Sara's Unyielding Lover (The Lovers Series)

by Black, Joslyn

  Chapter 17

  “Baby” His voice muffled, because his face was buried in her hair. “After the deliveries we need to swing by my place so I can get clean clothes.”

  Sara barely paying attention to what he was saying, she was in her own world snuggled in Eric’s arms. It was the word deliveries that caught her attention. She pulled back enough to look at him. Her eye brows scrunched and she had a look of sheer confusion on her face.

  “Deliveries? What do mean deliveries only my dinette set is coming? So why’d you say deliveries?”

  Eric was opening his mouth to try and answer her without giving away his surprise when he was literally saved by the bell; well knock but it was close enough.

  Sara looked over her shoulder toward the direction of her front door then back at Eric, her eyes squinting and giving him a suspicious look. Eric released her from his hold so they could answer the door. He didn’t know if it was the auction delivery or his surprise delivery; so he wanted to be there when she opened the door.

  Knock knock knock knock

  Reaching her front door she looked through the peep hole with Eric standing a couple feet behind her. It was the delivery she assumed but he wasn’t wearing the auction house’s logoed shirt; he was in plain clothes. Twisting the bolt she unlocked and opened the door.

  Facing the man in front of her with hand still holding the nob and door partially closed; Sara curiously asked.

  “Hi can I help you?”

  The man standing at her door was good looking, he was tall 6’, 6’1” maybe, he had honey brown eyes, nicely tanned skin, casually dressed in cargo shorts and a plain colored T-shirt.

  “Yeah, ah I’m Gio, I’m looking for Eric.”

  “Eric?” she was really confused now why would someone be coming to her apartment asking for Eric.

  “Yeah I’m his cousin is he...”

  Gio didn’t get to finish his question. Eric had heard his cousin’s voice and walked up behind Sara placing his hand on her shoulder and opened the door fully.

  “Hey, Gio great timing; Juan in the truck?”

  “Yeah, he is kinda double parked but we wanted to get as close as we could to unload. That fuckin’ set is heavy almost broke my back loading it at the auction house.” Gio informed derisively thumbing over his shoulder toward the parking lot.

  Nodding in agreement Eric pointed out. “Solid cherry of course it’s heavy. You took a bit longer than you said, you trying to milk all time you can to put off going to Tia’s?” Eric finished his question with a big mocking smile.

  With the timber of his voice a little irritated Gio came back with. “It took me longer ‘cause I wasn’t expecting it to weigh as much as it did. It took Juan and I almost twice as long as I thought to load the bitch.”

  Sara was started to get pissed, here they were at her apartment talking over her like she wasn’t even there and to top it all off she had no freaking idea what they were talking about. She cut into their conversation by clearing her throat loudly. “Ahem” Both men stopped talking and looked at Sara, but she was focused on only one man, Eric. She hated being so cliché’ but there she was with her arms crossed in front of her chest, eye brows raised so far up they almost touched her hair, lips tight with an exaggerated what the fuck look on her face.

  Eric clasped his hand around her hip and pulled her into him, he pecked her lips then in an appealing voice and his face as contrite as he could make it he introduced her to his cousin, which is something he knew by looking at Sara that he should have done first.

  “Baby this my cousin Gio, Gio this is Sara.”

  “hi” She lifted her hand in a nonmoving wave.

  “hi” He did the same.

  Eric went onto explain. “Gio is here to bring the present I have for you.”

  She looked back and forth between the two men and curiously asked. “Present, what present? You’ve been with me all day how’d you get me a present?”

  Eric’s smile was wide and bright showing his pearly whites and his beautiful dimples. Teasingly he asked.

  “Do you remember the bedroom set from the auction yesterday?”

  “Of course I do you cheated me out of it.”

  Gio laughed at her accusation but when they both looked over to him he tried to cover his laugh with a cough.

