by LJ Vickery
Prez rolled his eyes. “I knew that.” He held out a hand toward Sarge. “Fifty bucks, loser.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
After the EMT’s put three quick stitches in Solina’s lip, and were assured she didn’t want to go to the ER, they left. She’d talked Billboard through the furnace repair, so the heat was on, much to everyone’s satisfaction. Now she was ready to collapse. She was so tired, and it felt delicious to finally be snuggled up against Wiley’s broad chest. Her brain was about to shut down, but she needed to see to her friend before it did.
“Mary.” She stifled a yawn. “You’ll come home with me.”
The detectives and the DEA swarmed all over the house, hauling away bad guys, collecting evidence and doing whatever else they did. Their presence would continue overnight, if not for several more days.
I’m not moving an inch, Mary wielded her pen determinedly as they stood in Pietro’s office. Now that I have my house back, I can deal with some inconvenience until I can set things straight.
“Uh, ma’am?” Steven, who had shown up with the DEA, perused the note over Mary’s shoulder and stepped forward. “I’m afraid that’s not an option. This is a crime scene for the time being.”
Wiley pulled Solina closer. “And I’m sorry, too, Beauty. Your house may not be in any condition for company,” he told her gently. “Pietro’s guys trashed it, and even though Bri and Mayg spent the day cleaning up, it may not be habitable yet.”
“They did that for me?” At Wiley’s nod, tears came to her eyes before her shoulders slumped. “It’s my own fault,” she huffed. “If I’d just given up the location of the puzzle the first time Pietro asked, my home wouldn’t have been trashed.”
“That’s true,” Wiley agreed. “But the delay bought us enough time to find you. That’s all that matters.” He tightened his hold, rubbing her arm.
She suddenly gasped. “Ostrich… Is he okay?”
“He’s fine,” Wiley assured her with a straight face. “I spoke to him myself. He’s anxious to have you home.”
Solina giggled, which was obviously Wiley’s intention. “So, where will we go then?” she asked.
“My place,” Wiley told her without hesitation.
“But you only have one guest room,” Solina blurted out, then covered her mouth with her hand.
Way to announce sleeping arrangements to the world, dummy.
“That’s right. One for Mary, and you’ll be sharing with me.” Wiley had no such compulsion to keep his intentions hidden. “If you think I’m going to let you out of my sight for a minute after living on the edge of a heart attack and gastrointestinal Armageddon all day, think again.”
Normally, having someone claim control over her life decisions would have sent Solina into a hissy, but Wiley’s overprotectiveness felt damned good right now. She’d look at it as pampering, not dictating.
“Okay.” Solina gave in. “How does that sound to you, Mary?”
Like I’ll be a third wheel. She smirked. But as long as it’s only one night, I’ll accept the kind offer.
Steven had been watching the exchange. “You should be able to get in by tomorrow afternoon,” he told her, then turned to Wiley. “I’ll call you when it’s all clear.”
“Great. Now, it’s time to get someone out of here before she passes out. Do you need us for anything else?” They’d already given their statements several times.
The detective addressed Mary again. “We’d probably like a more detailed account from you, Ms. Anestis, but there’s no need to come down to the station. I’ll arrange to drop by after you settle back in.”
I appreciate that, Detective…unless you have a good-looking, sixty-something colleague at your precinct cruising for a nice single lady. In which case, I’d be more than happy to make the trip to Boston.
Steven barked out a laugh. “Damn, if I weren’t happily married, I’d be first in line. As it is, I’ll ask around.” He winked.
Thank you. Mary had a sparkle in her eyes. But nobody too bossy. Please. I’ve had enough of that to last me a lifetime.
“Noted.” Steven saluted saucily, gave a wave and went back to business.
Solina yawned. Damn. Mary had energy. She was wiped out after everything that had happened, yet her new friend was flirting and planning dates.
I’ve been stagnant too long, Mary wrote, showing it to Solina. And at my age, there’s no time to waste.
Wiley’s lips twitched. “I don’t think you’ll have to wait long,” he assured her. “Now, let’s get out of here.”
