What Lola Wants (London Dolls Book 1)

by Kenrick, JoAnne

  “Okay, I’m out for the evening, guys. If I’m not back before midnight, no need to call for help. I just got lucky!” Jane hollered then slammed the door behind her.

  So, it was just him and Lola home now.

  He threw on a clean shirt and strode to the open layout kitchen to make himself a coffee. A very strong coffee.

  He glanced over to Lola, snuggled on the sofa under a blanket.

  Loose strands of hair fell across her face. She puffed them away and called, “Hey, there. Whatcha doing?” A smile so wide it twinkled through her gaze. She leapt from under the covers, revealing lemon-colored pajamas that hung loose and disguised all her dips and curves. One zip stood in the way of her baring all. One very long zip. He bit down on his fist. Those baggy clothes were the sexiest thing he’d ever seen her wear.

  “You’re in pajamas already?” He cursed at how hot she looked. Perhaps the all-in-one was dynamite because he hoped she was naked beneath it. He didn’t know. Didn’t care. He had to get her out of it.

  “They’re so comfy, and it’s not like I’m going anywhere.” She skipped to his side, cupped his hands, and weaved her fingers between his. “How was your day?” she whispered. Lured in by her moist pout and fluttering lashes, he wanted—no, needed—to kiss her.

  A tilt of her head and she leaned toward him. Before his mouth reached hers, the buzz of a mobile phone vibrated from her bag on the kitchen counter. She reached behind him and pulled out her mobile. A glance at the screen and her face paled.

  “Who is it?” he asked.

  She tapped her index finger on the screen. “No one important.”

  “It’s Al, isn’t it?”

  “Uh, yeah. I don’t know how he got my new number, though.” She stared at her phone for several seconds before tossing the device into the bin. “I’ll get another pay-as-you-go tomorrow so he can’t contact me.”

  Rubbing her shoulder, he softened his tone. “You should focus on finding something to help take your mind off everything? A gig perhaps?”

  “Ah, yeah. I forgot about the mess I’m in for a minute there. It’s you.” She stuck out her bottom lip.

  Adorable.

  He balled his hands, straining to make like she had no effect on him or his dick, and asked, “What’s me?”

  “You make everything else unimportant and fade into nothingness. Forget it. I’m being silly.”

  “No, continue.” He perched on one of the four barstools and crossed his arms, beating his fingers against his biceps. “Tell me, what effect do I have on you?”

  “You bring out the best in me, make it seem as if anything is possible. The way you look at me...” She moved closer and stroked his arm. “The glint in your blues. The way you worry about me and seem to care what happens to me.”

  “That’s because I do.”

  She reached around his neck. “You make me believe I can be Lola and not Louisa, a prissy puppet ballerina.”

  “Lola, I–”

  “And I’m not happy about this taking it slow crap. In fact, the whole idea is driving me insane.”

  “Lola–”

  “I mean it.”

  “Lola, you are beautiful and wonderful and never this prissy Louisa you talk of. Never see yourself like that again. Please.”

  She sighed. “When I’m with you, I feel like I can conquer the world.” A tear trickled down her soft peach cheek.

  Using the pad of his thumb, he wiped away the moisture.

  “I’m jobless. I went to four producers today, and no one hired me.”

  “You are the best dancer in London. Their loss.” He cupped her face in his hands and tilted her head so she had no choice but to meet his gaze.

  “I’m sure they expected me. A few of them even had a Royal Ballet program with me on the cover on their desk, alongside a callout sheet for chorus girls. They couldn’t have been more obvious.”

  “So, you’ll try again tomorrow.”

  “No, you don’t get it. I gave up when the fourth one dished the truth about why he refused to hire me. I’m not chorus material. That’s what he said. Al told everyone I’ve got a banged-up knee, and that I’m difficult when it comes to taking direction. As an award-winning choreographer with The Royal Ballet, he has clout in the business. I give up. I should have trusted my gut and given up the stage instead of chasing after dance dreams.”

  “No, don’t give up. Tell them the truth. They’ll believe you. Better yet, give me the prick’s number and I’ll sort him out.”

