Daring Summer

by Suzanne Steele

  Blue reached over and gently moved a strand of blonde hair out of Amber’s face. She slid the curl around her finger, then playfully teased the tip of Amber’s nose with the soft ends. When Amber scrunched her nose and shifted restlessly, Blue couldn’t help but smile. There wasn’t a whole lot that made the Ramirez brothers’ favorite Sicaria smile -- another reason to keep Amber around.

  “I remember the first time I saw you,” Blue murmured softly into the silence. “The street was no place for you. I could tell right away that you were special. You didn’t need those fuckers pawing at you with their filthy hands. They all wanted you, you know. They wanted to know how it would feel to be in you. I knew all about Huggy, too, and the kind of kinky shit he’d eventually expect you to do for him and anyone else he wanted to impress. I knew I had to protect you, so I found excuses to come back and watch over you from a distance. Then Huggy Bear slapped you that night on the corner, probably making an example of you and showing everyone what a badass he thought he was. I knew you were refusing to do something he wanted. That was it; I was done. I had to get you out of there and make sure you’d never have to worry about him again. Finding you wasn’t a mistake or a coincidence, my love…nothing with me ever is.”

  Amber kept her breathing even as Blue’s words confirmed her suspicions: Blue had killed Huggy Bear. It was the only conclusion that made any sense. She was surprised that the discovery didn’t frighten her. She felt no urgency to run from a woman who was clearly dangerous. Instead, she felt safe. Blue cared about what happened to her. Amber felt comfortable in her own skin for the first time in years – maybe ever.

  With a smile curving her lips, Amber savored her newfound security and drifted off to sleep, for real this time, and without giving any indication that she had heard what Blue said. She would keep that knowledge to herself for now, until she figured out how she felt about it.

  Blue lifted her gaze from Amber’s curves and watched her face carefully. Was she awake? It’s okay if you are, my little lamb.

  There hadn’t been anything good in Blue’s life in a long time. She wouldn’t let Amber fall into a trap like the one that ensnared Kat, the woman they were trying to find. The streets were mean and so was Blue—she would be vicious when it came to protecting Amber. She would save all the good Amber was bringing out in her for private moments like this.

  Amber’s breathing abruptly shifted to a slower, steady rhythm, which suggested that she had likely been awake for Blue’s whispered speech earlier but was truly dozing now. Blue shifted restlessly in the bed as her gaze wandered along Amber’s curves. She bit down on her bottom lip, savoring the slight sting of pain as the tender flesh slid between her teeth.

  She rolled onto her side, resting her weight on an elbow as she trailed a fingertip along Amber’s arm. Her skin was unbelievably smooth, exquisitely soft. Blue’s finger came to rest in the dip between Amber’s collarbones at the base of her throat. She knew she should stop. She had no reason to think Amber would welcome her attentions. She would have to be content to watch her sleep. Surely there was no harm in that.

  But her good intentions crumbled to dust when Amber hummed softly in her sleep and arched her back. Blue’s fingertip began a tentative, southerly trek along the center of Amber’s chest. Amber abruptly rolled over toward Blue and took a deep breath. The move pressed her breasts together, forming a deep V of cleavage that stole Blue’s breath – and trapped her finger.

  Blue closed her eyes as those two lush mounds of soft flesh hugged her wandering finger. Fuck. Opening her eyes, Blue grimaced and bit her lip again as she attempted to tug her finger free from its velvety prison, determined to distance herself from the temptress who was beginning to move restlessly next to her in her bed.

  As her finger tugged against that pillowy softness, Blue inadvertently stroked the soft underside of Amber’s breast. Mesmerized by the silky texture of her skin, she groaned softly as she watched Amber’s nipples tighten in response.

  Amber was having the best dream. Blue’s face wafted in and out of view, smiling seductively. Amber’s nipples were straining almost painfully toward an elusive whisper of contact that just wasn’t enough. She huffed in frustration, her wordless complaint girlish and fussy.

