Last in Line

by Sydney Addae

  His brow rose in consternation as Simone walked in, carrying what appeared to be a heavy bowl. “Are you sure you don’t need my help?”

  “No, I got this. I’ll be, I’ll be right back,” she said, speaking fast as she went back into the kitchen. Baron’s gaze caught hers before she turned away and instantly became hard. Fidgeting in the chair, he corrected himself. Closing his eyes, he thought back on the last two days. His linesmen had gladly explained and explored more than he thought he’d ever want to know regarding recreational sex. Some of their experiences had been dark and shocking. Baron had no idea the wide variety involved in intimate encounters. Each lesson had been fascinating.

  Leaning against the kitchen counter, Simone shook her head to clear it. Damn, he was just a man, yet he called to her in a way she couldn’t explain. She must be starved for affection. That had to explain the heat, the desire to want him as bad as she did. She tried to remember the last time she’d had sex, and couldn’t.

  “Damn, that’s not good,” she whispered.

  She’d thought since he’d barely kissed her after the club, he wasn’t interested. He’d asked to see her again, and she said okay.

  He’d been tenacious in his pursuit, sending flowers to her office, calling in the mornings to wish her a good day, and then later, good night. He’d sent a basket of fruit one day when she told him she worked through lunch. The women in the office were smitten. She appreciated he never crossed the line, never showed up at her office or home. He respected her space, and that coupled with his genuine interest in her, shattered her defenses.

  When she’d seen him at the door, his eyes had blazed sky blue. She was surprised she didn’t have scorch marks on her face. There was no doubting he wanted her for more than a friend. If she had any sense, she’d leave him alone. He was out of her league, too intense. The way he watched and listened to her, examining everything before he spoke, was rare. The only people that had ever paid her that kind of attention were Sharita and Camilla. Another thing drew her in deeper. Baron was not a man easily dismissed. He could hurt her. This attraction passed the physical, although that was there in spades. It was more visceral, her feelings for him went deep. She couldn’t explain it, but long after they’d hung up, she still felt vibrations from his voice. It was as if it burrowed into places she had no idea existed. Wrapping her arms tight around her waist, she pinched herself. Was this surreal moment of awe and joy how Cinderella or romance heroines felt when they met their princes or Alpha men? She wanted him, but feared the strong feelings he evoked. Her heart and body rebelled against her mind, demanding she give him a chance.

  Determined to have some semblance of control, she took the remaining food into the dining room and placed it on the table. She made the mistake of looking at him. His eyes flashed again, the colors went bright, then brighter like a starburst. She blinked, unsure what she saw as they returned to normal. Before she registered his movements, he took her arm and tugged her into him. Her front slapped his. Hot, scorching, were the words flashing across her mind as his lips licked the seam of hers until she granted him entry.

  She moaned at his taste, peppermint and him. He pulled her tighter against his hardness. Her breath hitched at the proof that he wanted her as bad as she needed him.

  Her arms lifted around his neck and pulled him closer. Drawn deeper into his embrace, she feasted on his firm lips, his tongue, and his mouth. He caught her breath and returned it to her. She shivered. His hands made their way to her ass, squeezing the tight globes. Pulling her closer, Simone moaned and ground her mound into him, feeling his groan, and then sighs as he released her mouth and placed his forehead against hers.

  “Please,” he begged. His breathing ragged.

  Holding him tight, she felt the dampness of her arousal. It impacted him, he rose harder and higher in salute. She wasn’t sure when she’d made the decision to bed him. But, before the sun rose, she hoped to know him in the way a woman knew a man.

  His plea sent of jolt of pleasure through her. She rolled against him. He trembled, but held her steady. Empowered and sexy, Simone met his gaze and was amazed at how dark his eyes were. She kissed his lips softly and took his hand. Without a glance at the untouched meal, they headed for her bedroom to feed a different hunger. After a few steps, he bent and scooped her into his arms, walking into the direction she pointed as he continued placing kisses on her.

  “Hey!” she squealed in delight.

  She could hardly believe it was finally happening. She’d dreamed of this since the night they met. He made her hotter than anyone else ever had. This may not be forever, but it was for now, and she wanted it.