Should I pack a bag? Mary scribbled.
Solina’s shoulders snapped back, instantly on edge. “Oh shit. My bag.” Her eyes went to the corner of the room. Her things still lay scattered on the floor where Pietro’s goon had rifled through them.
She’d missed her comfort items and extra clothing terribly while trapped in the cellar. She stepped forward, but was held back by Wiley’s tender grasp on her arm.
“They’re part of the crime scene now, Solina. You won’t be allowed to take them tonight. Do you think you’ll be okay leaving your stuff behind?”
Solina suppressed a hysterical giggle. Will I be okay without them?
She stilled for a moment and looked inside herself. What she found was a strength she didn’t know she had. She’d spent nearly thirty hours deprived of her belongings. She’d been threatened, beaten, learned how to pick a lock, disabled a furnace and had a gun held to her head, so…
Hell yes. She didn’t need her things. Amazing.
“I’ll be fine,” she told Wiley with conviction.
He let out the breath he’d been holding. “That’s my girl.” He squeezed her again. “I’ll make a stop at the twenty-four-hour Walmart on the way home, so we can get you both some necessities for the night.”
Solina blinked up at him―as much as her swollen eyes would allow―and pointed to her face, shaking her head. “Maybe not.”
“Yeah. Okay. No public appearances for you. You can make a list and Mary and I will go in.”
While the guys drove away in the company van, Steven gave Wiley the approval to take Solina’s vehicle. Even though it wasn’t Wiley’s first choice for dependable transportation, the Feds weren’t through going over any other cars on the property, so it was his only choice if he didn’t want to call an Uber.
He sucked it up and drove.
Twenty minutes later, not finding an open Walmart between Mary’s place and his, they decided that CVS would suffice. He ended up shopping by himself while Mary and Solina sat in her car, the latter not feeling quite comfortable enough to be left alone just yet.
Wiley strode up and down the aisles, huffing as he looked at the list. It was a good thing he had sisters and wasn’t squeamish about girly things…mostly. But damn. He had to pick out panties, bras and a couple t-shirts, as well as toiletries and toothbrushes.
While he stood in front of the undergarments, he got several strange looks from the night crew as he pondered between granny panties, classic or high-cut, briefs, bikinis or hipsters. Thank God he could at least rule out thongs and G-strings.
He finally settled on bikinis for both, yanking them off the display. The style looked like a good middle ground for coverage.
He growled to himself. Coverage? He didn’t like that one bit. As soon as Solina was able, they’d be picking out lingerie with far less real estate to them. Something lacy, and sheer, and black…
His mouth watered and his dick swelled. Ah, hell. If the workers didn’t think he was pervy before, he’d certainly be on their radar now with a hard-on for the plain cotton he carried.
He finished the rest of his list with a couple sports bras and Boston Strong t-shirts, then hustled through the self-checkout. When he finally stepped outside, he took a huge gulp of fresh, cold air.
Mission accomplished.
When he opened the rear door to Solina’s car, Mary immediately put a finger to her lips, pointing to the front. Solina sat curled up ag
ainst the door, sound asleep. Wiley nodded, put the bag into Mary’s hands and quietly closed her door before opening his own. Once he got a good look at Beauty, he snickered. She served up some awesome snoring, with a side of drool. A bomb could go off and she probably wouldn’t stir. Good. She needed it.
With his SUV still in Solina’s driveway, the spot in front of his apartment was empty…but no City of Boston sticker gave the old Plymouth permission to be there. Screw it. If he had a ticket by morning, he’d suck it up. No way he’d park in the garage down the street, which would mean waking Solina up to walk. Nope. He’d happily pay a fine.
He opened Mary’s door, letting her out, then hustled her around to the sidewalk, indicating that she should wait, handing her his apartment keys. Stepping forward, he opened the passenger door and carefully scooped Beauty into his arms. She mumbled in her sleep, but turned her head and burrowed it into his chest.
Damn, that feels good.
“Up the stairs, the apartment to the right,” he told Mary in sotto voice. “It’s the fat key.”
