He lit me up so fast. So well. As he chanted my name, I was near the point of no return. I just needed a little more to tip me over the edge. He told me to let him know what I liked, but with my arms pinned, I couldn’t show him.
“Dizzy, kiss me, please.”
His sexy mouth answered my plea, his tongue plunging between my lips in and out as fast as he was fucking me. I crested the wave again, hot pleasure flooding my body. Stars burst behind my eyelids. He pounded once, twice, and three times in rapid succession then groaned, collapsing heavily on top of me, releasing my hands as he released inside of me.
Blissfully limp, deliciously sated, I started to reach for him, but paused once more for permission. “May I touch your back?”
He grunted his consent. So I wrapped my arms around his damp muscular body and hugged him tightly, pretending that he truly belonged to me.
I was so fucked. Literally and figuratively. Because though I knew it was impossible, I wanted to stay like this in his arms forever.
My phone was a gong that brought me crashing back to reality. Dizzy rolled off me and handed me my jeans. I pulled my cell out, exhaling with relief that it was neither my mother nor James.
“Hello.”
“Where are you, darling”?” My boss’ gruff voice barked in my ear.
Shit.
I scrambled off the bed and tried to get my legs in my jeans without falling over while heading toward the bathroom. “I’m sorry, Tan,” I told him. “I’m running a little late.”
Dizzy stalked after me, his amber eyes intent, in all his naked glory. He grabbed me, pulled me into him, and nibbled on my neck. “Can you cover for me?” I asked Tan distractedly. “Just for a few minutes?”
I tried to shrug out of Dizzy’s grasp so I could get a quick shower before I lost my job.
Strong hands clasping my upper arms, he gave me a quick but devastating kiss. “I’ll take you in the Panamera. I’ll bring it up to the front circle. It won’t take me any time to get you there. No worries, babe.”
True to his word, Dizzy was waiting in the driver’s seat when I came downstairs a short time later. The valet held the passenger door open and as soon as I had my seat belt on, he took off. He steered the Panamera through traffic like we were in a Grand Prix race.
When I commented on his driving prowess, Dizzy grinned. “A car like this demands to be driven.”
“It’s pretty sweet. It’s a V8, isn’t it?”
He turned to look at me, brow raised. “You know cars, too?”
“Yeah,” I admitted. “George has always loved them. He has a ’96 Chevy Impala SS. It’s very responsive.”
He eyed me for a long moment. “You know I really wanna give you another ride right now?”
I laughed, feeling carefree for the first time, in…well…years. “You just had me, Rhythm Man,” I reminded him.
“Not enough.” His hand brushed against mine on the center console. I shivered. Just. From. That. “Planning on remedying that real soon, I promise you.”
Coasting on a Panamera high, I entered the Mine through the employee door smiling widely with Dizzy trailing behind me. He hooked his fingers in my belt loops and pulled me backward.
“I’ll see you later.” He kissed a spot below my ear.
My lips curled as delicious warmth flowed through me, but I froze, my smile faltering when I turned the corner and ran smack into my boss. I threw a guilty glance over my shoulder.
“Hey, Tan” Dizzy dipped his head scooting past us as if nothing were out of the ordinary.
When I turned back to Tan, he gave me a look that told me he hadn’t been fooled. “Sorry I’m late,” I mumbled, cheeks flushing as I headed straight to the storage room to grab an apron.
It was Saturday night, and we were crushed, but I didn’t mind. I’d never had more fun at work in my life, despite all the shit hovering over me. Dizzy stuck around, but he didn’t smother me, giving me my space. He played pool for a while. He danced a little, but even out on the floor, his eyes remained on me.
About midway through the night, Bridget and King showed up. The hulking drummer cleared a path for her through the crowd in front of the bar. He glared at the guy I’d just served a rum and coke, “Drink up, pendejo. The lady needs your chair.”
The guy took one look at King and made his drink a shooter. “It’s all hers.” He nodded to King as he vacated his seat.
“Hi.” Bridget climbed up onto the stool and put her elbows up on the bar.