  Inside her room, he moved to the bed and sat. Her eyes roamed over his body and stopped at the mound in his pants.

  “Come here, Simone,” he said in a soft tone. She felt more than heard him. Moving closer to his fire, she watched the heat leap within his eyes as she answered his call. He palmed his erection. Her heart raced as it grew larger, she remembered their dance a few nights ago and worried he’d be too big. He pressed her hand against his zipper, retaking her attention. Dragging her eyes to his face, she read his need for her.

  “Take off your clothes. Slowly.” He watched every move she made as she pulled the straps over her shoulders and allowed the dress to hit the floor. His eyes darkened as they looked upon her bare breasts and thong. She stood there, amazed to be taking instructions, yet turned on more than ever before. The awe in his eyes as he looked her over warmed her. She felt light, carefree, sexy and desirable. Most of all, free. She’d always been somewhat self-conscious of her size, knowing there was more to her than a lot of other girls her age. But right now, in this room, with this man, she knew he liked her just the way she was and that turned her on like nothing else.

  “Release me,” he demanded as he moved his hands to the side. His eyes challenged her to take this to the next level. She sauntered over and dropped to her knees, leaning forward, she cupped his hardness, taking control.

  He hissed, throwing his head back.

  Sneaking a peek up at him, Simone smiled. Moving one hand to the waistband of his pants, she was surprised to discover he was commando. Her hands rubbed his soft hairs and touched the tip of his cock. She had an insane urge to rub her face there instead of her hands.

  “Shit,” he breathed, watching her through slit-eyes.

  Feeling more confident, she began the slow journey of pulling his zipper down, being careful not to hurt him. His palm cupped her face, and she glanced at the need etched there. Turning slightly, she kissed his palm as she released his rod. For a second, she gawked. Not that she considered herself an expert, but this couldn’t be normal, he was thick and long.

  She leaned in, licking the tip, tasting his juices. “Ummmm, you taste good,” she murmured. She licked his cock up and down, while gently cupping his sac. He opened his legs wider, giving her access.

  Simone smiled.

  “I love the way you smell, Baron. Like the woods, spicy, sweet,” she moaned right before taking his head in her mouth.

  He groaned loudly. His legs shook. His hand slapped the bed repeatedly as his toes curled.

  “Ssssimone, that feels incredible. I had no idea,” he babbled as she continued to take more of him in her mouth. He hit the back of her throat, she breathed and relaxed it. As a general rule, she didn’t bother deep throating. But she wanted Baron to remember her, to remember what she intended to give him. Oh hell yeah, she thought as his legs spasmed and he gushed down her throat. Give it to Mama, let me take you there, she preened as he collapsed against the covers.

  Gently, she released him, adoring his body with her mouth, hands, and breast. Scooting up, she lay on her side, watching him breathe heavily. He gazed at her heavy breasts and smacked his lips. She lifted one breast and fed it to him. He took it between his lips and squeezed the other. Bombarded with tingles and heat, she moved and sat on his chest.

  Breaking apart for a millisecond, she inhaled as h
e latched onto the other pointed pebble, laving and sucking until she thought she’d lost her mind. Simone trembled and held him closer as he took her to the brink. His hand reached between her legs. Feeling her wet heat, he moaned as he suckled.

  She moved with slight thrusts on his hand. Tension mounted, her breath hitched as she rolled her hips against his fingers. Her pussy grazed against his hard cock. Rolling over it, causing friction as he fingered her and sucked her breast, she exploded. Shaking through the tremors, she barely noticed when he’d captured her mouth, taking away her breath. She pushed against his chest, breaking the connection on a gasp. Inhaling deeply, she stared at his mouth and trembled in his arms. She needed more. Leaning against his forehead, she rolled her dripping core against his hardened length.

  He groaned and stopped her movements. Taking a breath, he laid her down while kissing her neck, throat, breasts, and stomach. He took her hand, placed it on his cock, encouraging her to palm him while he slid a finger into her heat. Trembling as he inserted an additional finger, her head lolled backward against the bed. Rotating her hips against his fingers, she screamed when he added a third finger, stroking her spot. Her head whipped side to side as she babbled her pleasure. He lifted her, and impaled her on his cock. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she moaned as he filled her. Initially, he moved slow, allowing her time to adjust.

