by Shell, C.
Where the hell is my car?
A million thoughts whirl through my head with the immediate being that I need to call the cops. Why the hell would anyone want my car? The damn thing doesn't even have a working a/c at the moment. As I start searching through my bag for my phone, the older gentleman walks towards me. I step to the side away from the front door assuming he is going to enter the bar.
"Are you Kelly Dawson?" he asks in a perfect British accent.
My neck snaps up and I narrow my eyes on him suspiciously. "Yes. Why?" I ask hesitantly. My fingers keep searching around the inside my bag knowing somewhere in its depths I have a can of pepper spray that I keep for occasions such as these.
The gentleman hands me a single tulip, note and a set of car keys. "These are for you," he says with a wink before walking off and getting into a black limo parked on the side of the building.
With shaky fingers I open and read the note as a small gasp escapes my lips.
My Tulip:
I have had your car towed to a repair shop. My repair man will have it fixed and returned to you as soon as possible. There is no way in hell you are driving around in this heat without proper air conditioning. I have already covered all costs so don't worry about it. Drive the Mercedes around until yours is fixed.
Anonymously Yours
Without thought I grab my phone and dial Daemon's number, ready to go to war, and yet wanting to sing his praises all at once. He answers on the second ring. Hearing his deep sexy voice on the other end of the phone is almost my undoing. Remembering my reason for calling, I push my feelings aside.
"Why?" I ask trying to hide the obvious emotion choking my voice.
"I take care of what is mine and as I have already told you. You. Are. Mine! Now go home and sleep off the drinks you had. I will call you tomorrow, babe."
Before I have a chance to respond the phone goes dead. Fingering the keys in my hand, I sigh in defeat and head towards the Mercedes. This day has been tiring and I want nothing more than to go home and crawl into the warmth and safety of my bed.
Chapter 8
Watching Sasha stroke the buttery leather seats in the Mercedes Daemon has lent me has me laughing out loud. I swear she is treating it more like a lover than a car.
"Would you please just leave everything alone," I sigh swatting her hands away for the umpteenth time. "Driving a car around that is not mine and costs more than I make in an entire year has me on edge," I admit giving her a knowing look.
"I get it, but damn girl, you have got to know I am completely jealous of your ass right now. This thing is a beauty. I swear these seats are making love to my ass right now," she says with a giggle. "This car makes my Lexus look like a pinto."
"As wonderful as it is, I will feel better when I get my little red car back." I huff.
"Are you still mad at Daemon?" she sighs. "I think it was nice of him to step in and take over the repairs of your car and give you something to drive. Whose car is it anyways?" Sasha asks casually.
I let out a harsh breath as I think back to the many arguments we have had the last two days over him acting like Superman and stepping in to help me in my time of need. I actually told him I thought he had a hero complex. He in turn countered and told me I was beginning to have an ungrateful bitch complex. If his words hadn't been so close to the truth I would have been pissed.
"I'm not mad that he wanted to help. In fact, I find it nice for once to have a man step in and want to take care of me. It is a nice change from Gary who would have bitched for days and blamed me for not taking better care of my car in the first place. This car is technically not Daemon's. It belongs to his company and is used as an emergency vehicle when an employee needs it."
"So if you are not mad over the car then why are your panties in a twist?"
"My issue is that he won't tell me how he found out I was even having car problems. How am I to trust him when he is already keeping secrets?"
I wait expecting Sasha to go off on a rant about how men are all scum and back me up about my worries, but instead she is deadly quiet. Pulling off the freeway I turn into my gym parking lot and grab an open spot near the front door. Before she has a chance to run off I lock all the doors. Turning in my seat so she can see my face I glare at her.
"What did you do?" I ask forcefully. I know she is guilty of something and will sit here all night until her lips start spewing answers.
Dropping her head in defeat, she mumbles so low I barely hear her. "I gave him insight on your past with Gary and promised to call him if you ever needed anything or were in trouble."
I swear if she were not my best friend in the whole world I would knock the stuffing out of her right now. Pushing my hurt aside I prod for more answers.
"Why would you do that? You know my being with him could damage my career and yet you try and push us together anyways? Please, make me understand how you could do that to me?" My voice cracks with emotion as my eyes pool with unshed tears.
"Oh honey," she sighs, pulling me into a tight hug. "He came to me asking for help. I wouldn't give him anything until he could convince me that his intentions were real and pure...And I believe they are. He might be bossy and a bit too cocky for his own good, but he really wants a chance to be with you. I would never have given him jack shit if I thought he was playing with you."
Wiping my wet eyes on the back of my shirt and I stare back at her more confused than ever. "So what? You called him from the bar and told him to send me another car? You two are that close of friends now?
Laughing, she shakes her head and gives me a funny look. "I might be good, but you give me too much credit. I sent him a quick text before you arrived asking him to join us for drinks. I thought while you were relaxed he might have a better chance to get you to open up and talk to him. When you arrived looking like a sweaty mess, I snuck sent him another quick text telling him it might not be a good day to see you after all and explained about your car. Daemon did all the rest on his own."
