Come Home Again (The Donovans)

by Nana Malone

  Nate leaned his head into her neck and nuzzled her as he thrust into her. “You feel that, Lila? How we're perfectly joined? I plan to keep it this way.”

  “Yes. Nate, oh God.”

  He slid their hands back up until the pads of their finger stroked over her clit, all while still plucking at that puckered nipple.

  “Nate, I-I'm going to come. I just—Oh, my God.”

  He pressed their fingers to her clit. “You keep touching yourself, sweetheart. You know how you like it. Show me.”

  Harsh breaths tore out of her, and she touched herself in soft strokes.

  He gripped her hip and increased his pace. He wanted to wait for her, but if she kept making those sexy mewling noises, he'd lose it before she—

  Delilah went stiff in front of him, and he was on the verge of asking her what was wrong when he heard the voices too. Coming down the back stairwell. His neighbors.

  He wasn't worried they'd be seen, but he was worried they'd be heard. He immediately released her hip and clamped a hand over her mouth. But he didn't let up with the thrusting or playing with her nipple. They were both too close. They couldn’t stop. Not now. Not when they both needed this so bad.

  With three strokes, he teetered on the edge of a blissful, oblivious death when he felt her inner walls clamp around him like a vise. Once, twice, the little quakes inside her milked him. Her scream came out as a muffled squeak. In the garage bay next to them, he heard his neighbors talking about trying a new sushi place. It was then he felt the second wave of orgasm roll through Delilah, and he lost his tenuous hold on reality and careened off the cliff.

  ###

  With filtered sunlight streaming into his bedroom, Nate held Delilah close and watched as she slept. One thing was for certain, he could get used to waking up with her. His room smelled of her now. Hell, his whole place smelled like her. Sinfully spicy and sweet. As always, the mere thought of her had his cock hardening in seconds.

  She stirred in his arms. “Nate, there’s a dick poking me. Is there something you wanted?” She giggled.

  Her laugh was enough to make him rock hard. “Sorry. He’s uncivilized. He’s just so excited to find you in his bed.”

  “Yeah, as if there’s never been a woman in your bed before. Have you seen you?”

  He wished he saw what she did. “You have rose-colored glasses when it comes to me. Not that I’m complaining.”

  She studied him with soft eyes, and as she chewed her bottom lip, he could tell she was working her way up to something. She licked her lips, and his cock jerked with an oh-hell-yes-please-lick-me-too. He clenched his teeth against the spike of desire.

  “About last night.”

  He didn’t like the sound of that, but he managed to keep his breathing even. “What part of last night?”

  “The garage.”

  The tension rolled out of him, and he relaxed a little. He swept a hand over her hip. The sunlight streaming into his bedroom warmed her skin, making it look like bronze. “Do you want to do it again?”

  She grinned. “Well, obviously. But that’s not what I’m talking about. We didn't use a condom.”

  Fuck. He sat up straight in bed while his mind replayed the reel, and he recalled the exquisiteness of sliding into her bare. “Shit, Delilah, I’m so sorry. I swear. I’m usually thinking straighter and more careful. I was tested three months ago and haven’t been with anyone since.” She frowned and studied him like maybe she didn’t believe him.

  She shook her head. “I can’t believe you haven’t been with anyone in three months.”

  He shrugged. “Well, it’s true. I sort of become a recluse when I’m coding. And truth be told, no one really caught my eye.”

  A light blush tinted her cheeks. “I have an IUD so we’re covered. And I haven’t been with anyone in a year so...” Her voice trailed off.

  “A year?” He blinked. “How is that possible?”

  “I work around the clock, and my B.O.B. tides me over in emergency cases.” She laughed.

  “Looks like I have some competition.”

  “Not even by a mile. I prefer the real thing.” She laughed again.