  She wished Blue’s hands really were conjuring this pleasurable nirvana that was overwhelming her senses. “Touch me, Blue,” she moaned softly.

  She huffed softly in frustration and rolled her hips in search of…something she wanted, something she needed. The hands she was wishing for weren’t the broad, masculine hands she usually went for in her fantasy life. No, these hands would be feminine with slender fingers and long, tapered nails that would lightly raked her stomach beneath her top.

  Arching her back in vain, Amber spread her knees and thrust upward into…nothing. She didn’t know what she wanted, just knew she wasn’t getting it. As her bottom lip jutted out on a whimper, a mysterious hand covered her own and exerted gentle pressure. Amber smiled and took the initiative, moving her hand inexorably lower, hoping the other hand would surely follow.

  As soon as her fingers found purchase beneath her lacy boy shorts, the hand slid away. “Touch me again,” she whispered into the empty air. Amber wasted no time but got right to work stroking her clit. She wished the hand was still there, but her clit felt too good and she couldn’t stop. She worked her clit hard, rubbing it with the firm, rhythmic strokes she imagined Blue would use on her.

  Amber had never been with a woman, had never found the idea remotely appealing. In fact, she had refused when Huggy had demanded she make her body available to the wife of one of his best customers. But as she worked her fingers in and out of her slick opening now and pressed the heel of her hand against her clit, it was Blue’s face that occupied her mind; it was Blue’s touch that her body craved.

  “Fuck, touch me, Blue. Get me off…do it…do it…” In her semi-dream state, the words tumbled from her lips, followed by an endless stream of incoherent phrases and nonsensical sounds of entreaty that centered around her protector, her champion. Her Blue.

  Blue couldn’t believe what was happening in her bed. Amber’s agitated state, combined with all the panting and writhing, would have put the raunchiest porn star to shame. And it was all for her. Every other word from Amber’s bee-stung lips was her name. Blue knew her well enough to understand that this was a departure for Amber; she didn’t go for women sexually, had even confided in her that she’d always refused female customers even when Huggy had tried to insist otherwise. From what little information Amber had shared with her, she didn’t enjoy the sex she had with men and certainly never participated with any real enthusiasm.

  Blue’s fists clenched as she struggled to be still and let this undulating sex kitten work things out for herself. No way would she manipulate Amber while she was in such a vulnerable state. But there was no doubt as to the direction of Amber’s wet dream. And Blue didn’t think there was any harm in watching.

  She wanted nothing more than to suck a pebbled nipple into her mouth tease it with her tongue and…oh, fuck. She had to know. She leaned in, whispering softly so as not to alarm Amber or disturb her delicious dream. “What do you want, baby? Tell me. You can have whatever you want, just tell me what to do.”

  Amber turned her head toward the sound, her eyelids fluttering as the dream continued. She panted and frowned, her hand moving frantically between her spread legs as her arousal hit a fever pitch. Her breath hitched in her throat at the warm gush of arousal between her legs that released a light musky scent into the air. She slid two fingers into her pussy and whimpered as she finger-fucked herself. She started whispering mindlessly in a girlish voice, “Blue…Blue…touch me. Pet my pussy, Blue.”

  Blue closed her eyes. Fucking hell. She knew everything she needed to know. But for now, she was just going to enjoy the show. And what a show it was.

  Amber’s sexy, baby doll voice became breathy and desperate. “Makin’ me fuckin’ come. You’re making me do it, a
ren’t you? Want you to eat my pussy, Blue…lick me so fucking hard…fuck yeah…”

  Blue’s jaw dropped and a slow smile spread across her face. Amber – who had never liked sex in the past -- was a talker, a fucking dirty talker.

  Amber wasn’t coming yet but she was sure as hell getting there, and she was taking Blue along for the ride. Blue had never heard baby talk sound so filthy, and she loved it. Amber’s voice took on a high-pitched, hoarse, frantic quality as she teetered on the edge of orgasm, her fingers making deliciously messy sounds as they stroked her drenched pussy. “Mmm…yeah, lick my pussy, Blue. Make me come…eat me all up…like that…just like that…oh, Blue…oh, fuuuuck!”

