by Aden Lowe
"Don't worry, Azia. I'm not going to hit back. This time, anyway." He glanced my way again, leaving me to wonder what he meant by that.
"Flag, I really don't want everyone I work with thinking I’m engaged." How to get the point across? "There's this old busy-body who works at the front desk. She spreads gossip like she's getting paid for it. And what she doesn't know, she makes up. The moment everything is back to normal, and I'm suddenly not engaged again, she'll have the whole school thinking all sorts of horrid things about me."
He nodded, and seemed to consider my words. "Look, the fastest way to draw him out is to make him think he's totally lost you. He'll have to make some sort of move, out of desperation, when he hears that. And then I can take care of him, without anyone else being hurt."
The sigh felt like a dying breath as it escaped my lips. "Are you sure there's no other way?"
"Yeah, Azia, there's other ways. We can wait, let him see us together. Or I can just go back there and put a fucking bullet in his head. Problem solved. Except he might not be the killer. I've got enough fucked up shit on my conscience without killing an innocent man." His knuckles whitened from gripping the wheel so hard. He took a deep breath and visibly relaxed his muscles. "Look, yes, we could do it another way. But this way is the fastest, and with the least risk."
"Okay." There was nothing else to say. I certainly couldn't let him just kill Richard without proof. And I didn't want anyone else hurt. I would just have to swallow my pride, and admit to the world that I failed when everyone asked what happened to getting married. And ironically, it was the truth.
Flag remained silent for the rest of the drive, his face settled into harsh lines. No doubt dwelling on all the horrible things that weighed on his soul. Once more, I tried to imagine what he must have endured in the years since I thought he died. I knew there had been injuries. I glimpsed the scars when he came out of the shower. The psychological scars must be far worse.
I selected Carrie's number in my contacts list. I hesitated, and almost hung up, when she answered. "Uh, hi, Carrie. It's Azia."
Her chuckle did nothing to settle my nerves. "I figured that, since your picture came up when my phone rang."
"Oh. Well, here's the thing. I was wondering if I could come over for a little bit." My nervousness came out in my voice, but she gave no indication of noticing.
"Oh, yeah, of course! Well, if you don't mind a bunch of loud kids having an impromptu football tournament, that is."
I smiled. "You know I don't mind noisy kids." Flag raised a hand, showing me his fingers spread wide, closed them, then spread them again. "Uh, I'll be there in about ten minutes, if that's okay."
"Perfect timing. I'll have food ready for the starving horde by then, so maybe we can hear ourselves think. I'll see you then." She ended the call with a laugh.
"Okay, she's expecting us." Every muscle in my body quivered with the need to run.
"She's in for a surprise. She's expecting you."
I felt my eyes widen as I realized he was right. "I need to call her back and let her know I’m not—"
"No, you don't. The more surprised she is, the more excited she'll be, and the more eager she'll be to tell everyone." He glanced my way again. "That will work in our favor."
Oh, God. Could this day get any harder? I should know better than ask that kind of question, even in my head. It was tempting fate. Now, I could only hope fate decided on kindness.
We pulled into Carrie's driveway and Flag parked close behind her gray Suburban. He looked around, taking in the modest 1970s split-level, and the toys and bikes littering the lawn. "She's married?"
"No. Her husband died four years ago. Brain cancer. One day he was fine, the next he was sick, and the next he was gone." Why did I feel the need to give him details of Carrie's life?
He nodded. "Dating?"
"No, she's too busy with her kids. I think she's still too heart-broken."
Another nod came. "Okay. You ready to fucking do this?"
I shivered. "No. I'm not. I want my life back, and I want my friends back."
His jaw clenched. "Well, this is the only way to get it back, and keep from losing more of them, so put on your big-girl panties and let's get this shit done." Color stained his cheeks, betraying how unpleasant he found the idea.
That made me feel a little better. At least I wasn't the only one wishing we didn't have to do this. "Okay." I opened my door and slid out of the truck, remembering the distance to the ground too late.
By the time my feet hit the ground, Flag was right there waiting for me. He took my hand, and held on when I would have pulled back. "Put your game face on, baby, and make this convincing." He closed my door and settled a big hand at my waist. "Come on."
I pasted a smile on my face and led the way to the door, where twelve-year old Nora met us. "Mom said come on out to the patio. She has to make sure the boys don't eat the legs off the table along with their lunch." I couldn't help but laugh at her words, but then Nora spotted Flag and her eyes widened. Butterflies jumped all over my stomach, but she didn't say anything at all, just gestured for us to follow.
In the back, a dozen boys, including Carrie's three, sat at a huge picnic table, wolfing down sandwiches. Carrie looked up from her chair on the patio. "Oh, hey, you made it!" She jumped up to hug me. "I almost didn't think you would—" Her gaze found Flag standing behind me. "Azia? Have you been holding out on me?"