  The silence grew heavy with all the things they weren’t saying. He ran a hand through his hair. Ahh, the shaky conversation about exclusivity and what exactly they were doing. He’d finally gotten her in his arms, this conversation could wait. His dick nudged her again. “Sorry. He’s been waiting seven years to wake up with you. He’s got a lot of pent-up fantasies.”

  She giggled, the seriousness forgotten for the time being, and slid her hand under the sheets, wrapping her hand around his rock hard erection. “Seven years is a long time to wait. Maybe I can reward you for your patience.”

  One hand slid over his cock, stroking him up and down just the way he liked it, squeezing a little at the base. Her other hand cupped his balls. “Fuck, Delilah.”

  It didn’t take long before bliss blocked out any rational thinking.

  Chapter 20

  Getting some free time to see Delilah was quickly becoming a challenge. If possible she worked even harder than he did. And now, especially with the Michael Ross debacle, she was putting in even longer hours. And of course his schedule was impossible as they geared up for Coder’s Day and the release of the new game. It had been three days since she’d come by his place, and he already had withdrawal symptoms. He missed her.

  So when his phone chimed with a text, he knew she needed another rain check.

  I’m really sorry. Still dealing with fallout of Michael Ross’s arrest.

  He sighed. He wanted to see her, but he understood.

  It’s okay. Working late too. Still in testing for this game’s release. Can you send me a picture of your breasts to tide me over?

  Ha! This guy I’m seeing would find it on the dark net, and he’d want to kick your ass.

  He liked that she put it out there so casually. They were seeing each other. It felt good to have something semi solidified with her. Even if it was the consistency of Jell-O.

  He tapped out a quick message.

  I could take him. Please. At the rate we’re going, I won’t see you till next week. Give a guy a thrill.

  The next text that came in was labeled an image. His skin flushed hot. Holy hell. Had she taken a picture of her boobs? He sent up a silent prayer even as he clicked open. Immediately he barked out a laugh. She’d sent him a moving gif of bouncing cartoon boobs.

  He texted her back.

  Very clever. Touché.

  But unwilling to concede the text battle he sent another one.

  I can still smell you in my bed. Makes me think of how you taste. How your eyes roll back when I slide into you with my finger or my cock. And how you love having me play with your nipples. Tell me beautiful, are you thinking about how my cock feels inside you?

  Silence.

  Then another minute ticked by and still no response. Finally his phone buzzed.

  Sorry, I needed to make use of mini B.O.B., otherwise known as the magic bullet. Are you picturing me touching myself in my office?

  Oh, fuck. His cock went rigid in his jeans.

  God, you’re killing me. Let’s meet somewhere. I need to touch you.

  Gotchya!

  You’re evil.

  She sent him a smiley face first, then followed it up with another text.

  I know. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you win a sext battle.

  Grinning from ear to ear he sent her another message.

  I will make you pay for that. You know I’m not going to get any work done now.

  I know. Sweet dreams. Willow just popped into my office.

  Damn, that woman was diabolical. He certainly wasn’t going to get any more work done now. He quickly shut his laptop down and checked the clock. Damn, two in the morning. He'd have barely four hours of sleep before having to come right back. Maybe it made sense to bring a change of clothes if this was going to be a habit.

  It took him less tha
n five minutes to make it downstairs. He could have called for a car, but he preferred his bike. The Tomahawk allowed him to think. And he loved nothing more than riding through the deserted streets of the city.

  He supposed he also could have had the valet park his bike and bring it around, but he preferred to do things for himself. He didn’t think he’d ever get used to things being done for him. He jogged across the street. He slowed as he saw the figure leaning up against the side entrance with his back to Nate. The hairs on the back of his neck stood at attention.

  “I was wondering if you’d ever come out of that damn building. I was prepared to wait all night.”

  Nate froze, bile rising in his throat. “Trent, what are you doing here?”

  His brother turned to face him. The resemblance was still there, especially around the eyes, but his older bother’s life choices showed in his features. With his yellow teeth, wrinkles, and bags under his eyes, Trent looked more like their mother than he looked like Nate.

