by L. J. Taylor
Pleasure sent her already aroused senses into overdrive. She gasped and writhed and grabbed the back of his head. She cried out as she reached her peak and rode wave after wave of orgasm. When she finished, he rose from the couch and undid his pants. They hit the floor, followed by his boxers. He then reached down, plucked her off the couch and carried her into the bedroom.
He laid her down on the bed and climbed on top of her. He then rolled onto his back, taking her with him and set her on top. She hadn’t expected him to do that. It pleased her. He was a generous lover, letting her set the pace. She smiled and straddled him. He grabbed his well-endowed member and rubbed it through her moist folds, making her want him even more. She bit her lip, then lifted her hips and positioned him at her entrance. She ground down slowly, taking him in inch by inch, torturing them both.
Pleasure and pain commingled as the years of celibacy had made her tight – very tight. She groaned. His fingers dug into her hips, but he held her gaze and didn’t move, allowing her to take her time. Without breaking eye contact, she descended until finally, she took all of him inside her. She rocked her hips slowly, letting her tissues adjust to him. Shocks of pleasure ran through her and, looking into his eyes, she felt a connection with him that she never felt before.
She began to ride him, increasing the pace little by little. He joined in bucking his hips. Pleasure mounted as they found their rhythm. She rode him like a wild horse, their fingers clasped together as they moved in unison. Pleasure rose like a crescendo until she reached her peak again. This time it was stronger than before. She cried out as the first wave hit her. Her mouth worked soundlessly as the remaining waves crashed over her. When it ended, she found herself pitched forward on top of him, her head in the crook of his chest.
He lay there for a moment stroking her back. Then he turned and flipped her onto her back. She looked up at him in surprise. He smiled down at her. “I’m not done with you yet.”
He spread her open, entered her with a single powerful thrust, and began moving in long, deep strokes. She gasped for breath, the stimulation almost too much for her sensitive tissues. He bent her knees almost to her chest and plundered her. She could feel the pleasure mounting again with each stroke. This time, they reached their climax at the same time. His roar filled the room. She held on for dear life as he took them both over the edge.
Afterward, they fell into a deep slumber, his arms wrapped tight around her, as if he would never let her go.
Chapter XVI
Zeke and his crew sat at a table in the club. He took a sip from his Hennessey and a puff from his cigar. “You say she went to see her attorney today and she was there for hours? I don’t trust that bitch. I bet she made a deal with the government. Did you see anyone from the state attorney’s office go into that building?”
Terrell shrugged. “How the fuck would I know if anyone who went into that building was from the state attorney’s office?”
Zeke rolled his eyes. “Never mind. This is what I want you to do. If I get arrested, I want you to take that bitch out. They don’t have a case if she can’t testify against me. Just make sure she’s dead.”
Terrell nodded. “You got it, Zeke.”
As if on cue, Zeke’s cell phone rang. It was his attorney. “Zeke, my paralegal just got word from the Clerk’s office that a warrant has been issued for your arrest and search warrants have been issued for your home and businesses.”
“What?” Zeke sat up straight and slammed his hand down onto the table. “I knew it! I knew I couldn’t trust that bitch. How long do I have?”
“They could arrive at any moment. They’re probably starting with your house. Where are you?”
“I’m at the club.”
“Well, if you turn yourself in, it will look a lot better.”
“Did your paralegal say what the charges are?” Zeke asked.
“Burglary, assault and battery.”
“Assault and battery? On who?”
“According to the warrant, you committed assault and battery on Ms. Ivy Brooks earlier today,” the attorney said.
“What? I’ll teach that bitch what assault and battery really is. Just wait until I get my hands on her!”
“As your attorney I have to advise you against that. Also, I can’t hear about any crimes you plan to commit in the future, or I’ll be obligated to report them.”
Zeke muttered something under his breath. He pulled the cell phone away from his ear and sat there thinking for a moment. He brought the cell phone back to his ear. “I’ll meet you in your office in an hour.” He disconnected the call and turned to his crew.
“Get out of here. The police are going to be here any minute. You know what you have to do.”
“Count on it,” Terrell said. He and his men filed out.
Zeke rose from his seat and headed into his office. Once there, he walked behind the desk and took a painting of a nude voluptuous woman down from the wall. He unlocked the safe behind it and removed a metal box from its depths. He laid it on his desk, opened it and smiled as he perused the jewelry, cash and bearer bonds inside. He closed the box, then went back to the safe. He removed his favorite weapon, checked the clip, and shoved it into his ankle holster. He closed the safe, retrieved the box, and left the office. He walked out of the club, got into his car, and drove off.
Chapter XVII
Ivy woke up starving. She stirred a little and smiled when she felt Luke’s arm tighten around her.
“Where do you think you’re going?” He cuddled her from behind and kissed the back of her neck.
“To use the facilities if you don’t mind. Plus, I’m starving. Aren’t you?”
“Now that you mention it, I am hungry. I guess we expended a bit of energy today.”
“I’d say more than just a bit.” She turned around and kissed him on the lips. He leaned in for a deeper kiss, but she pushed him away.