“Hi back.” I smiled at both of them. “That was smooth,” I told King. “I’ve never seen anyone leave a seat on Saturday night so fast. Drumming. Rapping. Acts of chivalry. I didn’t know you had so many talents.”
“You have no idea, mujer.”
“What can I get for you two?” I asked while working on an order.
“Oh, nothing.” Bridget shifted in her seat. “I just wanted to stop in and check on you. King was coming over anyway and Justin’s watching Carter for me,” she rambled. It was cute. “I wanted to find out how your dad is doing.”
Whoa. Another one like Avery who seemed genuine and sincere and whose actions proved it. “Not well,” I confided as I added the last beer to an order. “It’s a waiting game now. A long goodbye that’s about to end. It’s hard to let him go though,” I admitted finding I didn’t mind sharing with this woman whose light blue eyes seemed to say she understood.
“I’m so sorry.” Her face softened more, and she grabbed my hand and squeezed. “I lost my Meemaw recently. It was very hard on Carter and me. It’s still hard.” She tucked a long platinum lock behind her ear, and I could see her throat moving as she swallowed. “Like I said. If there’s anything Justin and I can do. We wanna help.”
King had been silent, but I could tell he’d been listening intently to our conversation. “I know what it’s like to lose someone close to you, too.” For once the handsome drummer’s eyes were absent their usual humor.
“Oh?” I asked, setting up a shot glass and pouring the Maestro Dobel he preferred into it. Bartender’s instinct. I had a feeling he was going to need it.
“Might wanna pour yourself one, too.” A shadow crossed his face. He gave Bridget a side glance. “You too, mija.”
“No thanks.” She shook her head, but touched his clenched hand as if to encourage him to continue.
“My older brother Adrian.” He tipped his head back and swallowed the drink. “He got messed up with drugs, involved with the wrong people. He started to deal, in La Raca Prima, a pretty rough gang from our old neighborhood. They made a lot of enemies. Adrian died taking a hit meant for his Jefe.”
“I’m sorry,” Bridget and I said at the same time.
King’s eyes refocused. He reached for the second shot I’d automatically refilled and threw it back.
“Need another?” I asked him holding up a finger to the woman down the bar who was trying to get my attention.
“No. I’m good.” He bumped a fist over the left side of his chest. “I keep mi carnal in here. Everywhere I go, he’s always with me. Adrian was a happy guy. Always smiling. Always making others laugh. ‘Life’s too short to be hung up on shit,’ he always told me, and he was right. I try to remember that most of the time.” King dipped his chin making eye contact and his point with me and Bridget. “You both should too. Comprende?”
Because nothing in my life since I’d hooked up with James had gone the way I’d wanted, I decided to take King’s advice to heart and savor every single drop of happiness with Dizzy. I was going to drink deeply from the cup of my good fortune so that I’d have reserves to draw upon later. I knew what we were sharing now was too good to last.
If I’d only known how suddenly it would all spill away.
“You don’t have to do this,” she told me as she ducked into my car.
“Yes I do.” I squeezed her hand because I could now and because I had to. It’d been hours since I touched her and that was just too damn long.
“Alright.
” She gave me a grateful smile, settling back into her seat and removing the mask she’d worn at work to hide her stress.
“What’d Bridget and King say to you?”
“She wanted to offer her sympathy. She’s so thoughtful.”
“My sister’s fond of her as well. But what about King?”
She glanced over at me, her expression so serious I guessed though I could barely believe it. “He told me what happened to this brother.”
King rarely mentioned Adrian. I suspected that his death was the reason King had so much anger beneath his devil-may-care exterior. Not once to my knowledge had he ever shared that stuff with anyone outside our tight circle. Seemed my sweet bartender was working her way into more hearts than just mine.
“You sure you remember the way to the hospital?” she asked me through a sleepy yawn.
“Yeah, babe. I think I can manage. Why don’t you close your eyes for a minute? I’ll wake you when we get there. Promise.”