  Eric continued as if Gio hadn’t laughed at him. “Well while we were in bed I decided that the set would look great in your room and I knew you wanted it badly” He then lowered his head and whispered in her ear. “And I had the thought of you bent over holding on to the headboard while I took you from behind.”

  At hearing Eric’s scandalous words Sara inhaled and her face flushed a delightful shade of red. She quickly glanced at Gio to see if he had heard what Eric had said. But he effectively avoided eye contact looking at everything but her. Not caring that Gio was in front of them, when Eric was done whispering to her he finished with a playful bite on her neck.

  Gio didn’t miss a thing that was happening, Eric’s constant possessive hand on her hip or shoulder, the whispering in her ear, biting her. Eric was never one for public displays of affection, Gio couldn’t even think of a time he had ever seen him even holding a girls hand. And he marked her! Even with her braid resting against her neck hanging over her front shoulder she couldn’t hide a love bite that big or purple. Gio figured he would have had to really lose control to mark her so badly, which was not Eric’s norm.

  Gio clapped his hands together and piped up. “So, we ready to unload? ‘Cause I don’t want Juan pissing anybody off being double parked or getting a ticket.”

  “Yeah yeah yeah” Eric replied quickly looking to Sara he instructed her. “Baby go and pull all your sheets, blankets and pillows to the side so we have room to unload the furniture and assemble the bed.”

  “Oh ok.” She was speechless she didn’t know what else to say, she was dumbfounded by his largess. He had paid over $3,000 for this set and he was giving it to her. Sara left to do as instructed, leaving the men to their task.

  Slapping a hand on Gio’s back Eric in a good mood, happy that he had surprised Sara so, he addressed Gio. “Ok come on cuz let’s unload this truck. You bring the dolly?”

  Gio walking with his hands in his pockets, shaking his head he chuckled. “You know that’s not gonna cut it? Who is that girl? And why are you giving her a bedroom set that costs over $3,000.”

  They walked side by side to the parking lot; Gio was waiting patiently so Eric could gather his thoughts to answer him. When they got to the truck and Eric still hadn’t answered him his patience ran out.

  “Eric, you need to tell me what’s wrong; ‘cause I know something is. You’re not acting like your normal self, you’ve never stayed at a girl’s house, and even if it was after midnight you would still leave. I can’t even remember a time when you had held a girls hand yet here you are constantly having your hand on her in some way. And you marked her for pity’s sake.”

  Eric walked up to the back of the truck and unhooked the lever lock. As he was rolling up the truck’s cargo door, with a defeated sigh Eric answered Gio’s questions; putting in stipulations first.

  “Ok, fine but I don’t wanna hear any stupid comments.” He paused for a brief moment to make sure Gio agreed and then continued. “I met her at the auction yesterday. When I got out of my truck I felt eyes on me I looked around and saw Sara. The minute my eyes met hers something just clicked. I tried to brush it off thinking I knew her type and that she was like the rest. But in the auction house I overheard her talking. Her speech, voice, attitude was different than what I had assumed...”

  Eric was telling Gio everything that happened at the auction house and at her apartment; leaving out details of their loving making he didn’t want anyone but him to know her passionate side or anyone picturing her doing the things they did. As Eric continued talking Gio crossed his arms in front of his chest while leaning on the side end of the truck taking in all that was being said.

  �
�...so it’s like that man I don’t know how or why but, everything in me: my mind, heart and body just revolve around her. When she was talking about her dick of an ex-husband and how he hurt her, I wanted to fly out there just to kick his ass. She brings out feelings I’ve never had before; protectiveness, possessiveness, the over whelming need to mark her mine, hell as crazy as it sounds I’d slap a ring on her finger if I could. I don’t just want her I have to have her. I know I’m not really explaining it well and sound a bit corny, but I’ve never had so much feeling for one person.”

  Eric finished explaining to Gio with a deep breath and sigh; tapping his hand on the side end of the truck. Gio was contemplating everything Eric had just said, he’d never heard him talk about a girl with such fervor before. Gio relaxed his stance, turned his head to peer at the parking lot looking for nothing just trying to gather the right words for his response. Bringing his view back to Eric Gio admitted tonelessly.

