The Predator [1]

by Brooke May

  He’s so sweet.

  “You could have called or texted.” I jab him in the side and then move to get my bags and coat.

  “True, but you were driving, and with the roads being shit, I don’t want anything to happen to you.” He helps me into my coat before grabbing his own stuff. Then he takes my hand, pulls me to him, and kisses me sweetly. I try to push to be a little spicier, but he pulls back and looks down at me with a twinkle in his eyes. “Hi.”

  “Hi,” I squeak and go to kiss him again …

  “Come on, you two lovebirds, they are shutting down for the night, and I would like some sleep tonight. You two can fuck around another time.” Scott sure knows how to ruin a moment.

  Chamberlain shakes his head and leads me out after Scott. “What had you so … frazzled?”

  I sigh in defeat of this night. “For one, my teacher made me late, which you should know I hate. I enjoy being on time or early. Even if it is a few minutes late, the rest of my day is messed up.”

  “And the next thing?”

  “I ran into that Amber girl. Well, she was waiting at my car.” Chamberlain stiffens and then relaxes quickly.

  Huh?

  “Don’t let her get to you, K.C. She always wanted in C’s pants and never got the chance, even when they were dating eons ago,” Scott chirps while still leading the way.

  Chamberlain remains quiet as we reach my car. “Lil’ bit, come over tomorrow afternoon so we can figure out the syllabus for our class and then get a schedule worked out for the papers and all that shit.” Scott pats me on the head and continues to Chamberlain’s rust bucket that I hadn’t noticed was parked back here as well.

  “Umm … okay?” I turn my attention back to Chamberlain, who stole my keys and started my car. “Is that fine with you?” He climbs out of the driver’s seat and pulls me against him again. His hugs are the perfect pressure and warmth. I hate us parting every time. Chamberlain doesn’t speak, keeping quiet like something is wrong. I’m about to ask …

  “Come here!” Scott steals me from Chamberlain and wraps me in a big bear hug. I can’t stop the laugh that erupts from me as Scott spins me around only to be yanked back into my warm spot.

  “Mine,” he growls, and I melt. The desire his voice stirs in me comes to life, making me wish we were alone instead of being stuck with his crazy, silly friend. “Go away, you pest,” he bites off at Scott, causing him to laugh. Chamberlain spins me back to face him when Scott is back to the tetanus shot of a car waiting to happen. “I wish we were alone.”

  He bends down and kisses at the juncture of my neck and shoulder. I gasp as I feel him trail open-mouth kisses up the side of my neck to behind my ear. He takes a deep breath and then pulls back to look at me. Doe eyes meet predator ones.

  “Me too …” I manage to breathe out. Hormones are overriding my brain. I stretch up on my toes while sliding my fingers into his short hair, pulling his mouth down to me. I catch him by surprise. His mouth drops open this time, and my tongue slides in. I feel empowered when his hands slide down to the curve of my butt, and he pulls me against him. I feel what I do to him, and I don’t want to stop.

  His hardened member presses right against where I want it most as I continue to attack him. Scott is forgotten and so is the rest of the world. When I start to rotate my hips, he thrusts me to an arm’s length distance, breathing just as heavily as I am. “Not yet, panda.” He pulls me back to him but not as close as we just were or I would like. “Maybe soon.” He kisses my forehead and then deposits me in the car. “Let me know when you get home.” His lips brush against mine before closing the door.

  I bite my lip and nod. I adjust myself into my seat, wave to Scott, and wait until Chamberlain is in his car before I drive off. I never thought in my life I would feel this way about a man, but I’m glad I have these feelings. Even though I’ve only known him for a short time, I have a feeling Chamberlain could quite possibly be the one. And the thought is crazy and scary. Part of me wonders if I should be concerned about how crazy this all is.

  Chapter Thirteen

  THE GENTLE CLICK of my bedroom door rouses me from my slumber. It is still dark out; the moon outside my balcony window is that only light that illuminates my room, casting a neutral glow through my room.