“I like your promises, Dizzy Lowell.”
“I like you, April Reynolds.” I brought her hand to my lips, kissing her knuckles then trailing my nose along her softly scented skin up to her elbow. “Close your eyes. Don’t give me that all come take me look or I’ll have to pull over and be your back seat rhythm man. You get me?”
“I get you.” She gave me a flirty smile that turned comical when she yawned in the middle of it. She closed her eyes and leaned her head against the glass. Before I hit the next light, she was out of it. Her lips parted, her breathing soft and steady. She looked so peaceful, the lines of worry washed away in her slumber.
I drove slowly hoping to give her more rest, but after the second time around the hospital, I reluctantly pulled into the drive. I exited the car quietly handing the keys to the valet and opened her door. Her head fell forward and her eyes popped open, her gaze a little dazed.
“Morning Sunshine.” I swept the round of her smooth cheek with my ringed thumb. “Need me to carry you in?” I grinned. “I don’t mind.”
“No. No.” She unlatched her seat belt and scrambled out of the car. She swayed, but I caught her. She held onto my forearms for a moment. “I’m ok,” she insisted releasing me. “You don’t have to come in. I just promised my mom I’d stay with him until she comes back with my brothers in the morning.”
“That’s fine, but I’m coming with you.” I silenced the protest I saw coming with a rough kiss. She struggled at first worried someone would see us I’m sure, but I didn’t care. It didn’t matter anymore. She was mine, and I was going to keep her. She just hadn’t come to that realization yet.
When I ended the kiss her fingers were fisted in my shirt. “Save some for later, babe,” I teased, dropping a quick kiss on the top of her head. “For now, we stick together, no more protests.”
She tucked herself into my side as we walked into the building, and my satisfaction surged even higher when she put her arms around my waist. It still amazed me the way her touch made me feel. She was my sweet remedy, the first dose of the cure to my nightmare past.
As soon as we stepped into George’s room, she went to his side. My chest grew tight as I stood in the doorway and watched her shower affection on a man who no longer felt it. She stroked his hair, kissed his forehead, hugging him tightly against her.
I moved behind her and placed my hands on her shoulders in support of her. She spun around and flung herself at me. “Oh, babe.” I wrapped my arms around her when I saw the deep sorrow etching her face. “I’m so sorry.” She burrowed into me. The way that made me feel was indescribable. I wouldn’t have moved whether we stood like that for five minutes or a lifetime.
Eventually, she stirred, leaning back, wiping at her cheeks, and mumbling an apology for falling apart. She looked more dead on her feet now than she’d looked after her shift. I noticed a convertible chair in the corner that had a pillow, a folded blanket, and a pair of pajamas on it. “You need to get some rest while you can,” I told her. “Go into the bathroom and get outta your clothes and put these on.” I handed her the pj’s and gently nudged her toward the door. “You’ll be more comfortable,” I added when she looked as if she was about to argue.
She nodded, and I patted her on the rear to get her moving. When she came out, I had the fold out bed all set up. Her hair was down. She looked so cute I could hardly resist her.
I crawled in first and held out the covers. She scooted in. I drew her into my side. I’m sure she could feel my hard on pressed against her ass, but that was just something we’d both have to ignore. I’m sure the ICU nurses had seen it all before, but for once in my unprincipled life I decided to let discretion rule.
A shake and a familiar voice hissing my name woke me. I cracked open my eyes to find my mother staring down at me with a shocked expression on her face. I came instantly awake though my body still wanted to snuggle back up with the warm man beside me.
“Mom,” I whispered suddenly realizing how Dizzy and I must have looked together. Exactly like it was, but my explanation got stuck in my throat when I noticed my brothers standing in the doorway. “Can you give me a minute to get dressed?” I pleaded with my eyes, my voice low.
She nodded, and I slid out of our bed carefully to avoid waking Dizzy as I got dressed and prepared to face the maternal tempest. The moment I stepped out into the hall, she laid into me. “Ok, daughter, tell me right now, have you lost your ever loving mind? What if James had come back early? What if it’d been him just now and not me?”