  “Is that any way to welcome your brother? Why don’t you look happier to see me?”

  Because every time I see you, my life goes to shit. “Oh, I’m happy. Now what do you want?”

  Trent shrugged. “Wanted to see how my baby brother, the new belle of the tech ball, was doing.”

  Fantastic, Trent had seen the news. This was exactly why he didn’t want press. Nate had warned Jake, and now his worst nightmare was coming true. “What? Do you need money?” He automatically reached for his wallet.

  Trent spat then rubbed his nose. “Money? You think what you have in that wallet will be enough? Maybe those new crisp bills of yours will make up for me spending two years in lockup for the clinic job. It’s going to take more than a few Benjamins to send me packing.”

  Nate ground his teeth. “I don’t have time for bullshit. Just tell me what the fuck you want.” Trent had been out for seven years. While he’d been in Rikers, Nate had made the mistake of going to see him once. It wasn’t a mistake he’d repeated.

  “Right. Just because you’re some hotshot now doesn’t mean you don’t owe me. I was real surprised to find you in New York. I thought you would have run from this place as far as you could, but here you are. I saw your picture on TV as I was passing one of those electronic stores over on 42nd. I couldn’t believe that my baby brother was here and hadn’t bothered to look me up.”

  Bullshit, he’d been emailing before the announcement had been made. He wanted money. He always wanted money. “I don’t owe you a thing. You made it clear the night you went to jail that we’re not brothers. So you’re on your own.” Despite the hammering of his heart and the nausea making his belly roil, he kept his shoulders straight and attempted to pass.

  But Trent stopped him. “Imagine my surprise when I saw the news one day mentioning you as the new CEO of some company. I thought, no, that couldn’t be my brother. But look at you. All spiffed up.”

  He would not be sick in front of Trent. Would not give his brother the satisfaction of knowing how he affected him still, after all these years. “That was you at Bryant Park?”

  Trent laughed. “These celebrity blog sites. They’re great. You can find anyone who’s famous, thanks to the web.”

  He had to get out of here. “We’re done here, Trent.”

  “Not quite, Baby Brother. Imagine my surprise when I saw you at lunch with a blast from the past, Delilah Donovan. How is that fine piece of brown sugar? You ever manage to finally hit that?”

  Ice in his veins rooted Nate to the pavement. “Shut your fucking mouth.”

  “Ah, I see you still have a thing for her. I, personally, don’t see it, but whatever.”

  Nate couldn’t even turn to face his brother. But his voice was steely when he spoke. “What do you want?”

  “I’ll tell you one thing, what you have in your wallet isn’t going to cover it.”

  He turned to glare at Trent. “Name your price, and I expect you to disappear.”

  Trent’s smile morphed his already haggard face into a sinister smile. “Let’s start with an even hundred grand. You’re a big time CEO now, you can afford it.”

  He whipped around to face his brother. “Are you insane? It doesn’t work like that. I can’t just give you a hundred thousand dollars.”

  “Sure you can.” Trent nodded. “I know you have it. Don’t you think I know what a Dodge Tomahawk costs? I’m the one who taught you about bikes, remember? You pay, or I tell your little girlfriend all the fun details about how you killed a man. I’m not fucking around, Nate. And if that’s not enough incentive, imagine what the media will do with that information. No more cushy CEO job for you.”

  A bead of icy sweat trickled down his back. He’d warned Chase not to put him at the helm, now his past threatened everything. “I’ll pay it. You just stay the hell away from Delilah.”

  Trent grinned. “Whatever you say, Little Brother.”

  Chapter 21

  After a week of dealing with the Michael Ross debacle, Delilah needed a break, so she’d taken the day off. Jake hadn’t look pleased about her taking a Friday off, but she had over five weeks of vacation stored, so he could kiss her ass. She’d also decided to go home for her mother’s birthday after all. A little family time would do her some good.

  A news brief for the E! Network came on, and immediately, there was a photo of Michael on screen. “Damn, I can’t even escape you at home,” she muttered.