  Enough of this. Hearing Amber crying out for her as she climaxed was too much to endure without chasing her own relief. Blue hurriedly shimmied her jeans down her hips. She never took her eyes off Amber’s busy hands as she started working her own clit, matching Amber’s frantic rhythm as the waves of pleasure overtook her.

  Blue let Amber sleep for a little while and then it was time to get ready to hit the streets and hunt down leads. After midnight, the streets of Louisville would be alive with all manner of shady activity.

  While Amber dozed, Blue tapped away on her laptop with ease, as if her nails were much shorter than they were. She had a lot to think about. Did she want to go into business on her own with women she chose to use for her own escort service, or did she want to do it under the protection of the Ramirez brothers? Blue had spent years enduring how much she hated turning tricks as an escort by comforting herself with the sheer sexual power she held over her johns. It wasn’t enough anymore. She had a love/hate relationship with her job and Amber was changing everything.

  “Time to get up, Sleeping Beauty.”

  “Do I need to be worried while we’re out there?” Amber asked, stretching as she sat up.

  “We’ll be together.”

  “Are you taking a gun?”

  Blue cut her eyes at her with a smirk, setting the laptop aside after she saved her work and turned it off.

  “Okay. Dumb question,” Amber rolled her eyes. Amber quickly got dressed for the night’s activities, but Blue noticed she blushed whenever she summoned the nerve to make eye contact. Blue did her best to act natural and said nothing about what had happened during Amber’s ‘nap’. There would be time enough to talk about things later. For now, they needed to find Kat.

  “If it makes you feel any better, I have a permit to carry a concealed weapon.”

  “Which means you’ve never been busted.”

  Blue grinned and reached over to knock on the African Blackwood nightstand next to the bed.

  “I don’t think it’s luck that’s gotten you this far,” Amber said over her shoulder as she strode into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator, selecting a Monster coffee drink.

  Blue looked up from where she was now seated on the edge of the bed zipping up black leather Christian Louboutin boots with an obscenely high heel. “I’m glad to know you have confidence in my abilities.”

  Amber bounced back into the room like she hadn’t just awakened from a nap that had included a ‘monster’ orgasm. She set the drink down on a coaster. “You’re going to burn up in boots and all that rubber and latex and leather stuff you wear. And you need more colors than black. You look like a dominatrix.”

  Blue raised an eyebrow, giving her a death stare that would have scared anyone else off. “Oh, are you dressing me now?” she asked.

  Amber blushed furiously. “Some color would just be nice, you know.” She reached over, lightly stroking Blue’s glossy black, waist-length hair. “With hair like that and those blue eyes…the possibilities are endless.”

  “I’ll take you shopping with me the next time I go. But if you think you’re going to dress me in lace and bows, you’ve got the wrong girl.”

  Amber rolled her eyes. “That’s not what I’m saying. It’s just that you’re so beautiful and powerful and curvy and…oh, I don’t know what I’m saying. Don’t mind me.”

  “I listen to every word you say, Amber. And you need some new things, too.” Blue got up and walked toward the door with the precision of a woman who knew how to wear insanely high heels rather than them wearing her.

  “I have to admit, you do own those bad bitches,” Amber laughed, referring to Blue’s sexy boots. “Hey, can I drive?”

  “Hell, no. You’ll find out soon enough that I like being in control too much for that shit.”

  Amber followed behind her, so she missed the slow, mischievous smile that had settled on Blue’s face.

  Chapter Twenty Four

  King leaned over to check Harley’s phone when the text notification went off.

  “So damn nosey. Give me my phone, baby,” she yawned as she reached out her hand and wiggled her fingers.

  King ignored her as he typed in her password and read the text from a private number.

  Mind your own business bitch! Or you’ll regret it!