My stomach knotted. I hadn’t even thought about that possibility last night. I had been so tired and so wrapped up in Dizzy that James hadn’t even crossed my mind. “Where are John and Michael?” I asked as her eyes continued to flash green and brown flecked fire.
“In the waiting area around the corner. Quit stalling and explain.”
“It’s not what you think,” I began, but she interrupted.
“Really?” She gave me the same disbelieving look she’d given me when I’d told her my Barbie dolls had dyed their own hair purple. The lie shriveled up on my tongue.
“Ok. Yes it is.” I paused to pull in a breath. “You were right about me and James. Things aren’t going well. They haven’t been right for a long time.”
“Perhaps because you’re having an affair?” She gestured behind me. Her eyes were unyielding, but though there were words I could say to explain it, I just couldn’t speak them.
“That’s not it. James doesn’t know. And Dizzy’s a good man.” And that was a truth that felt right coming from my lips despite her continued skepticism. “He’s more than the tattoos and piercings, Mom. He’s gentle with me. Considerate and supportive. But he…we…” My eyes filled. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you. My life is such a mess. I know yours is, too. I don’t want to make things awkward. I needed him last night. He insisted on staying. But please, you can’t say anything to James.”
“Why not? Surely you’re not planning on staying with your husband and sleeping with this man on the side? I know you, April. That’s not the kind of woman I raised you to be. The kind of woman you are. You didn’t just suddenly morph into someone else overnight.” Her eyes narrowed. “What are you not telling me? Why are you always so jumpy when James is around?” I could see her putting the pieces together and coming to the right conclusion. “Is he abusing you?”
I looked away, ashamed to confirm it and afraid she’d see the lie if I denied it.
“Why won’t you talk to me anymore?” She sounded so sad. “I don’t like it when you keep things from me.”
Suddenly the door behind me popped open. The smell of mint preceded the warm arms that enveloped me. Relieved for the interruption, I melted into him. My mom’s eyes widened.
“Mrs. Barrie,” my rhythm man acknowledged in a velvety rumble.
“Dizzy,” she returned frostily. It made me sad to see her freeze him out. I was certain under different circumstances she would’ve liked him as much as I did. If only I could tell her the truth,
but I couldn’t risk it. I knew my mother. She would take on a ship full of armed Somalian pirates if she thought I was in danger. But she wouldn’t win against James, and there was no way he was letting me go.
We stayed at the hospital until after my mom got settled. The doctor confirmed the obvious, there’d been no change. George was completely unresponsive. The day to day watch would continue with my mother and me sharing turns at his bedpost.
Dizzy put his hand on my lower back as we exited the building. I didn’t make a fuss. I liked his hand there, warm and possessive. And my mom’s words were a grim reminder that too soon James would return. Soon I’d have to let him go for good.
“Where to?” he asked after we’d buckled our seat belts.
“My place, please. I need to pick up some clean clothes,” I explained. “If you still want to spend time together?”
“No one I’d like to be with more,” he replied, giving me an intense look that verified his words.
Once we got to my apartment, I moved around quickly gathering up what I thought I would need. I could feel the negative energy rolling off of Dizzy in waves as he waited, his arms folded over his chest, standing deadly still in the center of my living room. His gaze remained fixated on the wall of pictures between my living room and the hallway.
“I’m ready now,” I whispered touching his arm lightly while throwing my backpack over my shoulder.
He slid it off, insisting on carrying it for me, but though solicitous he was quiet on the drive back to his place and wouldn’t talk to me about whatever was obviously bothering him. I gave up trying after a couple of failed attempts. His brusque manner hurt my feelings.
We had so little time. The clock was running out, and when it did, I’d lose. My stepfather and Dizzy. I regretted the stop. I regretted anything that upset the balance of the fragile world we’d created for ourselves. I wished that I had just stayed in the clothes I’d been wearing since yesterday.
Relentless Rhythm (Tempest #4) Page 17