by Geri Krotow
“But I knew. Grandma Ezzie told me, and I didn’t know how to deal with it.” It had been December, final exam time. And she’d been in over her head with the boyfriend who’d manipulated and verbally abused her to the point she believed she couldn’t make her own decisions. He’d been so attractive at first, his famous artist family luring her into thinking he was creative and loving, too. Until he started demanding to know everywhere she went, who she was with. When he tried to convince her to drop out of college so she could be with him all the time, she woke up and told him she was done. She’d been lucky to escape his angry, violent outburst with a split lip and bruised pride. With time and a very good counselor, she’d healed from the shame of the abusive relationship.
“Let it go, Annie.” They were inches apart, the aroma of garlic and tomato sauce adding a warmth of familiarity that she’d missed. Looking up at Josh, the years melted away as did all the hurts, all the hard life lessons. It was just them and it could have been fifteen years ago, with big textbooks on the table waiting for them to finish their homework as they learned how to flirt over a cup of hot cocoa.
“Are you two going to kiss?” Becky’s voice was loud, insistent and completely sincere.
Annie jumped back and left the answer to Josh. She had garlic bread to get into the oven.
* * *
They had a lively meal of spaghetti, meatballs, salad and garlic bread while Becky told Annie all about the new place she was going to move into.
“You’ve signed the papers?” she asked Josh as Annie cleared the table with the promise of dessert as her reward.
He nodded. “Yes. Thank you again for coming with me today.”
She shrugged. “You would have come to the same conclusion. It’s a great place for anyone, and Becky will love it.”
Becky came back into the dining room with a plate of the cookies Annie had brought. “What will I love, Annie?”
“Your new apartment. At Upward Homes.”
Becky nodded. “I can live independently there. My friend Melissa lives there and I love visiting her. Our apartments are going to be close to each other’s.”
Annie couldn’t help but laugh. “Becky, you’re independent no matter what. Tell me about your job.”
“It’s so cool! I’m in charge of the children’s clothing.” Becky went on to describe how she worked each day at a community thrift shop. “When I move into my new place, I’ll be able to have more fun at night. They have games and everything.”
Annie’s skin felt on fire, and she looked for the cause. Josh was looking at her with very hot intention in his brown eyes. She tried to frown at him, to discourage his silent flirting, but who was she kidding? She wanted him more than she ever had. Except, it wasn’t going to happen. Not tonight, anyway, with Becky here.
“Becky, it’s time to get ready for bed.”
“Can I watch television for an hour?” Becky was on familiar territory.
“One hour. Then bed.”
“Is Tonya still coming over?”
Annie had no idea who Tonya was but found out when Becky went to change into her pajamas.
“I hope it’s not presumptuous that I made arrangements for us to have some time alone. Becky’s sitter was available, and I can’t wait any longer, Annie.” Josh’s implication was clear. A thrill of awareness pooled in her belly and spread to her most private parts.
“Um, where exactly will we go?”
“I was hoping your place.”
* * *
Josh had seen all the signs from Annie and hoped, more like prayed, he hadn’t misinterpreted them. When her chest hitched high, emphasizing her delicious cleavage, he knew he’d hit pay dirt.
And he wanted Annie with all the intensity he’d ever felt for her coupled with his very adult needs. Needs he was beginning to think might only be filled by her.
As they slipped into the building where the yarn shop and her apartment were, he wanted to growl when she stopped to look at the shop’s front door. “That was quick.” The piece of stained glass that had been cracked by Valensky’s thug was replaced with a new, clear red pane. She allowed herself a moment of satisfaction at the criminal’s apprehension.
“Didn’t it have the shop name on it above the door?” He eyed where a solid piece of unfinished wood rested in the frame.
“Yes, but that’s an easy fix. I’ll have the painter come and do it this week.” She paused, as if she was thinking about going inside the shop instead of up the steps to her grandmother’s apartment. “I should probably go and see how the cash flow was today. The funds get deposited right away, but the system has the transactions stored.”