“Oh no. That’s how we got started in the first place. If we start that again, I’ll die of starvation. I am getting up.” She turned around quickly and got up before he could grab her again. She ran into the bathroom and locked the door. He heard her laughing behind the door.
“You can’t stay in there forever. You have to come out sometime and when you do, I’m getting some more.”
“No. Let me make you a meal first, at least.”
“Let’s take a shower together.”
“If we take a shower together, we’ll just end up fooling around again.”
“Yeah, but we’ll be killing two birds with one stone,” he said. “We’ll be cleaning up and fooling around at the same time, and we’ll get some food in us that much faster.”
Ivy smirked. She couldn’t fault his logic. She unlocked the bathroom door, climbed into the bathtub and turned on the shower. Soon it was on again between them.
An hour later, Ivy stared into the refrigerator wondering what to make. She was out of many of the basics and the meat in her freezer was frozen solid.
“We’re either going to have to order in or go get a few groceries. I meant to go food shopping earlier, but things didn’t go as planned.”
“I’d say that was an understatement. Since we’re going to laying low for a while, we’d better go out and get some groceries. Let me just tell the undercover officers that we’re heading out.” He grabbed the two way radio the police officers had given them from the table and communicated their plans to the police officers in the car outside.
“They said they’d follow us to that little market around the corner. They didn’t recommend that we go major food shopping in a supermarket.”
“Okay,” Ivy said. “This is going to take some getting used to. I guess we’re going to be cooped up in here for the next couple of weeks.” She wiped her suddenly sweaty palms hands on her jeans. “I hope we don’t get sick of each other during that time.”
“I wouldn’t worry about that.” He wrapped his arms around her from behind and kissed her on the cheek. “I’m sure we�
��ll find ways of entertaining ourselves.”
She smiled and leaned back into his embrace for a moment. Then she straightened. “Let’s go.” She walked over to the table and grabbed her keys then turned and watched him holster a gun on his belt and reach for his jacket. Her eyes widened. “I didn’t know you had a gun. Are you supposed to be carrying that? I mean, do you have a license to carry a concealed weapon?”
He walked over to her and looked her in the eye. “Yes. I have a license to carry a concealed weapon, and I know how to use it. I notified the police that I have it too. That’s why they’re protecting you from outside instead of being in here.”
“Oh,” Ivy said. “When were you planning to let me know?”
“I’ve been meaning to tell you since we left your attorney’s office. But I haven’t had much opportunity to talk with you about much since we left. It’s not like we had a whole lot of conversation since then. First, you were upset, then we got busy and then –. “
Ivy laughed. “You are a fool. Never mind. Let’s go.”
Luke radioed the police detail and told them they were ready to leave. They left the apartment and were met outside by two police officers who escorted them to an unmarked sedan. The police officers drove them to a little market a few blocks away from the building. One of them accompanied Ivy and Luke into the store while the other officer waited outside. Ivy grabbed a little plastic basket and began filling it with things they would need for dinner that night and breakfast the next morning.
“How would you like pancakes in the morning? Or would you prefer scrambled eggs, toast, bacon and home fries?”
“Wow, there are great fringe benefits to being locked inside with you. Why do I have to choose? Can’t I have it all?” he asked.
Ivy laughed. “No. If you get it all too soon, then you won’t appreciate it.”
“I’ll appreciate it, I promise.”
“Yeah right--” Ivy stopped talking when she heard the sound of gunfire coming from outside.
“Take cover!” The police officer who had accompanied them into the store drew his weapon. He called for backup then ran outside to assist his partner.
Ivy stood there frozen.
“Get down!” Luke pushed Ivy behind a fruit display bin. He pulled his weapon, released the safety and joined her.
“What? What’s happening?” Ivy asked, trembling.
***
Luke peered out from behind the bin and tried to see what was happening. He could tell from the gunfire that the police officers were involved in a fight with more than one assailant. He could also hear sirens in the distance. His heart lurched when he saw one of the police officers go down. He couldn’t see the other one. There was silence for a moment.
The store owner cowered behind the counter. When the gunfire ceased, he raised his head to peer over the counter. Luke signaled for him to stay down. He nodded and crouched out of view again. The store doors opened. The bells that usually signaled the entry of customers tinkled. Luke looked up at one of the anti-theft mirrors strategically placed throughout the store and saw two of Zeke’s henchmen entering the store. They carried AK 47’s. One headed straight for the counter. The other stood at the front of the store.
The gunman ordered the owner to get up.
The owner stood up and raised his hands over his head. “Please. Don’t kill me.”
“That’s just what I’m going to do if you don’t tell me the truth,” the gunman said. He pointed his gun at the store owner’s head. “I know they’re in here. Where are they?”
The store owner hesitated. “Who are you referring to?”
“The man and the woman that walked in here ten minutes ago,” the gunman said. Don’t you play dumb with me.” He put the muzzle of the rifle against the storekeeper’s forehead. “I’ll ask you one last time. Where are they?”
The storekeeper’s eyes widened and he trembled. “They’re over there.” He pointed in the opposite direction from where Ivy and Luke actually hid.
The gunman and his cohort headed off in that direction. The storekeeper grabbed his gun from under the counter and detached the safety.