He took that as his cue to come forward, hand outstretched. "I'm Flag. Nice to meet you." His confidence annoyed me.
"It's nice to meet you, too. Can I get you two anything? We have a never ending supply of Kool-Aid, and I think there are some beers in there, too." She tilted her head, silently indicating I should come inside with her.
"Water sounds good to me. How about you, Flag?" My pasted on smile became somewhat genuine as I recognized the apprehension on his face as he stared at the kids.
"Uh, a beer would really hit the spot about now, if you have any."
"Good, sit, and we'll be right back." The ease with which Carrie grabbed Flag's elbow and guided him to sit in one of the patio chairs astonished me. And he just let her! "Come on, Azia, give me a hand bringing the drinks out."
I followed dutifully until we reached the kitchen.
"Okay, girl, dish. Where did you find that? And what are you doing with it?" Her excited whisper almost made me wish it was for real.
"I met him through a friend. And I figured you should meet him." I couldn't bring myself to say more. "Come on, before those kids terrorize him." It was Flag's idea. He would have to say the words. I couldn't say them and not mean them.
"Here ya go, Flag." She handed him the cold beer, and indicated I should sit too.
When I moved to take the chair beside Flag, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me to sit on his lap. "Don't even think you're going to sit that fucking far away from me." The heat of his breath on my neck raised gooseflesh all down my arms.
Carrie's delighted laughter made things even worse, and heat rose to my cheeks. "Flag, there are kids here." The protest fell on deaf ears.
"Okay, now I have to know, how did you two meet?"
Chapter Eleven
Flag
I realized the error right away. Azia's ass was too soft, too warm, on my lap, but it was too fucking late now to let her sit beside me. Her friend would immediately pick up on any uncertainty between us. If we were going to sell the cover story, she had to think we wanted each other, and that we were comfortable together. And in this case, failure was not an option. Lives depended on it.
Left with no choice but to play my part to the fullest, I snaked one arm around Azia's waist and drew her back against my chest. She stiffened for a heartbeat, ready to bolt, then relaxed.
I smiled a little at the small victory, then tried to focus on the answer Carrie waited for. "Azia and my sister were roommates in college. Every time I saw Gabbi, I kept hearing how great her roommate was, and how I should meet her. I had no
intentions of letting my little sister play matchmaker, though, so I avoided being home when Azia visited. As determined as Gabbi was, I'm surprised it took us as long to meet as it did." I drew a fucking blank on the rest of the fictional details. "Baby, you want to tell her how we finally ran into each other?"
Her muscles tensed again, but she laughed a little. "Ever since graduation, Gabbi and I always meet about once a month for coffee or lunch. It gives us a chance to catch up a little. A few months ago, she accidentally locked her keys in her car, and I waited with her for Flag to come to the rescue with the spare." She turned to smile at me over her shoulder. "He asked me out that day."
I picked it up from there. "I somehow doubt the keys getting locked in was an accident. Gabbi knew I was home for the weekend, so I would be the one to bring her the spare. So she got her way in the end."
"I had no idea you were seeing someone!" A shout came from the table where the kids were evidently finished eating. "Oh no you don't! You guys know how to clean up. Get it done." The kids scurried to follow orders as Carrie turned back to us. "I swear Azia, if I ever want a secret kept, I'll give it to you. You never even gave the slightest hint. You're like the Fort Knox of secrets."
Something like guilt filled Azia's face as she looked up at me, then back to Carrie. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you before. I just wasn't ready to share yet." She glanced my way again, looking for help.
"Not going to be able to keep the secret much longer though. I just relocated here so we can be together all the time." Fuck, why did I wish that was true? I knew better. It could never happen. "Besides, people will start asking about the ring on her finger when it comes back from the jeweler."
"Ring? Oh my God, Azia! Have you set a date?" Carrie's excitement overflowed as tears.
Thank fuck, Azia picked it up again. "Not yet. We agree we should take our time. We have the rest of our lives, so there's no need to rush now."
Carrie nodded and wiped her eyes. "I am so happy for you! For both of you! Flag, you're getting a very special woman."
"Yeah." Something in my mind gave way, and the temptation proved too damn much. I let my fingers slip into Azia's hair, right at the nape of her neck. "Yeah, I am." My touch melted her, and all those luscious curves molded to my body. I never expected her body to respond like that, to be so in tune with my every touch. Shock sent me spinning, and I had to get away. "Uh, I need to make a call. I'll let you two talk." Reluctant as hell, I helped Azia slip off my lap and stood.
Azia stared up at me a moment, lips parted, eyes dark, and I almost expected her to ask me to stay like she did so many times in the past. "Okay. Hurry back."
I gave myself a mental shake. Forget all that shit for now, deal with it later, and just fucking sell the cover story. The reminder brought me back to the real world, to the job at hand. I leaned to give Azia a small kiss, which would cement the cover in Carrie's mind. Big fucking mistake.
