s blue eyes, but he wasn’t sure of it. Her mother was also tall, several inches taller than Kaylee, and Blaze wondered why Kaylee was so short compared to her parents. It was cute, really. Appearance-wise, she looked like her mom, though—they had the exact same nose and almond eyes, but her mother appeared to be well-manicured and high maintenance, not at all like her daughter in that regard. However, she too seemed quite frosty. There was no smile even trying to jump out of her face.

  “Mom, dad,” Kaylee said, a smile in her voice in spite of the nerves Blaze knew she was keeping under control. His girlfriend hugged and kissed both her parents and then turned around. “This is my boyfriend, Blaze Donahue.”

  “Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Baker.”

  Kaylee’s dad grinned. “Please…call us Jon and Sharon.”

  The man’s handshake nearly broke all the bones in Blaze’s hand, but he gave as good as he got. No way was he going to let her dad know. He felt like he needed to be worthy in these people’s eyes, even if he and Kaylee wound up not working.

  The ride to the restaurant was strained. Blaze and Kaylee sat in the back of the sedan her father drove. Country music blared out of the speakers behind Blaze’s head and her father was talking about the current political climate, his views almost the direct opposite of what Blaze believed.

  Yeah…this was gonna be so much fun.

  * * *

  They were finally seated at a steakhouse and perusing the menu. Kaylee’s parents sat on one side of the booth, she and Blaze on the other, and she reached over to squeeze his hand. She knew that, as hard as it was on her, it was even worse on him.

  Her dad had said something like “You kids get whatever you want on the menu,” meaning he’d be more than happy to dish out the dough for a large porterhouse or a juicy rib eye, and he wouldn’t so much as bat an eyelash.

  Her mom and dad ordered their typical fare—a variety of steak with a baked potato and side vegetable. She herself ordered a cheeseburger and fries. Blaze, though…he did what seemed to be typical of him—he was blazing a new trail with her parents. Some of her past boyfriends (which made it sound like she’d had many, which she had not), a couple of boys in high school, had tried to buddy up to her parents, but Blaze was going to be himself. He ordered fries and a house salad. Her dad asked him not once but twice if he wanted more or something else.

  After the waitress left, Blaze said, “I’m vegetarian, sir…I mean Jon, and those things looked like the safest things on the menu that I could eat.”

  “Hmm.” Kaylee started feeling uncomfortable. She knew how her dad could be, and even though he was taking a sip of his beer and looking like he was going to chill, she knew better. She let out the breath she’d been holding in when he asked, “So what’s your major, son?”

  Blaze smiled. “Environmental Studies, with an emphasis on sustainability. I graduated in May.”

  Her father nodded. “Oh. So what are you doing now?”

  “I’m working on a graduate degree in that same field.”

  The waitress brought salads for her mom, dad, and Blaze, along with a basket of rolls. She grabbed a roll and a pat of butter, all while trying to think of a good way to steer the conversation toward something neutral and safe. She felt on edge and wanted things to be smooth, but she worried about her father. She knew he was like a ticking time bomb.

  Little did she know how close he was to going off. As the three of them started stabbing at their salads and Kaylee took a bite of roll, her father said, “So why don’t you eat meat, son? I suppose it’s some do-gooder hippy reason. You’re in communion with the animals or some such. Am I right?”

  Kaylee wanted to die. Her dad was in rare form, and she suspected it was because he knew Blaze was special to her. She looked over and saw a glint of something in Blaze’s eye, something she’d never seen before. He said, “Actually, no. I chose to become vegetarian several years ago to do my part in saving the planet.”

  Kaylee’s mother tilted her head. “Saving the planet?”

  “Yeah. You hear all the time about how car emissions contribute to climate change, right? But how often do you hear about how methane from concentrated animal farms contributes? Methane from cattle raised for beef—the steaks they’re cooking for you right now—are more responsible for global warming than the car you’re driving.”

  Kaylee could tell that her father was skeptical. He raised an eyebrow. “That sounds like a load of bull.”

  “It’s not, sir. It’s what I’ve studied for the past four years. I’m not judging you or anyone else for their food choices, but I have made the conscious decision to avoid meat for that reason.” Kaylee wasn’t going to say a word, but she knew that Blaze also rode a bike on occasion. He also recycled faithfully. There were so many things she knew he did out of passion for his cause. She respected that.

  Her dad finished his salad and grabbed a roll, slathering butter on it. “Well, son, some of us believe that global warming is inevitable. There is a natural cooling and warming of the planet that happens regularly, and there’s not much we can do to change that.” Blaze chewed on a cherry tomato and didn’t say a word. Kaylee’s dad continued. “Add to the whole mix that God gave us dominion over the animals, and we shouldn’t worry about what happens in the here and now. Our treasure is stored for us in heaven.”