  King could feel his blood boil. He took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose.

  She rolled over toward him and raised up on an elbow. “King, tell me. What. Is. It?”

  “It’s a death threat. On your fucking cell phone,” he said flatly as he handed her the phone. His temper flared even hotter as he took in the look of fear that crossed her face.

  King’s primitive protective instincts began surging through his veins, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. He knew it wouldn’t go away until he dealt with whoever was threatening his woman. He needed to somehow set his anger aside so he could come up with an effective game plan.

  “I know it’s late but we can’t put this off until tomorrow. We’ve got to talk about who you think this could be.”

  Harley yawned, “Oh, I already know who it is. It’s the wife-beating dick wad from the hospital. Bobby Brooks. He beat the hell out of his wife and now she’s in the hospital. I gave her one of my business cards and told her if she needed help I could put her in touch with an agency that would help her and her kids. I don’t think he appreciated my interest.”

  King’s nostrils flared and his jaw ticked as he took a frustrated, steadying breath. “And you didn’t tell me about this because…?”

  “I’m a nurse, King, I don’t see people when they’re at their best. By the time they get to me, they’re in crisis and, yeah, some people don’t handle it well. I’m not going to run home and tell you about everyone who looks at me mean, King. I’m a big girl.”

  He leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. “I really don’t get it. How can a man be so angry at his woman and yet respect her for her way of thinking? Listen, I get that you’re used to fighting your own battles, but the rules have changed. You’re in a different game now. Things that seem like they’re no big deal could get you killed. Everything matters.”

  “This guy is probably like any other bully -- all talk and no action. I already know he’s a coward because he beats his wife. He probably wouldn’t have the balls to fight a real man.”

  King endeavored to be patient and listen to her perspective on the situation. Then he told her the way it was going to be. “When you don’t tell me details, it isn’t just your life in danger. You’re endangering me and everyone I work for. If you don’t remember anything else, always remember that details matter, even the smallest of them.”

  “Oh. I’ve never looked at things that way. It’s always been just me.” She leaned over and kissed him. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” She gave him a soft smile. “I don’t need you to kill the big bad bully for me, but I know you’ll do what you need to do.” He cut his eyes at her but said nothing as she continued. “But whatever you think you need to do, I don’t want to know anything about it. What I don’t know, I can’t tell.”

  “Yeah, right. Baby--”

  “Well, if you’re done interrogating me, I’m going back to sleep.” She rolled over, burrowing into the mattress and pulling the sheets up to her chin.

/>   “Darlin’, you don’t know what an interrogation is.” King’s husky whisper tickled the shell of her ear even as he slid in behind her and reached around to cup a breast. There was more to this man than met the eye, and she was looking forward to peeling back every sexy layer.

  Chapter Twenty Five

  The streets of Louisville were alive with more activity than usual. You could always count on the regulars being out and about, but tonight the atmosphere seemed to hum with a strange, restless energy.

  As they drove along, Amber reveled in the thrum of excitement coursing through her body. She welcomed the new brand of adventure Blue had brought into her life. They were on a mission to save a life tonight and she felt powerful because no one knew what they were up to.

  “You better be careful or you might start enjoying a little chaos here and there,” Blue said, finding it all too easy to know what her partner in crime was thinking.

  Amber looked over at Blue’s darkened profile in the driver’s seat. The dim streetlights cast ominous shadows on her face. “When did you start reading minds?”

  “Goes with the territory, I guess. Just make sure you get your adrenaline fix from me and not anywhere else. I’d hate to have put a bullet in your brain. I’ve gotten somewhat attached to you.”

  “Stop playing like that. It isn’t funny.”

  Blue’s head slowly turned in her direction to meet her eyes with an even gaze that showed no emotion. “Who’s playing? It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve ever had to kill someone I had feelings for.”

  Amber swallowed hard and forced a smile. “Well, I plan on growing on you so much, you’ll never be able to put a bullet in my brain. So there.”