"Wow..." I am surprised. "I forgive you for going behind my back, but please promise me you will stop playing match-maker and just let whatever happens happen. I might end up Daemon or I could find myself with someone else altogether. I want to be the one to make that choice. Not you or Tony or anyone else."
Smiling she sticks her pinky finger out and I follow suit looping my own around hers. Glancing up at each other we both nod and say, "Pinky Promise," at the same time before falling into a fit of giggles.
********
I curse Sasha after every step I take. My intention was to just stretch out my muscles and work off a little stress, but we both ended up spending more time than needed working with weights. My whole body is screaming in pain and all I want to do is order a pizza and soak in a hot bubble bath. Unlocking my front door, I hobble inside. Throwing my keys into the glass fish bowl on my side table I walk straight to my bedroom while stripping off clothes as I go.
As my bath water fills up, I order a large cheese pizza and pour myself a large glass of white wine. Turning my IPod on, I relax into the bath and let the bubbles and hot water erase all my worries and ease my sore muscles. One of my favorite songs, Treasure by Bruno Mars, comes on and I immediately turn up my speakers as loud as they will go and sing my heart out. I am so lost in the music and bubbles surrounding my body, that I never hear the door open.
With a large grin plastered across my face, I open my eyes and twist around to turn the speakers down. I splutter as I notice in my amused Adonis leaning against the door frame.
What the fuck?
"How the hell did you get inside my house?" I scream at him. Ignoring my nakedness, I step out of the tub, clear out the water, and turn back towards him ready to do battle.
Staring into his hooded smoky green eyes my body and brain fight over what to do next. My brain screams for me to get dressed while my body is begging me jump him now and worry about the consequences later. After several steamy minutes, my brain wins and unease over
the situation sets in.
Heat floods my face as I reach out and grab a towel beside the tub and do my best to cover myself. I don't know why I even try; he has already had his fill of everything there is to see. Smart move, Kelly!
Making a half cough, half amused sound his heated eyes rake my body up and down before finally answering. "I knocked loudly several times. I saw your car here and was afraid something bad had happened. I found your hidden key under the plant by the front door and came in to check on you."
"You really need to do something about your hero complex, Mr. Scott. I never knew you were the type to break into a helpless woman's house."
"You are many things Kelly, but helpless is not one of them," he says trying to hold back a nervous laugh.
"How long were you watching me while I bathed?" I ask with a cocked eyebrow.
His laughter finally breaks loose and it takes him several minutes to get himself back under control. His laugh warms me all over and reminds me that I am still standing in nothing but a towel. Brushing past him I make my way to my bedroom and shut the door behind me so I can get dressed in private. Pulling out my normal night clothes that consist of a small tank top and boxer shorts, I dress quickly and rake my brush through my wet hair before pulling it up in a messy bun. Not the best I have ever looked, but it will have to do.
Leaving my bedroom, I find him looking around my living room. He seems deep in thought as he studies all the photos of friends and family I have hung up on the walls and framed on a few tables.
"You seem to be very close to your family and friends," he muses.
"Yea, I am," I agree with a nod. "I have not seen my family in a while, but I try and talk to them as much as possible. They are really the best and have supported me in everything I have done with my life."
He shoots me a megawatt smile and those lickable dimples make an appearance, making my knees go weak. Just as I am about to ask what made him stop by my house in the first place, the doorbell chimes. Yea, my pizza has finally arrived.
Running into the kitchen I retrieve some money from my purse and head back towards the front door. Before I have a chance to turn the door knob, Daemon grabs my upper arm and spins me around.
"What the hell do you think you are doing?" He growls out like a man possessed.
I am stunned by his sudden attitude. "I ordered a pizza earlier and that is the pizza man delivering it," I say motioning towards the front door. "Now please move out of my way so I can get my food before he leaves and I get blacklisted for prank deliveries."
Eyeing me up and down, he curses under his breath and rakes a hand over his face. Shooting me a dangerous look he pushes me back towards the kitchen.
"There is no way in hell you are answering the door wearing only that. I can fucking see your perky hard nipples through your shirt, Kelly." he barks out, causing my blood to boil.
Crossing my arms over my chest, I groan in frustration. "Just leave Daemon. I don't need you coming into my home unannounced and telling me what to do."
"Stay in here and I will get the pizza," he orders. You are not prancing around half naked in front of some young twerp deliver boy," he shouts while stomping off back towards the door.
Throwing myself down on the nearest chair, I bide my time until he returns. I can't wait to let loose on Mr. Dimples and tell him exactly how I feel and what he can do with his orders and shitty attitude.
I practice the words in my head. As he re-enters the kitchen with my pizza they are on the tip of my tongue, but as I open my mouth, nothing comes out. As much as I want to tear in to him, I can't seem to make myself do it.
I study him as he moves around my kitchen with ease, filling up our plates and refilling my glass of wine from earlier. I never realized how much I missed having a man in my life. It is nice having someone else around to talk to and rely on.
Don't get me wrong, he has his faults and the protective bossy shit is hard to deal with, but everything he has done has been because he cares. I was with Gary for years and he never once cared what I was wearing in front of the pizza man. Hell, I could have answered the door naked and Gary would not have noticed.