  “You okay, Simone?”

  “Yeah, move Baron, move,” she moaned as she moved her hips up, trying to get closer.

  “Stop that! I don’t want to hurt you,” he cautioned, barely hanging on. She was so tight and hot. He had no idea. No one had warned him. He tried to go slow.

  “Move Baron, give me more now, damn it,” Simone yelled, lifting her ass off the bed to take more of him. He slammed into her. Control shattered as he hammered into her mercilessly, grunting his pleasure and heightening hers.

  She tightened, she couldn’t breathe. She felt it building and needed to release it. “Baron please, please...ohmigod!” Sliding up and down, she lost herself as she exploded in ecstasy.

  Nothing his linesmen or Rauff said had prepared him for this powerful feeling. He continued to piston within her tight sheath and shook with the force of his orgasm. His fangs dropped as he hid his face against her chest while shouting his completion. Drained and amazed, he clutched her to his chest. Hearing her thoughts, he hardened again as she praised him in her mind, this was her first orgasm with a man instead of her vibrator. Looking into her drowsy eyes, he smiled. Proud at the satisfaction he saw there. But he knew his job was far from complete. Pulling her legs to the edge of the bed, he dropped to his knees and began the pleasant task of licking her clean. Simone screamed her pleasure.

  Chapter 10

  The weekend had been great. Simone and Baron literally had sex the entire time. Exhausted, they slept a few hours, woke up in the late afternoon and went at it again. She smiled at the memories. He had definitely tamed her cat, and she’d laid it on him as well. They were a good match.

  “It seems like someone had a good weekend,” Anna teased.

  “It was alright,” Simone hedged. “How was yours?”

  “Obviously not as good as yours,” Anna threw back as she walked into the lobby.

  Simone read the recent orders. When her cell beeped, she answered absently.

  “Simone Locklear, how can I help you?”

  “Hello, Simone... this is Raul.” Simone looked blankly at the phone and spoke softly.

  “Raul, Raul who?”

  “Raul, Javier’s cousin in Asheville."

  “Speak up Raul, I can barely hear you.”

  She heard a throat clearing and sat heavily in her chair. “I said this is Raul, Javier’s cousin in Asheville. There’s been an accident. Javier is, his body... he’s dead. They found his body last night,” he said in a halting low voice.

  It took Simone a moment for the implications to sink in. Gripping the phone tight, she pressed the phone closer to her ear. “Okay Raul, Javier is with you. Where...where is Marissa?” She squeezed her eyes shut. Her heart raced as she prayed everything was okay with her baby.

  “Marissa? Why are you asking about Marissa?” he questioned.

  “Because she and Javier left Friday night to go camping in the mountains. She was with him, asshole!” she screamed. “Now where the fuck is my baby?!”

  “Dios mio, no, no, not Marissa,” he cried, dropping the phone.

  “Wait, wait...Raul,” Simone yelled into the phone. Dropping her head on the desk, she closed her eyes and sobbed. “Where did they go to, Raul? I’ve got to find my baby.” Simone drew in a breath and screamed. Anna and Carrie ran into her office. She’d fallen to the floor and was in a fetal position, clinging to her cell.

  “Simone, Simone what’s wrong?” Anna asked, kneeling next to her side.

  Carrie pulled the cell from out her hand. “There’s someone on the phone, I hear sounds. She was talking to someone,” she said, handing the phone to Anna. Carrie placed a calming hand on Simone as Anna began speaking rapidly into the phone.

  “Shit, when did this happen?” Anna paused. “And you are just contacting her?” she snapped into the phone. Anna looked at Simone hyperventilating and shaking on the floor.

  “Breathe Simone, breathe. Please breathe. Oh my God! We will work this out.” Anna spoke in soothing tones to get Simone to calm down.

  Simone’s mind blanked. She heard no sounds. Gradually she saw Sharita. Simone’s breathing slowed. Through a misty corridor, she saw her sister walking towards her smiling.

  “She’s passing out, call 911!”