  Her phone buzzed in the bin.

  She glanced toward the device.

  “Is it him? Can I answer it?” he growled.

  “I thought I’d turned the stupid thing off.”

  “Is it him?”

  The device continued to vibrate, the thrumming rubbing at his last nerve.

  “It’s sweet you want to protect me, Dennis, but getting you involved will just make things worse.” She reached to answer it.

  “Whoever is trying to get hold of you, it doesn’t seem as if they’re going to give up.” He nudged her to the left and retrieved her phone. “Hello?”

  “May we speak to Miss Lone please?”

  “Who’s asking?”

  “Detective Henry Jones. I have information about a private matter. Is she available?”

  He passed the phone to her. “It’s the police.”

  “Hello?” Her voice wobbled. “Oh.” She paced the kitchen while making an occasional “uh-huh” sound before finally slumping on the sofa. He followed in her wake, trying to gauge if the news was good or bad. “Yes. Fine, I’ll come to the station in the morning. Thank you.”

  She ended the call, her expression blank.

  “What did he say?” Sitting beside her, he rested his arm over her shoulder. “Remember, I’m here for you, no matter what you need.”

  Stilling her legs with her hand, she blew out a long breath then kicked her mouth into a smile. “Al had my replacement dancer empty my bank account. They caught everything on security camera so she confessed. They want me down at the station to ID her and fill out more forms.”

  “And you’ll get your money back?”

  “It was Al,” she repeated. “Al took my money.”

  “Will you get it back?”

  “Eventually. She still has it, apparently, every last pound.”

  “That’s great.”

  “They want to hear about my relationship with him, said it’d help with the case.”

  “I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

  “There’s a warrant out for his arrest because of what the dancer told them about him being aggressive and bent on getting me back. They hinted that he may track me down, and they warned me to be extra careful. I shouldn’t be alone until they have him in custody. Something about a restraining order, too.”

  “Is there anything we can do in the meantime?”

  “I deleted all his nutty texts, but I do have one of his threatening notes. They want to see it.”

  “Then let’s get that to this Henry Jones chap.”

  “Totally.”

  “Consider me your personal bodyguard. Al won’t dare come near you if I can help it.” He flexed his muscles and growled.

  She chuckled. “My hero.”

  “You know it.”

  Hoisting a leg over him, she shimmied across the sofa, eased onto his knee, and straddled him. “At least I’ll be getting my money back.”

  He threw his arms out, unsure how to respond to Lola sitting on his lap. His dick sure knew how to respond, though. Quickly, that’s how. “Perhaps you won’t need me anymore when Al is caught. You’ll go back to the company and I’ll be history.”

  “Hey, I’ll always need you. Always.”

  “Really?” His heart skipped a beat.

  “Yes.” She writhed over his throbbing length with a sparkle in her eyes that ignited millions of memories he shared with her. Damn it.

  “Are you kidding me? Dennis, money or not, and balle
t or not, I need you. More than ever.” She shifted on his knee, wiggling her arse and positioning herself right on his crotch. “I’ve always needed you.”

  “Goddamn it, Lola, do you know what you’re doing to me?”

  “Yes. I know.”

  “Stop it,” he growled.

  She shook her head. “Without your help, I’d have failed my GCSEs and A Levels. And I might have stayed in town, and now be married to a fisherman and taking care of my drunken mother. Instead, here I am, an ex-prima ballerina sitting in your lap waiting for a kiss.”

  “Lola.” He shuffled beneath her, shifting his weight to try to relieve the pressure of his hard-on. “Are we ready for this? For us?”

  “I was wrong to have treated you the way I did. Let me make it up to you, let me show you how much you mean to me.” She launched at him and mushed her lips to his, explored him with her velvet tongue, and slithered her lower body over his groin.

  Grabbing her shoulders, he held her back. “Before we take this any further, before I become engulfed in the Lola whirlwind, please, tell me truthfully, why did you leave?”

  “I’ve already told you, Dennis. You would have been a distraction,” she rasped in a low breath, her words choppy.