“Can’t it wait?” His words came out clipped, and he mentally smacked himself. He wanted to seduce Annie, not scare her away.
Her eyes were half-lidded and he knew she was turned on as he, but maybe a little nervous as she softly bit down on her full, plump lower lip.
His dick was so hard he swore it had a pulse of its own.
“What, Josh? Don’t you want to see the yarn?” Only after he counted to ten did he realize that she was teasing him.
“You have no mercy, woman.”
“Come on.” She turned and jogged up the steps, and he thought he’d died and was on the ladder to heaven with the full view of her hips she gave. She’d been so slim in high school, and the curves that had only made their debut then had matured into sheer feminine beauty.
She unlocked the door, and before it was closed behind them he placed his hands on either side of her face and met her lips with his. Annie’s reaction was instant and she opened her mouth fully to his exploration as she hooked her leg over his and tilted her pelvis against his erection. Her mouth was hot, wet and as insistent as his, meeting his tongue’s every stroke and thrust.
“Annie, where have you been?” He dragged his mouth from hers, reached to cup her breast through her T-shirt. She had a bra on, but thankfully it was pretty flimsy as he was able to skim her nipple with his thumb. Her groan was his crack, and he ground against her, grateful for the wall that was keeping them from collapsing on the floor and going at it like the teens they’d never be again.
“Josh, please don’t stop.” She leaned her head to the side to give him maximum access to her throat. When his tongue flicked under her ear and trailed down the satin skin, she groaned and reached for him. The pressure of her palm along his hard length, even under his jeans, made him worry he’d come right then and there.
“Your bedroom, Annie.”
“Come on.” She led him back into what he figured was the guest room, as it was pretty bare save for the queen-size bed in the middle. All he wanted was to be with her, inside her, making her come as hard and fast as he knew she would him.
“You first.” He helped her out of her top, and stopped. Annie had taken off her pants, but he wasn’t looking there, not yet. Her breasts were perfect, her skin glowing against the pale pink bra. “So beautiful.” He reached around her and unhooked her bra, earning a throaty laugh from her.
“You know what you’re doing.”
“You’ve no idea.” Still, his hands shook as he cupped first one, then the other breast. He savored the weight of them, the feel of her silky skin against his callused hands. Annie made sexy, needy sounds in her throat, and he bent over to suck first one nipple, then the other. He could feast on her all night.
Except his erection was to the painful point. Annie reached down and undid his jeans, shoving them away along with his briefs, and when her hand wrapped around his length, he almost came in her palm.
“Hell, Annie, you’ve got me so turned on.”
“I know, Josh.” She shoved on his shoulder, turned him around and pushed him onto the bed. “I can tell.” She flashed a grin before she bent over him, taking him into her mouth. She was naked, save for the matching pink thong that only emphasized t
he hot curves of her ass. He fought from drowning in the sensations of her tongue on him, the sucking sending him too close to release.
“Not yet, Annie.” He hauled her up his length and about died when her wet, warm center settled on the base of his erection. He pulled her head down to his and kissed her with desperation. And he was desperate—he had to be one with her. Inside her. No more fooling around like teens.
“My. Jeans. Back. Pocket.” He reached his arm out; he’d thrown his jeans on the bed on purpose. “Condom.”
“Shh. You’re getting yourself all worked up.” Her sexy talk wasn’t in her words but how her hot breath felt and vibrated next to his ear. “I’ve got plenty of my own.” She leaned over to the bedside table, leaving her breast in his direct line of sight. Josh was no fool—he suckled the nipple, a charge of pure electric need cutting through him. As his mouth worked her breast, he pushed her thong down. Out of the way of her beautiful femininity.
“Josh!” She was ready, too. He watched as Annie ripped a foil packet off a strip—good, she had plenty for later—and made a slow tease of sheathing him. “You are so hard.” She licked her lips and might have said more, but he couldn’t wait. Not this time. Not after all these years.