Lost in my thoughts I don't hear Daemon calling my name until he is beside me caressing my shoulder. "I'm sorry...what did you say?" I ask blushing. Glancing around, I suddenly notice that my table has been set and my food and drink are sitting in front of me. A smile breaks out across my face and all ill thoughts towards Daemon disappear.
Taking a seat in front of me, he flashes me a curious glance. "What were you thinking so hard about, Tulip? You seemed to be a million miles away."
Without thought I blurt out, "Okay, let's try and do this." My hands shake with nerves, but my voice holds strong and sure.
A sly smile curves up the side of his lips as he holds my gaze. "Say the words, Kelly. I need to hear you say that you want to be mine."
"I want..." I say before he cuts me off. Putting a finger over my lips he silences me.
Shaking his head he continues. "You need to know what you are agreeing to first," he states.
Staring up at the ceiling, he gathers his thoughts, than continues again. "I protect what is mine and I don't share, Kelly. If you are mine, then you will only be mine. No dating anyone else and I promise you will be the only one for me. I have not had a relationship since I was a teenager and even then I was not great at it. I will make mistakes, piss you off and probably make you want to hate me on more than one occasion. I need you to be patient with me and allow me a few fuck ups."
Reaching for my hands he pulls me up and over onto his lap. His scent hits me hard and my belly clenches in delight. I move around so that I am straddling his legs and grind my crotch against the bulge tenting his brown cargo shorts. I am tired of words and for once in my life want action instead.
"I want you Daemon," I say, planting a light kiss on the right side of his mouth. "I want to try and make this work between us and I promise to be only yours," I stop and place another kiss on the other side of his mouth. He tries to kiss me back but I pull away. "And I agree to all those other long winded rules and expectations you also mentioned."
Cupping his face in my hands, I lean in and kiss him softly on his lips. My tongue sweeps through his mouth as I put all my emotion into it, showing him that I claim him as mine as much as he claims me as his.
With a carnal moan he deepens the kiss, thrusting his tongue deep into my mouth as he wraps both arms around me and scoops me up into his arms. Needing more contact, I reach my hand up under his shirt and run my fingers up and down his muscular chest, enjoying the feel of the valleys and hills that make up his tight six pack.
Straying away from his lips, I regain my voice and pant," My bedroom is down the hall, first door on the right." Grunting his approval, he loops both my arms around his neck and without breaking stride carries me towards my bedroom. With careful ease he lays me down in the middle of my bed. I scoot myself up towards the headrest and take a moment to admire his body. There is enough light streaming in through my sheer white curtains from outside that I don't bother to turn on my side lamp.
Licking my lips, my eyes rake over his clothes clad body. "I want to see you naked," I whisper shyly. I hate how weak my voice sounds, but I am not used to voicing demands or asking for anything during sex. Gary always thought talk before, during and after sex was annoying and always chastised me like a child anytime I tried.
"Whatever my Tulip wants, she shall get," Daemon murmurs with a cocky smile.
Watching him strip off his shirt, followed by shoes, belt, pants, and finally his silk boxers is better than opening presents on Christmas Day.
My eyes greedily eat up the sight of him. His cock juts up thick, long and proud against his stomach, making my pussy clench and weep in anticipation.
"Your turn, Tulip," he demands huskily. "Climb up on your knees right where you are and show me how bad you want me. Tease me until I am so hard my dick hurts." As if to emphasize his point, he reaches
down and slowly begins to stroke himself. My eyes go wide and my fingers yearn to touch him. I can't tear my eyes away from watching him. It is the most erotic and sexy thing I have ever seen.
"Come on Tulip, strip for me love," he says now with more assertion. "Make it good and I promise to give you an orgasm you will never forget."
My eyes travel up his beautiful body, drinking him in. I don't want to seem like a prude, but I am not sure how to look sexy while undressing myself. I am red with embarrassment and completely out of my league. I am practically a virgin compared to his sexual knowledge and experience.
Biting my bottom lip, I weigh my options and throw caution to the wind. Refusing to meet his gaze, I slowly pull my tank top up and over my head. Without a bra on, my breasts land heavy against my chest. Hearing his sharp intake of breath gives me the confidence I needed to continue.
Shedding my shorts next, I sit back down on my knees completely naked and stripped bare to him in more ways than one. Wanting to please him and prove to myself that I can move beyond my past and be the daring girl I swore to become, I tentatively start moving my hands.
Cupping my breasts in both hands I rub them lightly, teasing my nipples into hard peaks before pulling at them between my index finger and thumb. The sensation sends a shockwave of pleasure down my stomach straight to my aching sex. I repeat the move, pulling my nipples harder as I start getting into the act of pleasing myself in front of someone else and earning a deep groan from Daemon .
Shifting my eyes up towards his own, I stare into his hooded eyes as my fingers travel down my stomach and dip down low into my heated channel. My thumb lightly brushes over my throbbing clit and I arch my back desperate for more.
Regaining my composure I thrust two fingers into my eager pussy and moan loudly as a ripple of need shoots through me. Daemon growls loudly as he stops his stroking and stalks towards me. Gripping both my wrists he pulls my hands up and over my head while using his weight to cause me to fall backwards.