  “I will never keep you from your dreams.” He cupped her face, forcing her to catch his stare. “Ever.”

  “I know, but if I’d have allowed myself to fall in love with you, I’d have lost myself in you. Like I’m doing now.”

  “Is that so bad?” He thumbed the zip of her top.

  “Not at all, it’s pretty amazing actually. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.” She swept her tongue over his lips before kissing him with a hunger matching his own.

  Fevered with need, he grabbed her waist and pushed her farther down on him. Passion exploded, the heat between them electrifying. She clawed at his shirt, her fingers tangling as she unbuttoned the garment. He yanked at her pajamas, opening the top and discarding it to the side. Inching his hands inside the terry cloth of her pants with one hand, he cupped her breast with the other and brushed a thumb over her nipple. She shivered, and her buds pebbled under his touch and beckoned him to taste her. His groin twitched, and blind need took him over.

  He dipped and took a hardened nub into his mouth while sliding his hand into her knickers. Her mound was moist and slick, and so warm.

  Arching, she pushed against his hand and uncoiled his defenses, his resistance long forgotten.

  “Taking it slow is for pussies.” He lifted her off and stood to unbuckle his belt. Stripped in a jiffy, he then reached for the condom he kept in his wallet and rolled on the latex.

  “Agreed, so what are you waiting for?” she teased, slipping out of her lemon-colored clothing to reveal her nakedness.

  “Nothing.” He sat and lifted her onto his throbbing spear, her heat taking him inch by inch. Sweet nirvana, her moist warmth swallowed him all the way to the base. So deep. So welcoming.

  “I’ve dreamt about what you’d feel like inside me for so long.” She rotated her hips and moved to her own rhythm. “And how I imagined it was nothing like this, it doesn’t even compare.”

  Up and down, around in a circle. Down. Down. Up and down, around in a circle, her boobs bobbing with the motion.

  “You fit me perfectly,” she whispered with a quivering voice. “I feel complete.”

  Grabbing her soft, plump arse, he rammed her closer into him and nuzzled her neck.

  “Shush,” he demanded, hushing her sweet words. “Or I’ll fill this condom too soon.”

  A creak caught her attention, and then another and another as if someone had entered the flat.

  She pulled back. “Did you hear that?”

  “Probably just this old building moaning with age.”

  The sounds of a door slamming jolted her upright.

  “Don’t worry, it’s the next-door neighbor. He likes to slam doors. It’s fine. Trust me.”

  “I don’t think it is.” She rambled off a list of fears, “What if I left the door unlocked? What if it’s Al? He got my number for the new phone, so maybe he’s following me? Am I being paranoid?”

  “He really did a number on you, huh?” Brushing back her hair, he shook his head. “It’s okay. He couldn’t be in the building without the key code or being buzzed through. Probably just the neighbor, like I said.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Positive. And besides,” he nibbled on her lobe, “I’m thinking you could kick any man down if needed. You’ve done it to me in the past.”

  Her mouth kicked into a grin. “Yes, I remember. You were playing keepsies and wouldn’t give me my Kylie Minogue CD back.”

  He swirled her onto her back. “There you go, just make like he stole your favorite CD and you’ll be fine. Not so sure he’ll survive, but all’s fair in love and…obsession.”

  “See, this is why you make me feel better. You always know just what to say.”

  “And do, I hope.” He lay atop her, his feet wedged against the arm of the sofa, and nudged between her legs to slide into her warmth. Her skin rubbed against his, her moans brushing his ears, her sweet aroma of arousal seeping into his nostrils. It wouldn’t be long. His balls tightened, and his pulse raced thick and fast to his groin. He hurt with need to spurt his seed. To have her kiss him as he released, and to have her whisper that she loved him. Oh, how much he wanted that.

  Bucking and slithering beneath him, she cried out and her warmth fluttered over him.

  “Oh, Dennis,” she cried.

  Faster. Harder. He was so close.

  Cupping his face, she slowed his movement with her hips and guided him to a gentle rhythm of in and out while exploring his mouth with her velvet tongue.

  Slowly withdrawing then plunging back into her searing heat, he moaned.