He thrust into her in one single motion, arching his hips to be able to sink to the hilt. Annie’s eyes widened, her lips open, as they shared what had to be the hottest sexual moment of his life.
“Okay?” He never wanted to hurt her.
“Incredible.” She closed her eyes and started to move, her hips taking them both where they needed to go.
* * *
Annie allowed her body time to adjust to Josh, his length filling her as she’d never been before. He took his time, allowing her to savor his width and heat inside her.
“Tell me what you like, Annie.” His words, whispered over her lips, made her feel desired. Josh wanted to please her above all else, and was willing to delay his satisfaction to do so.
She moved her hips in slow, deliberate motions, watching his pupils dilate as she encouraged him to start moving in, then out, then back fully inside her.
“I like it like this, Josh. Slow. Deep. Just you and me.” She spoke slowly, as if she still had control over her voice, when in fact she was on the verge of losing total control.
“Then that’s how we’ll do it.” She saw the sweat bead on his upper lip and licked it away.
“Am I torturing you?” She thrust her pelvis to meet his push, and the cascade of electric shocks their contact caused took her breath away. And still, she had yet to climax.
“Only in the best way.” He kissed her deeply as he entered her again, inch by inch, making her scream in his mouth in frustration.
“Josh.”
“Let go, Annie. Give me all you’ve got.”
She’d never let herself go completely with another man. With Josh, she knew she could. She trusted she could.
He licked her lips, teased her with his excruciatingly slow thrusts.
“Oh my gosh.” She bit into her lower lip, tried to hang on to sanity.
“Trust me, Annie. I’ve got you.”
At his words, something in her heart burst open and she let the warmth and passion move through her. She was one with her desire as she allowed her body to move in driving need against and with Josh’s. Her pelvis met his every thrust, and with each connection to her most private spot, she felt the growing waves of her orgasm. It was right there, so close, yet not close enough as they pounded, kissed and gasped together as if they’d made love to one another thousands of times before.
“Come for me, babe.” Josh’s face was over hers and she knew he wanted it as badly as she did.
After what felt like forever, she finally felt every muscle relax, then tighten around him as she gyrated her pelvis against his.
“Do it, Annie. Come with me.”
He didn’t have to say it twice, as with a quick shimmy she pressed her most sensitive part against him and her orgasm rose up in uncontrollable spasms, rolling through and over her decisively, mind-blowingly. She heard her scream and Josh’s shout answered her, their shudders in tandem as they shared their release.
She collapsed on top of him, the feel of the soft smattering of his chest hair against her bare breasts so welcome. So right.
Annie cherished how they lay as one, she atop him, completely sated, completely at ease. His breath fanned the hair on her forehead, and her total abandon reflected where her heart, its pounding settling down, was. Trust.
She trusted Josh.
“Annie?”
“Yes?” Her cheek was still on his shoulder; her body felt like a tired cat as his fingers traced her back, rubbed on her spine.
“Thank you.”
She propped herself up on her elbows, earning a grimace from him as one elbow dug into his chest. “Sorry—wait.” She turned onto her bottom and sat all the way up, back against the headboard, and looked at him. “There’s no ‘thank you’ for this, Josh.”
“No, not for what we shared. It’s always been here between us, even if we didn’t know what to do with it.” His face was relaxed. He disposed of the condom before he settled in next to her. “Thank you for trusting me.”
“Trusting you? You’re the one who’s in the risky position.” She looked him up and down and grinned. “Seriously, though, this is your town, your life. And you let me see Becky again...”
“Stop. No thinking, not tonight. We deserve to enjoy this, no stress about tomorrow.”
“Okay. But, Josh, I am going back to New York in a couple of months. This can’t, won’t, be permanent.” She felt like such a liar. How could she say this after the most amazing sexual encounter of her life?