On her ever-present pad, she quickly scribbled. Which means we don’t have to wake Solina up to pick the lock. Mary snickered, walking ahead of Wiley and up the stone steps.
“Pick the lock?” Wiley questioned.
I’m sure she’ll tell you the whole story, Mary wrote, but let’s just say that with a nail file and letter opener, your girl can do wonders.
Hot shit.
Beauty had picked the lock on their basement jail? She really knew how to take care of things. What kind of head-in-the-sand parents did she have, thinking they could dictate to such a brilliant and self-sufficient woman? He couldn’t wait to meet them and set them straight. He was damned proud of Solina, and they should be, too.
Once inside his cozy apartment, Wiley realized he’d been in the same clothes since he’d changed at Del’s yesterday morning. He needed a shower and fresh boxers, in that order.
“Your bedroom is there, Mary.” He nodded toward it. “And the bathroom across the hall is all for you. I have my own attached bath.”
She nodded her thanks and went directly to use the facilities, while Wiley continued down the hall with his precious bundle.
Solina muttered sleepily as he loosened one hand, bent and tugged the blankets back on his bed to lay her down carefully. He slipped off her shoes.
“Shh, sweetheart,” he soothed as she stirred, then rearranged the comforter around her. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to take a quick shower.”
And relieve the ache in my cock.
Having Solina’s warm, pliant body draped all over him for the last five minutes had roused his libido toward DEFCON 1, and he needed to disarm before he went nuclear.
When she snuggled down into his pillow, Wiley heaved a sigh, walking toward the bathroom. Relief was just a palm away.
Once he’d reached his sanctuary, Wiley pushed the shower curtain aside and turned the water on to heat up. He shed his clothes, his dick locked and loaded. He wrapped his fingers around its turgidity and groaned. It would only take seconds to detonate once he added soap to the equation.
He tested the water and stepped in. Closing the curtain behind him, his digits played up and down his length as he conjured up a picture of Beauty splayed out on his bed. Oh yeah. He knew he couldn’t do anything sexual with her for a few days. She needed recovery time. But that didn’t stop his imagination from running away.
She’d have dark brown nipples and would be shaved, except for a small patch of curls that lovingly created the perfect nest for her clit. Her skin would be smooth as silk. And as he ran his hands from her breasts to her hips, she’d raise her pussy toward his mouth, begging for his tongue.
A sudden draft wafted around the shower curtain, cooling his ass. What the fuck? He dragged his hand away from his cock and waited. Someone had joined him in the little room, and he was pretty sure he knew who it was. His cock wept with joy.
He heard the toilet flush. Moments later, the curtain drew back slowly.
The look on her face seared him with the intensity of its heat.
He wanted to tell her not to bite her stitched lip, but her eyes, glued to his dick, had him at a loss. Was it the first erect cock she’d ever seen? If it was, what did she think?
“Oh, Wiley,” she breathed. “You’re beautiful.”
That answered that.
Leaving the curtain open, she started to drop her own clothing, piece by piece. Wiley hadn’t thought he could get any harder, but he was wrong. Her shirt disappeared, then her bra, giving him his first look at her breasts and her dark rose-colored nipples. Holy hell. His mouth watered. He didn’t care if he had the color wrong.
She hooked her thumbs into the waistband of her pants and shimmied them down, taking her panties with them.
This time, he’d been right. A tiny patch of dark hair appeared, which did nothing to hide the pouty lips below.
He attempted to speak. When nothing come out, he cleared his throat and tried again.
“Uh… Care to join me, Beauty?” he rasped.
Solina’s whole body might as well be smiling for the happy wiggle she did. “Absolutely, Wiley. I thought you’d never ask.” She stepped into the shower, her eyes not leaving his, stretching one hand toward his heaven.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Solina had stroked a few penises during her college days, even once beneath a date’s clothes, but she’d never seen one in full light…or full length. And Wiley’s length was damned impressive. His cock stood out from his taut abdomen, boldly bobbing, a lovely deep shade of brown against his naturally olive skin. She reached out to touch him, but he took a rapid step backward.
Shy? she wondered. Solina sent him a questioning look.