  I blink several times to rid the sleep from my eyes. I’m startled because I always lock my door. I never know what Zoey will try or when these days. I also enjoy my privacy. I stay out of their way, so I expect them to do the same for me.

  It takes me a moment to focus on the tall, muscular figure standing by my now closed door. I’m alarmed and a little confused when I see who it is.

  “Chamberlain?” My sleepy haze must be playing tricks on me. I sit up and squint to find that I’m not seeing things. “W what are you doing here? How did you get in?” I clutch his hoodie in my hand as I straighten my spine. Since the night I came home with it, I’ve been wearing it to bed.

  “Does it matter?”

  It certainly does!

  I want to yell at him. We have security, gates, and many locked doors. How could he get through all of that? I guess Fiona would let him in, but they haven’t met yet.

  He starts toward me in a steady, sexy gait while lifting his shirt over his head.

  All thoughts leave my head. My teeth find their way to my bottom lip as Chamberlain prowls closer to me.

  “Come here, Katie.” His deep voice fires desire through my body. No objection makes it known in my mind as I lift myself from under my covers and crawl to the end of my bed. I want this more than I want anything.

  Right here.

  Right now.

  We meet at the foot of my bed; his calloused hands reach down and cup my face. His thumb rubs my bottom lip until my teeth relinquish its hold.

  “Beautiful,” he murmurs as he brings his full, pouty lips down to mine, kissing me oh-so-sweetly.

  His hand abandons my cheek to join its match in its journey down my sides to the bottom hem of his hoodie.

  “Hmmm …” Vibrations pass from him through me. My nipples bud and a slow ache courses through me as my desire grows. I feel it pool in my panties. He pulls the hoodie off me, leaving me almost completely bare to him.

  “I love knowing that the only thing touching you when you sleep is something of mine … gets me hard as fuck.” I gasp at his crude but alluring confession.

  I want so badly to speak, to tell him I wear panties too, but the ability has completely left me.

  “Come here, baby.” His hands grip mine, pulling me until I’m standing on my bed, looking down at him. “Beautiful,” he repeats as he steps back to look at me.

  I want so badly to cover up. I’ve never been this bare in front of anyone, not since I was a baby. Crossing my arms, I look away from the dark, meaningful eyes of Chamberlain. My body is begging for the attention that he is giving me. My nipples are sharp peaks as if they are reaching out to him. My inner thighs tremble, wanting to open for him, to allow him into the one place that has never been touched.

  “Stop that now.” He gives a soft shout, making me jump, and my arms to fall to my sides. My eyes lock back with his. “Lie down,” he commands. I hesitate for a moment, earning a growl from him. My breathing escalates as my chest tightens considerably. I feel a thin layer of sweat coat my skin as I lower myself back down on my bed and stretch out on my back.

  What is he going to do?

  Chamberlain climbs on, making the bed dip considerably under his heavier weight. His hands wrap firmly around my ankles, and he jerks my legs apart before moving up my body. A blast of cold air hits my center, and shivers spread up my body, coating me in goose bumps.

  “You’re all mine, panda.” His face lines up with mine. He gently presses his body down on me, pinning me between the mattress and his hard frame. Skin-to-skin feels amazing. My eyes roll into the back of my head as I release a slow groan from just the feel of his fire-hot skin on mine.

  He kisses the corner of my mouth while grindin
g his erection into me, my panties being the only barrier between us. I chase after his mouth, but it moves away.

  “I knew we would be a perfect fit.” He runs his nose up and down mine. “It’s going to be incredible, Katie.” Hot kisses trail past my left ear, where he bites down on my lobe and pulls it before releasing it and continuing his feast down my neck.

  I tilt my head into my mattress, giving him better access. My hands curl into the blankets around us as he kisses my collarbone and drags his lips down to the valley between my breasts.

  “Chamberlain.” His name is a plea and a cry as he swirls his tongue around one of my nipples and then sucks it into his mouth. “Oh.” A delightful mixture of pain and pleasure grips me when he gently bites down. I clench tightly, feeling like I’m about to explode between my legs.