“I know.” He shifted, his hand under her jaw. “So let’s make the most of tonight.” He kissed her, and she marveled at how quickly his touch melted away her worries about Kit, ROC and, more importantly, her concerns about getting in too deep with him.
A soft buzzing reached her ears and she ignored it, deepening the kiss. Josh lifted his head. “Annie. It’s your phone.”
“What?” Crap, her phone, in her pants pocket, on the floor of the bedroom. She saw the screen light up and scrambled for it. She looked at him before she answered it.
“It’s Kit.”
* * *
Twenty minutes later, she and Josh were in her foyer and she had to swallow her sadness that they couldn’t enjoy their afterglow a little longer. But duty called. Kit had indeed gone back to Valensky in hopes of taking him and ROC down. She wanted to meet with Annie at the shop.
“Let’s go over our plan one more time.” Josh stood at her front door, and she had to ignore the tug of regret, knowing he had to go. That they weren’t going to be more than sexy friends.
And they had at least one life to save immediately, and several over the next week or two.
“Kit will be at the shop an hour before it opens. I’ll find out whatever I can from her, then call you.”
“No, don’t call me. If Valensky’s tracking her, he’ll tap your shop’s phone or intercept your cell conversations.”
“Right. I’ll meet you no matter what she tells me, at the Roaring Rooster, no later than ten thirty.”
“Good.”
“But, Josh, what if she wants or needs more help?”
“Unless she wants to come into protective custody or go to another shelter, she can’t be seen around the station. And neither can you, not with her or close to meeting her.”
She nodded. “Right.”
“Annie.” He put his arms around her and pulled her next to him. “No matter what happens with this case, you and I aren’t done.”
“We can’t talk about it now, Josh. Tonight was...” She couldn’t articulate it.
“Spectacular, a long time coming, fate?” He countered his serious words wi
th a kiss to her temple. She felt his lips form a smile, his breath moist. “It doesn’t have to be a one-time deal. It can’t be, Annie. Not with us.” He gave her a hard kiss on the lips before slipping out the door. She threw the dead bolt and wondered if she’d be able to sleep before her meeting with Kit in the morning. What had happened between her and Josh should be troubling her, too. But to the contrary—acting on her desire for him, without holding back, had been the most freeing decision she’d made. Ever.
That was what she was afraid of.
Chapter 9
Relief soothed Annie’s nerves when Kit walked through the shop door, appearing herself, for the most part. She’d never get used to the incessant worry with each client who was in an abusive situation. The statistics were bad enough, but her own experience and how closely she’d come to not breaking free of her bad relationship underscored her anxiety.
Annie did a quick visual skim of Kit and saw that while her expression wasn’t haunted as it had been weeks earlier, the woman still appeared on the verge of running back out the shop door. Annie understood. Trust in others was the hardest commodity for an abuse victim to regain.
“Hello, Annie!” Kit’s cheerful greeting didn’t match the wariness in her eyes. As if she expected Annie to reprimand her. There were still shadows under her eyes, and something plagued her.
“I’m glad to see you’re okay. That was a tough decision, Kit.” Annie fought the urge to tell Kit she was being flat-out stupid and should go back to the shelter ASAP. She’d drive her there.
“I know, I know. I knew you’d say that.” Kit placed her laptop on the large round maple table. “First, I am so grateful for you and Officer Avery, and for the help I got at the shelter. But I had to come back, Annie. We have to get Vadim put away for good. Domestic violence charges won’t be enough.”
Annie’s concern was piqued but she couldn’t argue with Kit, not if she was going to help the woman. “Go on.”
“I told Vadim I had to be at class early, and if he finds out I’m here I have a good enough excuse, but I’d rather not take any extra chances. Not this soon after going back home. I have to make this short. It’s not just about me, Annie.” She wanted to press Kit and see if she knew about the ROC’s ongoing trafficking op, but remained silent.