  Yeah. Those were the things Kaylee couldn’t quite make herself believe anymore. She thought it was selfish and irresponsible to refuse to do anything to help the planet just because it wasn’t her “permanent” home. She would never argue it with her father, though, because she loved him and respected his opinion, even though she no longer agreed with it. She could tell Blaze was not happy at all, but he too kept his mouth shut. She squeezed his knee, hoping her parents couldn’t tell what she was doing, but she wanted to give him some support.

  The waitress brought the main dishes out and whisked away her dad and Blaze’s salad bowls; her mother was still picking at her own. Kaylee squirted some ketchup on her plate and finally felt ready to
say what she’d been planning to the entire afternoon. “By the way, Blaze is going to be moving into the extra bedroom at our house. His roommate moved out and he needs a new place to live.”

  Blaze nearly spat the water in his mouth across the table all over her mother, but he managed to cover his mouth with a napkin before it progressed that far. He coughed twice and then looked at Kaylee. “No, we agreed that I wouldn’t.”

  “No, I made you all feel like you couldn’t.”

  “Hold on, now. I don’t know how I feel about a man living in the same house as my daughter, especially one with romantic designs for her.”

  Oh, dad, Kaylee thought. If only you knew. But she had told herself that she wouldn’t back down, not this time. “Dad,” she said, but glanced over at her mother too, “I am a grown woman. If I decide one of my roommates can be a man, then so be it.” She swallowed hard but she kept her eyes on her father. She only hoped her pupils weren’t dilating with the fear she could feel deep down, clear to her toes. “Would it bother you as much if it were just some guy I wasn’t dating?”

  Her father’s voice grew dangerously low. “That’s not the point, young lady, and you know it. You are dating him.”

  Blaze cleared his throat. “I’m not moving in with them anyway.”

  Kaylee felt her courage grow. Somehow, just having Blaze by her side made her feel stronger. “What if I wanted to move in with Blaze? As his girlfriend?”

  Her mother made some sort of a squeak, as if she couldn’t believe her ears. Her father leaned over the table. “I would advise against that.”

  “That’s what I’m trying to say, dad. I am a grown woman. I can and do make my own decisions. I have to pay my bills. I have to work and go to school. And I’ve finally found someone I love who makes me feel like I am worthy of being loved in return. Where I am in my life…I’m not ready for marriage, not by a long shot, but I can’t stand the idea of being without Blaze for a day.” She turned to him. He looked more shocked than her mother had. “I know the past few days have been so weird. I think you thought I didn’t care, but I love you, Blaze. I have never felt with anyone else the way I do with you. Fine if you don’t want to move in with us, but I don’t want it to be because of some stupid rule I have in my head. And I can’t avoid it because I’m worried about the future either.” He still looked dumfounded, but she couldn’t leave her parents hanging. “Either you guys love me for who I am and the woman I’ve become, or that’s it, but I can’t keep hiding in the shadows my whole life.”

  Her father cut into his steak. “I’m sorry. I just can’t process this right now, and my food’s getting cold.” Her mother nodded and picked up her steak knife as well.

  Blaze didn’t say a word but he tilted his head and winked at her. And that was when Kaylee thought maybe everything would work out all right.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  KAYLEE STRETCHED ON top of the covers, glad the fan was blowing, because the air was stifling. The swamp cooler did a great job of keeping the house cooled off, but it wouldn’t make her room feel better unless the door was open.

  And there was no way she was going to open it.

  Yeah, it was late at night, but an open door would all but ensure that Maddy and Rachel would hear the activity. Blaze had already given her two orgasms in the space of an hour, and she didn’t know how to keep herself quiet. She wondered if maybe, with time, she’d learn to control the noise she made, but she had her doubts.

  She lay there spent as he crawled back up to the top of the bed. He lay on his side, propping his head up with his hand, his elbow digging into the bed. His other hand swirled a pattern on her belly. She felt exhausted and giddy. She smiled at him in the dim light of the candles on the nightstand. “So what are we gonna do for you?”

  He grinned. “I’m good.”

  “Baloney.” She was tired, but she’d had a trick up her sleeve, something Maddy had suggested. Even though listening to her friend sometimes got her in trouble and always made her nervous, she had to give some things a shot. This was something she felt a little more certain about.

  “Remember how we got together?” Her mind drifted back. It had been a crazy half a year. And since having lunch with her parents, they hadn’t spoken to her for weeks and had had their pastor calling Kaylee several days a week. Finally, though, they’d come back for a second visit, this time in August, telling Kaylee that they loved her and wanted her to be a part of their life. They would pray for her, though, because they didn’t approve of what she was doing.