“Stay down no matter what happens,” Luke whispered.
“Oh, my God, please be careful,” Ivy whispered back. She could hear the sirens grow louder outside.
“He lied to us,” the gunman said. “They’re not over here.” He turned toward the storekeeper and aimed his gun at him. The storekeeper fired his weapon, putting a bullet right through the gunman’s chest.
As the other gunman turned to fire at the storekeeper, Luke sneaked up from behind and put the muzzle of his weapon to the gunman’s head. “Drop it.”
The gunman froze for a moment then he dropped his gun and put his hands up. Luke kicked the gun out of reach. “Get on your knees.”
The gunman dropped onto his knees. Police officers rushed into the store, their weapons drawn. “Drop it!” They pointed their weapons at Luke. He froze.
Marshall came into the store and quickly assessed the situation. “No. He’s one of the clients.” He turned to Luke. “Are you and Ivy alright?”
“Yes,” Luke said. “There were two of them. The store owner got one of them with his gun. I got the drop on this one right here. They’re from Zeke’s crew.”
“Take him away,” Marshall said to the uniformed officers. They took the gunman away. Luke holstered his weapon. Ivy jumped up from behind the fruit bin and rushed into his arms. He held her tight.
“I’ve never been so scared in all my life,” she said. “I thought for sure you’d end up getting shot or something.” She buried her head in his chest.
He stroked her hair. “I’m okay. We’re okay.”
Marshall watched them and smiled. “I’m glad to see that. We should probably get the two of you out of here and back to your building.”
“What about the groceries?” Ivy asked.
Luke laughed. “Only you would think about groceries at a time like this.”
“Hey, it will probably be a while before I work up the nerve to leave my apartment again. We’re going to have to eat something.”
“Take them,” the store owner said. “They’re on the house. Thank you for stopping the second man from killing me.”
“Thank you for not telling them where we were hiding. You took a big risk,” Luke said.
“Anything for a loyal customer,” the store owner said. “Where I come from gunmen are constantly oppressing people. I don’t like that, so I stand up for what I believe in. Legally, of course.” He glanced at Marshall.
Marshall’s lips twitched. “Of course. Why don’t you just pack up those groceries for them while you give your statement to this police officer over here? You do have a license for that gun, right?”
The shopkeeper smiled. “Of course.”
Marshall nodded in approval. “Good.”
***
Charles peered out the window. His instincts were telling him to get Kathy, Mariah and Omari out of the house. And they were never wrong. “Honey, we’ve got to go. Now.”
Kathy let out a frustrated growl, but she didn’t argue with him – much. “But I haven’t finished packing everything. I’m sure I’m leaving stuff behind. Stuff we’ll need for Omari.”
“Whatever we don’t have we can buy. We just need to be alive to do it.” He looked out the window again and spotted a suspicious looking brother strolling down the street. He was young and dressed in all black with a ton of gold jewelry on his neck and fingers. Charles took his gun out of the holster at his ankle and turned to face Mariah and Kathy who were staring at him. It’s a good thing Mariah had stopped by to visit and was there when Ivy called. He was going to have to rely on her to get Kathy and Omari out safely while he took care of the thugs and made sure they weren’t followed.
“Mariah, take Kathy and Omari out the back door. I parked the car on the next block over. Get inside and take cover. I’ll be there soon. If I’m not there in ten minutes, call 911.”
Mariah looked him in the eye and nodded. She turned to Kathy. “Come on, Sis. I’ll take the bag, you grab Omari’s hand.”
Kathy’s eyes widened. “Oh, my God. They’re here, aren’t they?” She took a deep breath. “Okay. Be careful, baby.” She gave Charles a quick hug and a peck on the cheek, then she walked over to where Omari played on the floor – completely oblivious to the danger that threatened them. “Come on, sweetie. We’re going to play a game.” She took his hand, then grabbed her purse and the car keys from the table.
“A game?” Omari asked.
Kathy nodded. “Yes. It’s a game where you, me and Auntie Mariah hide from Uncle Charlie. We have to leave really fast and really quiet and sneak away. No-one can see us. Okay?”
Omari smiled. “Okay.”
Charles walked over to the back door. He opened it, poked his head out and checked the perimeter. It was clear. “Go.” He held the door open.
Kathy waddled quickly out the door with Omari in tow. Mariah followed rolling the large suitcase. Charles watched as they crossed the back yard and headed out the back gate. He then walked through the house to the living room and peeked out the front window. Four of Zeke’s men were out there now. Three of them sat in a car parked across the street. The guy he saw earlier walked up the block and stopped on the street in front of his house.
The three men exited the car and joined him on the sidewalk. Their leader, a tall, light-skinned brother, signaled for one to approach the garage door and for the other two to go around the back. He approached the front door.
Chapter XVIII
Zeke sat in the living room of a modest apartment in a not so great neighborhood. It was his crash pad. He leased it under an alias. The apartment owner couldn’t care less. He had paid the deposit and six months’ rent up front in cash. The owner never ran his credit or checked his references. Zeke sipped a drink and waited for his crew to report back to him. It had been several hours since they separated and still there was no word.