  “Easy, baby. Nice and easy.” She wrapped her legs over his bum and pushed against him, the sudden movement triggering his explosion. Hard, fast droves of his liquid filled the condom, and the walls of her tunnel vibrated around his length.

  Had she come again?

  He glanced at her. Eyes closed, mouth rounded, breath erratic. Beautiful.

  “Hmm, delicious,” she whispered, squeezing her limbs to trap him atop her. He didn’t want to escape her toned-leg jail. Instead, he buried his head into her sweet-smelling hair and smiled, for he was a step closer to those three little words he had longed to hear from her lips since their impromptu kiss goodbye.

  A creak in the floorboards by the entrance drew his glare to the door.

  “The front door is ajar. Someone’s been here.” Eyes wide, she sat.

  “Don’t worry.” He eased her back with a kiss, resentful of the interruption. “I’ll go check it out.”

  “What if Al found a way in?”

  “Hey, it’s okay. I bet Jane walked in on us then sneaked out to give us private time when she saw what we were doing.”

  “You’re probably right,” she sighed. “But could you check anyway?”

  “Sure.” He climbed off her, disposed of the filled latex covering, and slipped into his pants before checking the hallway. “There’s no one here.” He locked the door then curled up with his Lola on the sofa. A warmth took hold. “Don’t you worry. I’d die to keep you from danger.”

  “Don’t do that. I’d miss you.”

  Chapter Seven

  She’d slept wrapped in his arms in the guest bed she’d claimed as hers for a little while, and had the best night’s sleep until she woke around three o’clock with a sense of dread.

  Dennis had noted her fear and quickly spooned her, whispering calming words. Perhaps in his sleep, but she appreciated the sentiment and snuggled into him.

  Al may be possessive and greedy, but he wasn’t a total loony tune. He wouldn’t actually hurt her. And then she realized how wrong she was. Al would hurt her. He already had, on several occasions. Sure, it was usually with the intent to control, but he’d proven his aggressive nature.

  She talked ab
out her concerns over morning coffee, and Dennis was not pleased.

  “Maybe I should call in sick today, stay here in case he shows up,” Dennis offered, clearing away the breakfast dishes.

  “Damn, I wish I hadn’t said anything now. I’ll be fine, Dennis. Jane’s not working today. We’ll do a girl’s day. We’ll stay in and catch up, okay?” she pleaded, hoping he wouldn’t miss his scheduled classes for her.

  “I’m only going at your insistence,” Dennis hissed. “You keep a phone with you at all times if you do go out, and stick together.”

  “Got it.” She kissed his cheek and joked, “Have a good day, dear.”

  He snorted and grabbed his briefcase. “You be sure to have my drink poured when I get home, and the house clean and tidy.”

  She winked. “Absolutely.”

  As soon as he left, Jane bounced out of her bedroom and squealed. “Manicures and cakes. Celebrity gossip, followed by, of course, dance. Are you in?”

  “Heck yes, I’m in.”

  Hours passed by quickly, and they got caught up with the latest goings on of their old school friends. They’d beautified themselves, whilst still wearing their comfy sleepwear, and watched Grease then Grease 2.

  The musicals led to impromptu singing and dancing, which then led to a burlesque lesson somehow.

  Louisa wasn’t sure how or even if she’d agreed, she only knew there was no escaping Jane once she had an idea in her head.

  “Bound to happen,” Louisa placed her empty mug on Jane’s kitchen counter and rolled up her sleeves.

  “What was?” Jane shrugged and lifted a brow.

  “Wearing PJs while learning the art of striptease, it’s so…so…Jane.”

  “Call it a re-bonding of our friendship through dance.”

  “Uh-huh. You say it’s for fun, but I’m not stupid, I know you’re prepping me so I’ll be a London Doll. I know you.”

  “As if I’d do that?” She fluttered her eyelashes. “Now, move your hips side to side.” Jane demonstrated the sensual movement again with her toes pointed, and her stare low and seductive. “This is all about me being a good friend. Someone has to get you out of your ‘I have a crazy ex’ funk.”