  She was sad that her parents couldn’t simply accept who she was and what she wanted and needed, but they did finally acknowledge that Blaze was a good guy.

  Yes, he was a very good guy, because he moved into the extra bedroom instead of into Kaylee’s room like she’d asked. He flat out told her it was out of respect for her parents.

  Not that it mattered. He never slept in his own room. His room upstairs had a twin bed, but Kaylee’s was a double, and it felt empty now on nights when Blaze had to work. She’d grown used to having him by her side.

  Blaze looked at her and grinned as she sat up. “How could I forget? I can’t believe you let me finger you and you hardly knew me.”

  She giggled, surprised she wasn’t blushing. “I knew you just fine. Besides, you got me drunk and high.”

  “I did no such thing. I just loosened you up.”

  She kissed him on the nose. “I think I needed it, but I’m glad I did.” She rolled on her side and reached under the bed for the plastic bottle she’d hidden under there earlier. “I think it’s time to return the favor.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. I know you don’t exactly finger a guy, but I did learn a thing or two about hand jobs.” She held up the bottle of baby oil, swinging it back and forth as it dangled from between her index finger and thumb.

  He laughed. “Wow. What makes you think I’ll let you seduce me?”

  “Do I need to bring in a cheap ass bottle of wine and a yoga mat?”

  “That might be a nice start.”

  She giggled again and snuggled up close. She dropped the bottle on the bed behind his back and began playing with the button on his jeans. “Thank you for everything.”

  “Don’t thank me, Kaylee.” He looked at her, his eyes clear and earnest. “I love you. I’d do anything for you.”

  “I love you, too, but don’t change the subject.” She blinked. “I don’t think I would have ever felt this free with anyone else. Thank you for being patient with me…for not giving up on me.”

  “Never.” He kissed her then, winding his fingers into her hair. “But I am feeling pretty impatient about this baby oil hand job.”

  Kaylee laughed harder then. “Coming right up!” He grinned. “Now,” she said, “we both need to focus on having you achieve mindful orgasm…”

  Oh, he had no idea the O she had planned for him…and the night was still young, just like they were.

  Up next!

  Inked

  An Anthology

  Five contemporary romance and erotica authors bring you the collection Inked—five full-length novels centering around all things tattoos.

  Punctured, Bruised, and Barely Tattooed – Jade C. Jamison

  Kory McCallister has had her eyes on tattoo artist Stone Bowman for quite some time—so long, in fact, that no other guy will do. Stone pushes every turn on button Kory has—he’s tattooed from head to toe (well, at least she prays he’s tattooed on his lower half); he’s hot; he’s funny and charming; and he’s also mysterious. So when Kory’s friends dare her to ask Stone out on a date, she can’t believe she actually finds the guts to do it.

  More surprising? He takes her up on the offer.

  She discovers that, while his past might not be quite as dark or mysterious as she’d imagined, it’s bigger than she’d expected, and it’s something she will need to contend with if she decides she wants to keep him around to color her life for good.

  Shattered
Strings – JM Walker

  Evancroft. This one word means everything to me. My band. My heart. My life. Without the music, I am nothing. I don’t exist. When we play, we are one. We are in control.

  On stage I am a woman. Powerful. Dominating. Forcing the crowd to submit to my words. Off stage? I am the complete opposite. Innocent.

  Jace Croft. He is the oil to my water. The darkness to my light. My band mate. My best friend.

  One unexpected night together unleashes new feelings that we both try to ignore but the band comes first. It always comes first.

  Or so I thought.

  House of Payne – Stacy Gail

  Life is supposedly what you make of it, but that’s crap as far as 3D artist, Becks Delgado is concerned. She never wanted her brother to die in a car accident… or to be the one who was behind the wheel. Her external scars are nothing compared to the raw wounds inside, and death seems to be the only way to find peace.

  Sebestian Payne took the concept of a tattoo parlor and transformed it into a sophisticated gallery of living art. The House Of Payne now caters to the rich and infamous, has garnered a worldwide following, and is run by Sebastian with an iron fist. He knows Becks is exactly what The House Of Payne needs, but there’s a problem. The accident that changed her life left its mark on him as well, and whether he likes it or not, it’s time to put his House in order.

  Sunny and 75 – Scarlett Metal

  Julia had the perfect life...or so she thought. On the eve of her wedding, her world came crashing down on her. She escaped it all, heading out on the trip that was planned as a celebration.

  Aiden was living the dream, working as the head bartender at a resort on Punta Cana. Every day, he fights the demons of his past as a Marine, even in the midst of paradise.

  He comes to Julia’s rescue one night and after numerous run in, start spending time together. Things get physical quickly, but is there more to their relationship? What happens when Julia has to head back to reality? Will Aiden join her or is he unable to get past the memories back home?