  “I’ve never heard you talk like this about a girl; you’ve only known her 24 hours. You know what kind of girls spread their legs for a guy they just met. I mean you paid over $3000 for this set and you’re just giving it away. I know she must have been a good fuck but you don’t give thousands of dollars away on an easy piece of ass.” Gio had started of tonelessly but by the end of his rant his voice had risen to almost a shout. He was so focused on what he was saying Gio wasn’t prepared when Eric came at him. Eric rushed Gio, grabbing him by his Tee and slamming him into the back end of the truck.

  Eric’s voice was very low and menacing but Gio heard him loud and clear.

  “Don’t you ever fucking say something about her like that again. Family or not I’ll kick your mother fucking ass. You know nothing about her.”

  Gio put his hands up in surrender. “Calmarse Eric ok, sorry I was just telling you how I see it.”

  Eric let go of his grip on Gio’s T and took a step back and in a firm voice he set Gio straight.

  “She didn’t invite me over last night I just showed up. She asked me to leave twice but I talked my way into staying. She had only been with one guy before me, her ex-husband who she had been with since she was 14 a freshman in high school. I told you on the phone not to say any stupid shit ‘cause I knew how’d it look to you.”

  Gio rebuked apologized. “Sorry cuz you know I was just looking out for you right?”

  “Yeah I know you got my back.”

  Lifting up his hand in apology he clasped Eric’s hand and gave him a bro hug.

  “Alright, we’re cool let’s get the shit unloaded, is Juan gonna just sit in the cab or is he gonna help?” Eric gesturing to where Juan sat.

  “After loading it he said it was so heavy we’d have to give him a tip to unload it.” Gio replied laughingly breaking the little bit of tension left between them.

  Chapter 18

  An hour and a half later Sara’s bedroom set had been unloaded and was almost completely set up; now all she needed was a mattress. She could pop into a store really quick today; hopefully get a next day delivery. The auction movers had arrived in the midst of her bedroom set being moved in. For a few minutes she had a parade of furniture and men going in and out of her house. She started worrying about her carpet, Eric was right it’s gonna be a bitch to keep the white carpet clean. Sitting at her new table Sara was enjoying a glass of Jamaica waiting for the guys to finish.

  They came into the dining room side by side laughing at whatever they were saying.

  “Done baby it looks great in your room, the canopy was a bitch but we handled it.” Eric said proudly with a cocky smile.

  Rising up onto her feet Sara went to the kitchen to open the frig and offer them a drink.

  “You guys must be thirsty after all that work, can I get you something to drink? I have juice, Jamaica and mineral water.”

  Gio answered before Eric could “Uh no thanks Sara I still got Juan sitting in the truck; I should go so he can get home. He normally doesn’t work on Sundays either.” As he was talking Gio was slowly making his way toward the living room and front door, gesturing with his thumb as if Juan was standing behind him.

  “Oh” Sara piped out “We also have 4 bottles of Dos XX from yesterday.”

  That got Gio’s attention he stopped in his tracks. “Dos XX huh, well Juan’s probably thirsty from sitting in that hot truck so I’ll text him to come in for a beer.”

  Sara watched Gio pull out his phone to text Juan, smiling to herself at the thought that men always stop for beer. She pulled 3 of the 4 beers from the frig and set them on the counter; grabbing her tigger magnet bottle opener off the frig door to open them. Eric watched Sara open the beers for them and he wondered why she had a tigger magnet bottle opener at her age with no children or nieces or nephews? She didn’t have any other cartoonish stuff or knick-knacks around so he knew it meant something; he would ask her about it later.

  Sara stretch her arm out to hand Eric his beer but when he grabbed the beer he got her hand to and didn’t let go; no he pulled her into his embrace. Snuggling into the crook of her neck placing little kisses he spoke in a hushed tone.

  “Now we just need to get you a mattress so we can break it in.”