“I might be, uh, a little trigger-happy,” he admitted, regarding his cock with an apologetic sigh. “I don’t think I’ve ever been this hard in my entire life.”
“I’m honored,” she replied breathlessly, not in the least put out. His reticence to be touched gave her more time to admire him. Giving up on his cock for the moment, she let her gaze devour the entirety of his body.
He didn’t have a single follicle anywhere on his wide chest. His nipples stood out, dark and hard, with nothing to hide them, and if her mouth hadn’t just been stitched, she’d be sucking the nubs into her warm, wet cavity whether he liked it or not. She let that fantasy go for a moment, starting her visual journey southward again.
His hairlessness ended at his belly button, where downy-soft fur led an elegant trail to his pubic curls, which begged for her fingers to comb through their softness.
Soon, she thought. Very soon. And his ass?
Dare she ask? She’d been dreaming about seeing his lovely glute muscles the minute she ogled him in tight jeans. Maybe that portion of his anatomy wouldn’t be off limits for a few gentle strokes…or a hard grip from her twitchy fingers. She could almost feel her hands sinking into his yummy flesh.
Solina mentally shrugged. Why the hell not?
“Wiley, turn around.”
“Tu… Why? What are you going to do?” He narrowed his eyes.
“I’m going to have a look at your beautiful ass. What else?” She huffed, amused. “I’m a virgin, remember? You think I know what to do with it besides stare?”
“I’m not sure. You’re a smart woman. What you concoct in that head of yours sometimes surprises me.”
She snickered. “Not con-cocked. Pro-cocked. Get it? I’m all for it and anything it wants to do. If you’d rather we cut out the foreplay and―”
“Nope. I’m good,” Wiley broke in, turning around.
Damn. Now he played right into her fantasies.
“Hands on the shower wall, spread your legs,” she rasped. God, that didn’t sound like her voice. How had her vocal chords gone all sultry?
“Are we playing cop?” Wiley’s tone sounded equally as husky. “Because, I’m telling you right now, I don’t have any contraband.”
“I
’ll be the judge of that.” Solina stood for a moment, admiring Wiley’s luscious body. Finely cut with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, a trim and muscled ass. What a glorious sight. She never imagined anyone could be so beautiful. Then she narrowed her eyes.
What the…
“What’s this?” she asked, ducking down to get a closer look and prodding a red, circular scar on his lower right cheek. It looked fresh, recent.
Wiley twitched at her gentle poke and grumbled, “I took a bullet to my ass when Del and I rescued Bri from a shipping container.”
That derailed Solina for a moment. She gasped. “A shipping container?”
“I’ll tell you the whole thing another time,” he promised. “Right now, my brain isn’t exactly up for a story.”
“Poor, Bri. And poor Wiley,” she added, running her fingers over the pucker, then dropping a kiss on it, making Wiley groan. “Does it still hurt?”
“Only in my cock when you kiss my ass, and in my pride when the guys give me shit about it,” he admitted with a shiver.
Solina commiserated, then brought her mind back to the task at hand. She almost giggled. Right. Task at hand.
She moved up behind him and pressed her naked belly against his firm backside, her nipples drilling holes into the smooth skin of his back.
He shuddered and Solina sighed. Wiley was so hard, and warm, and big…and bossy, since he practically told her there’d be nothing more than foreplay tonight. But he could guess again. He wasn’t going to get his own way this time.
With her body leaning into his, Solina slid her hands over Wiley’s water-slicked hips and around to his abdomen. She paused for a brief second before curving both hands lower. One immediately circled his turgid cock, the other dropped gently to cup his taut balls.
Wiley moaned. “Beauty…,” he warned.
“Shhh,” she told him. “Let me.” Her hand skated up his length and down again, while she rolled his testicles tenderly. “I recognized the ‘I’m not going to make love with Solina tonight’ look you had on your face earlier.” She slowly worked his cock. “You think because I’ve been kicked around a little, you get to be all noble with me. Well, you just go with that, but I’m not going to be nearly as principled with you.” She increased her grip and slightly sped up her motion.