  After the news of Michael’s arrest broke, she’d had several closed-door meetings with Michael’s representation and his handlers. He’d been arrested for allegedly hitting his girlfriend Reesa Daniel. The media didn’t have her name yet, but they’d get it eventually. Someone from Reesa’s camp would no doubt leak it.

  The real clincher would be whether or not she pressed charges. He’d been arrested because Reesa’s assistant had called the cops, but without her statement they couldn’t hold him. Delilah knew Michael was her client and she wasn’t supposed to root for Reesa, but she hoped the starlet did press charges.

  She shook her head. No more Michael Ross. She was going to take a much needed break. Besides, there wasn't much she could do now. She’d called in every favor she’d ever garnered with the New York Press core to bury the story as much as they could. And some had managed to come through for her. The rest was up to Michael and his lawyers. She’d tried to convince him that he needed a mea culpa to his fans and to start doing something positive to counterbalance the negative, but she’d been shot down. But for now at least, the maelstrom was over. Reesa hadn't come forward with a statement, so now it was a waiting game. Now Delilah finally had a break.

  And tonight she would finally see Nate again. Like clockwork, the moment she thought of him, her whole body warmed. She was in so much trouble. Screw Jake and his rules. She was in trouble with herself, because she knew where this was headed. If she and Nate kept going like they were, she would fall in love with him.

  She didn’t want to get hurt, but she couldn’t stay away from him. Like last time. But he was so different. The way he was working was like a man putting down roots. And he’d trusted her with his image. But he doesn’t trust you enough to tell you about those mysterious emails he gets.

  She squelched her natural inclination to poke and prod. Some things she wasn’t meant to fix. If it was major or affected her, he’d tell her. He’d texted once to check on her. The thrill that ran through her at just seeing his name on her phone screen should have been a warning. But instead, she picked up her phone again, her thumb hovering over his name in her contacts. What would she say?

  There was a loud knock at her door, and her heart revved into gallop. Maybe he’d been thinking about her too. No dumbass, he doesn’t know where you live. Sweeping her curls behind her ears, she went to the door. When she checked the peephole, ice crawled down her spinal column. Making sure her chain was engaged, she opened the door a crack. “What are you doing here, Michael?”

  “Delilah, can I come in, please?”
<
br />   “No. What are you even doing here? This is wildly inappropriate.” Him on her doorstep, and she without her own personal linebacker.

  “Look, I just had to see you. I had to say sorry.”

  If she believed him for even a second, she’d be a bigger chump than he thought she was. She’d heard this all before. Every time he’d been arrested. Every time she’d helped him out of a mess. She wasn’t buying it. “Okay, you’ve said you’re sorry, now you should go.”

  He listed to the side a little, and the smell of bourbon made its way to her nostrils. “Just let me in, Delilah. What if someone sees me out here and calls the rags? You’re supposed to protect me.”

  Oh no. There was nothing going to make her open this door. Not even guilt. She pulled her phone out of her back pocket and hit record. Maybe now, Jake would see how dangerous he was. Showing up to her place like this. He had to let her drop him. “You’re doing this to yourself. You’re the one who’s shown up at my door unannounced. I’m not obligated to protect you.”

  “I bet if I was Nate Williams you’d let me in.”

  She narrowed her gaze. What the hell did he know about her and Nate? “Not a chance. You have to go home.”

  “You know, you’re a real bitch. I just want to talk to you.”

  Delilah ignored the spike of anger. She wasn't going to engage. “You have thirty seconds to get off my doorstep or you’ll be taking another trip to jail. You really want to head back so soon? I’m sure they’re keeping the bed warm for you.”

  His face grew even redder with the veins at his temples throbbing. “We’re not done.”

  “Yes, Michael, we are.” She closed her door with an audible click and made sure all her locks were engaged. First thing in the morning, she was having a conversation with building security. There was no way he should have been allowed to walk right in.