  He releases my nipple, licks and kisses his way over to the other, and repeats his actions, getting the same reaction. I groan again, feeling my heart in my throat. “Oh … God.” I roll my lips into my mouth, mimicking his motions with my nipple, but I’m trying to be quiet. No one’s room is at this end of the house, but I don’t want to chance it.

  He kisses my naval and then looks up at me as he hooks one thumb into my panties and the other reaches up to release my lips. “Let me hear you. I need to hear you, Katie.”

  I give a tiny nod, the only encouragement he needs to continue his slow torture. He kisses my pelvic bone before sitting up on his knees. I can’t make out his features very well. His body is blocking the moonlight. His thumb hooked in my panties runs from one hipbone to the other. “Your skin is so soft, especially right here.” His voice is soft, filled with wonderment, yet deep.

  He runs his thumb back and forth several times over my super-sensitive skin, leaving me reeling and wanting him to do more.

  “Chamberlain.” I plead once more, this time arching up to him, silently begging for what I only ever want him to give me.

  I can barely make out the crooked grin that graces his handsome, stubble-covered face, and his eyes flash a magnetic blue with his predatory gaze. I’ve dubbed it his predator eyes, and I love them.

  “You have no idea how badly I want you, baby.” He adds his other thumb to the band of my panties and ever so slowly lowers them down my legs. The cool breeze hits me again.

  “Please …” I wriggle, trying to ease the pressure, but not knowing how.

  “Show me how you do it.” He waits for a beat.

  I slowly shake my head. “I don’t,” I answer with a staggered breath.

  “Why not?”

  “B-” I stop when I watch him lower himself again, his face and stubble rubbing against my bare thigh. “Because I’ve never met anyone to … you know … fantasize about …” I breathe out as he climbs higher. He’s so close. My breathing picks up again. I feel his hot breath right where I want him. “Like I do with you.”

  BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

  I shoot straight up in bed and wince at how fast I sat up. My lower muscles contract quickly, and I’m found tangled in my sheets.

  It was a dream!

  I fall back on my bed after hitting my alarm. Sweat covers my body like I was lying in a hot bath rather than on my bed. It was all a dream. But it felt so real. I start laughing hysterically. I had my first erotic dream.

  Wow.

  With a stupid ear-to-ear grin, I get up and get ready to leave for my morning workout and my class. I breeze in and out of the kitchen; Fiona is flustered, so it isn’t the time to talk to her. She will calm down once she gets a break and can indulge in her daytime TV. I only stop to kiss her on the cheek and inform her I’m not sure when I will get home, but I will call.

  I get out to my car and am relieved that it isn’t that cold out. My phone buzzes while I wait for the light layer of frost to vanish from my windows.

  Unknown: Coming to work out? I need a ride to C.

  Me: Who is this?

  Unknown: Lil’ bit, it’s your bestest friend in the whole wide world, the amazing Scott.

  I giggle at him. Chamberlain must have given him my number.

  Me: Yes, be there soon. I have my class, so you’ll have to wait.

  Unknown: Nothing but time.

  I add him to my small list of contacts and take off to the center to start my day.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “WHAT DO YOU do for a living?” I ask Scott as he directs me through the streets of Boston to the garage where Chamberlain works. Chamberlain told me Scott works, just not where.

  “I work at a bar downtown most nights.”

  “Most?” I raise a brow at him.

  “I make sure I’m off on the weekends to be by C’s side. It hurts the wallet, but it’s worth it. When he makes it big someday, I know he won’t forget about little ole me.”

  “Must be nice to have a close friend like that.”

  “You don’t have anyone?” he asks in surprise. “I find that hard to believe. Who wouldn’t adore you?” He reaches over and pinches my cheek. “You’re just so cute.”

  “Will you stop?” I bat his hand away with a laugh. “I don’t have friends my age. Being around snobs your whole life, it can happen to anyone if you aren’t like the rest.”

  “Thank God, you’re not.”

  I nod in agreement. “My only friend is our family cook, Fiona. She’s wonderful, actually …” I focus on him for a moment before looking back at the road. “I could see you two getting along very well.”

  “Really?” He claps his hands together and then rubs them. “She hot?”