  What was he doing, was he purposely trying to embarrass her and make her blush. He relinquished his hold just enough for her to stand next to him with his arm holding her around her waist, allowing him to take a drink from his beer. Three minutes after Gio texted Juan there was a knock on the door.

  “I’ll get it it’s probably Juan.” Gio offered raising his hand like he was back in school volunteering for a project.

  Gio was gone all of two minutes before he was back with an older Mexican man who compared to Gio and Eric was short but he was still taller than her small frame. Gio made introductions; with his hand gesturing from Juan to Sara and from Sara to Juan. “Sara this is one of our junior managers from Poway. Juan this is Sara Eric’s uhmmm his...his friend.” He finally sputtered out. Juan stuck out his hand to shake Sara’s in greeting.

  “Nice to have meeting you.” He spoke with a very heavy Spanish accent.

  Taking Juan’s proffered hand Sara returned his greeting.

  “Very nice meeting you Juan, Gio said you normally have Sundays off; thanks for taking time out of your day off to help. I really appreciate it.”

  Handing out the other two beers, they all stood around the island making benign chit chat. Gio tried to ask as many questions as he could without sounding like he was interrogating her. He asked about where she worked if she liked it, where she was from, her family and when he could he would fit in a question about her marriage and ex-husband. He was trying to get a feel for her, because there had to be something really extraordinary about her for Eric to fall so hard and do a complete 180 on his view of relationships and women. And basically overnight. And whenever he started to push a topic to much Eric would shoot him a back the fuck off look so he’d change the subject and talk about himself or he’d bring Juan into the conversation asking him a question.

  By the time their beers and conversation were done Gio had changed his assumption of her. She was a good person he’d even go as far to say that she was guileless or unspoiled. The way she looked when she talked about her family you could tell she really loves them. When she spoke of her cousin Jen she would laugh or roll her eyes, hearing stories about her craziness made him curious to meet her. When she talked about her mom her eyes sparkled and with her father her eyes would shimmer as thou holding back tears.

  Gio set his empty beer bottle on the counter top, reached into his pocket to pull out his cell to check the time.

  “Well, Sara thanks for the beer but it’s a little past three and my mom is probably having a conniption fit. I told her I’d be a little late, but any longer and I’ll get the wooden spoon.” Gio laughed as he spoke thinking of his mom and her wooden spoon.

  “Oh I’m sorry Gio I didn’t mean to keep you here so long, I’d hate for you to get in trouble over me.” Sara’s eyebrows pinche
d together in concern as she spoke.

  Eric cut in to ease Sara’s concern placing a little kiss on her temple he informed her.

  “Don’t worry about it baby, we’re doing Gio a favor.” Eric saw the confusion on Sara’s face and continued “He always goes to his mom’s on Sundays but this Sunday she sorta tried to play match maker and invited a blind date for him.” Eric started to laugh making it hard to finish what he was saying. “She’s the daughter of a woman from his mom’s new book club; so actually we’re helping him.”

  Sara covered her mouth to try and hide her snickering, but you could tell by the shine in her eyes and the movement in her shoulders she was laughing at him. She cleared her throat and tried to school her face before she faced Gio.

  “I’ve never been on a blind date so I can’t sympathize with you but I’m glad I could help you procrastinate and hide from your mommy.” She could barely finish her little taunt with her laughter burbling out. Eric and Juan both joined in the laughter. Eric was also smiling at the fact that his little purring kitten had claws, he was happy that Sara felt comfortable enough to tease his cousin.

  “Ha Ha Ha.” Gio sarcastically replied, just as he finished his mocking laugh he had a very devious thought.

  “You know Sara you guys could actually help me out some more.” Leaving his bait in the air he waited.

  Sara’s laughter dying down curious and eager to help she asked. “I’d love to help, what can I do?”

  Eric catching on to what his cousin was doing broke into their conversation. “Oh no no no no no no no not happening cuz I have plans for us tonight.”