  Simone heard sounds vaguely in the background as a foggy mist enveloped her. She recognized this place. “Sharita,” she called as her gaze searched the mist. Seconds later she was rewarded.

  “Sharita, Sharita, I miss you so much,” Simone told her sister, reaching for her hands. Sharita smiled as Simone’s hand went through her.

  “I know Simone. I miss you too.” Sharita smiled brightly at her sister. “But you are making yourself sick and I can’t have that.”

  “I messed up Sharita. I lost Marissa. I know I promised, but Javier won father’s rights, and now she’s, she’s missing.” Simone threw her hands up and began crying in earnest. “The one thing we promised each other to do, and I fucked up. I’m so sorry, Sharita.”

  “She’s not dead Simone, stop being so dramatic.” Sharita chuckled and smiled. Simone glared at her.

  “I am not the dramatic twin, you are,” Simone snapped, earning another smile from her sister. She stopped and stared, amazed at how easily they'd slipped into their previous fights.

  “Good, now that you are behaving more like yourself, I need you to hear me. Rissa is not dead.” Sharita stood there as Simone watched in awe. “She’s lost somewhere in the mountains. Find her, Simone. She’s scared.” Walking closer, she sent Simone a sad smile. “I love you, and if I’ve never told you before, thanks for loving us both. I am the dramatic one, but you are the smart one. I know you will figure this one out.” Sharita faded on those words. Simone’s heart was so heavy with renewed grief. She kept losing her family.

  Marissa was gone.

  Chapter 11

  Baron walked into Simone’s office and looked around. This morning he’d taken the time to dress in a pair of dark brown slacks and a short-sleeved rust silk button-down shirt that hugged his chest and biceps. He wore a pair of designer shades and dress shoes.

  He’d been trying to contact Simone since Monday morning. She hadn’t answered her phone, nor had she been home later that night for their dinner date. Concerned, he arrived at her office first thing Tuesday morning. They’d spent a great weekend together and he didn’t want to lose any ground. He hoped she didn’t mind his checking up on her and had a pair of Speedway tickets as a bribe if she did.

  “Hello, hello?” He looked around the sitting area. There were pictures of houses and buildings on the walls. The office had the same earth tones that she had at home. It was wa
rm and inviting, instantly reminding him of Simone. His cloaking device tingled against his skin, alerting him of a Hunter’s close proximity.

  “Hi, I’m Carrie. Can I help you?” The petite, blond Hunter asked, coming from the rear of the building.

  Surprise stole his immediate response. What was a Hunter doing in Simone’s office? Did Simone have something to do with his enemies? The idea that she’d betrayed him infuriated and saddened him at the same time.

  Carrie’s gaze licked him up and down slowly as she walked closer. The scent from her arousal and appreciative gaze clearly said she didn’t recognize the vampire standing in front of her.

  “Yes, I’m looking for Simone. Is she available?” Baron responded to her perusal by crossing his arms. Rather than listen to this Hunter’s fantasies regarding what she’d like to do with him sexually, she wished she’d block him from her thoughts as Hunters did to his kind all the time. He longed for the days when no one noticed him. These aspects of human behavior he would never understand. When she didn’t respond, he raised his brow and coughed.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. Simone isn’t here. She had an emergency and left town. Can anyone else help you?” She straightened with a smile.

  Anna chose that moment to come in from outside. “I swear the train line is getting more and more crowded. They need to go ahead and build another line to help with the congestion,” she complained.

  Baron turned and they both smiled at each other. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes and Baron could tell something was wrong.

  “Hello,” Anna spoke, holding out her hand.

  Baron took it and gently squeezed it. “How are you?” he questioned, detecting a lingering sadness. She was dressed in a beige sweater dress, with sensible shoes. Outwardly, she looked fine, but the way she dragged and dropped her bag on the desk alerted Baron all was not well.

  “Not the best. I guess you heard?” Anna asked as she placed her umbrella on the desk. He looked at Carrie, who watched Anna.

  “What have I heard?” He glanced at the nameplate on the desk. “Tell me Anna, where is Simone?” he asked in a clipped voice. Carrie looked surprised and left the room, peeking backward.