  “If sixty-year-old women are your thing …”

  “Hey, the older ones need lovin’ too.” I shake my head at him. Scott is hilarious. “Here we are. Just pull in behind his car.”

  I park behind Chamberlain’s car in the tiny parking lot next to an equally tiny garage. “Come on.” Scott grabs his bag from the backseat. I climb out and follow him, passing Chamberlain’s car. I notice the clean backseat and see at least four air fresheners hanging from the mirror.

  “How long has Chamberlain worked here?” I look up at the building. It’s aged with peeling paint on the brick walls.

  “Since we were fifteen, I think. He wanted to be able to help his mom out …” Scott trails off as we get closer. Loud music blares through an old stereo system mounted somewhere in the garage. I can barely make out the words to Aerosmith’s “Walk this Way.” “There’s our big boy!” Scott coos and points at a fine backside and sculpted back in a tight, white cutoff shirt leaning over the hood of a car. “Hey, C!” Scott calls before disappearing into the office to talk to an older gentleman who is in there with a stressed look on his face.

  Chamberlain straightens up and turns around to face me while wiping the grease off his hands. “Hey, Katie.”

  His smile is full, genuine, and dimpled, causing my own to come out. “Hey yourself.” He prowls over to me and pulls me to him by my belt loop. His hands stay close to my sides but don’t touch me. “You can put your hands on me, you know.” I reach up to put mine around his neck.

  “I know, I just don’t want to get you dirty.”

  “So?” I pull his head down to me. My bravado catches him by surprise. He was about to speak, leaving his mouth open to my attack. My tongue slides into his mouth, and instantly, he emits a deep groan from his chest. His hands cup my bottom, lifting and pulling me to him. I have no choice but to wrap my legs around his waist, locking them once I’m settled.

  The carnal need to have him has taken hold of my body and mind. My desire for him must be out of control because of the dream. Or maybe it’s the way he looks with his work covers tied around his waist and a tight shirt hugging his muscles in just the right way.

  Or both.

  Definitely both.

  The tension builds between us as Chamberlain walks us backward, slamming us into a workbench. My body hits his in just the right way.

  “Will you two stop fornicating in public? It’s getting old.” Scott’s annoying voice is like a bucket
of ice dumped on me. I quickly jump out of Chamberlain’s arms while and bury my red face into his chest. The smell of his cologne, sweat, and the smell of the car and garage relaxes me. But it doesn’t banish he blush. “Seriously, man! The poor girl has grease handprints on her ass now.” I start to giggle against Chamberlain, and soon, he starts laughing as well.

  I feel embarrassed for being caught in the act I initiated. Where is this person I’m turning into coming from? “Give us a minute, man,” Chamberlain warns Scott away. I hear his laugh at Chamberlain’s tone, and then a door shuts. He pushes me back and remains leaning against the workbench. “Where did that come from?” He’s excited and filled with joy.

  I shrug. “I don’t know.”

  Lie. Lie. LIE!

  “Tell me the truth, Katie.” His demanding tone draws my attention. “Please?”

  “I …” How do I say ‘I’m getting really turned on just by being around you’ without embarrassing myself? “Had a dream.”

  Great, that’s not any better.

  “Really? What was this dream about?”

  “You … and … me.”

  “Hey, eyes up here.” He pulls me to him again. “Don’t ever be embarrassed around me. Never.” He kisses my head. “You don’t have to tell me. I think I know what this dream was about.” I hear the amusement in his voice.

  I step out of his arms, instantly becoming cold. “I’d better get going. I have some homework to get done before I come over later.” I stand on my tiptoes to kiss him. “I’ll see you later, Chamberlain,” I purr and walk away from my man.

  XOXO

  “HI, FIONA.” I enter the kitchen on a mission to get to my room.

  “Wait a minute, baby doll.” I turn to face her and her assessing eyes. She indicates for me to come back to her and stand there while she figures something out. I wriggle back and forth on my feet with my hands behind my back. When she walks around behind me, she stops, and I know she has seen something that wouldn’t normally be there.