As soon as my mouth touched Azia's, the world crashed in on me, and I greedily pulled her to me. In that moment, tasting Azia meant more than my next breath. Judging by the way she pressed to me, arms slipping around my neck, she felt the same way.
My hand slipped into her hair to angle her head just right, and I took advantage of her surprise to dip my tongue between her lips. The first stroke across her velvety tongue dragged a groan from me. She pressed closer, full tits crushed to my chest, and gave an answering whimper. I let my other hand slide down her back, over the curve of her luscious ass, and pulled her hips closer to make sure she could feel my hard-on.
What the fuck was I doing? I wanted nothing to do with her. Not after the way she destroyed me, and yet my dick had entirely different ideas. That bastard would sell the rest of me out just to feel that tight little pussy of hers again. Fuck, I should have known I couldn't do this and keep my distance.
I tried to end the kiss. Really, I fucking did. But Azia's mouth moved hungrily under mine, and I couldn't resist. Simply could not. The self-discipline and control I prided myself on dissolved under her touch, fucking useless. Every muscle quivered, driving me with the urge to possess her.
Everything melted away, except the texture of her lips, and the sweet scent of her skin. The tiny whimpers she gave drowned out any other sounds around us. What would she sound like when my dick filled her again? Fuck, what would I sound like, after all this time? I had to know.
Time stopped, and the only thing that mattered any more was tasting her, readying her body to receive me. And she responded in kind, tangling her tongue with mine, soft lips clinging, breath coming hard and fast.
Chapter Twelve
Azia
Cass' touch woke things in my body I thought were long dead. Just one touch. How did he still have that kind of power over me? And the moment his lips touched mine? Well, that was nothing like I remembered. His mouth demanded absolutely everything, and not gently. He swept his tongue into my mouth, exploring and claiming, in a way that left me desperate for more. Need, unlike anything I experienced before, threatened to consume me.
"Um, hello? Minors present. Remember?" Carrie's voice intruded on the moment.
Flag drew back. "We'll finish this later, Azia." His promise raised gooseflesh on my arms.
I watched transfixed as he walked away, a very different man than the one I fell in love with all those years ago. And yet, if anything, I craved him even more.
"Wow, you two will have to be careful."
The chair, still warm from his body, welcomed me as my knees went weak. "Oh?"
Carrie nodded and flipped her blonde hair back. "Yep. You'll scorch the paint right off the walls."
Heat flooded my face with humiliation. "I…uh…" I couldn't come up with an excuse. Nothing I could say would change the way I behaved, or the way Carrie saw me now.
A dismissive hand waved, as if it were nothing. "No need to explain, honey. If I had a man that hot, I'd be the same way." She laughed. "I see why you kept him a secret, though. Any other woman in the market would try to snatch him right out from under you. Not that I think they'd have any luck. He's crazy about you."
Her words made it more difficult to regain my composure, so I stayed quiet, hoping for a change of subject. Maybe she had a funny story about the kids?
"Now, tell me the real story."
"Real story?" Surely she couldn't have guessed this whole thing was a farce? Had we given it away? I searched back over everything Flag or I had said, and found nothing that might have betrayed us.
"All the juicy details. What happened after he asked you out at first? Where did you go?" Carrie leaned forward and tucked her hair behind her ear.
I reminded myself she lived vicariously through her friends ever since Brian died. His illness and death were a terrible ordeal for her, and she still showed no interest in seeing anyone else. I smiled and prepared myself to give her a great story. I just had to come up with it, and fast.
"I took her to dinner, then we went for a walk at the lake." Flag's gruff voice interrupted my train of thought.
I could only stare up at him as he returned, and sat next to me. Memories surfaced, of long walks by starlight, and long lingering kisses in the cool night air. "The stars on the water were beautiful." Did those same nights still torment him? Sometimes in my dreams, I thought I was back in that time, with a future ahead.
Gentle fingers brushed my cheek, bringing me back to the present. "Not as beautiful as you." The deep pools of his eyes drew me in, calling me back to things best left forgotten.
Self-preservation finally kicked in. Of course he didn't mean any of the sweet things he said. It was just what he had to say to convince Carrie. I cleared my throat. "Um, we should be going."
His face became unreadable again in a flash. "Yeah, we have a lot to do." A smile settled on his mouth as he turned to my friend. "Carrie, it was great to meet you. Thank you for the beer."
She grinned. "You two are so cute together! I'm really glad I got to meet you, Flag. You guys have to come over
for a grown-up dinner soon. I have some recipes I'm dying to try!"
"Looking forward to it." He shook her hand, then slid an arm around my waist. "Ready?"
I nodded, eager to get away before I made even more of a fool of myself. Carrie probably thought of me as a love-struck idiot now. "Thanks, Carrie, see you at school."
By the time we made it back out to his ridiculously large truck, anger surged through my veins. I ignored him and settled into my seat in silence. If I had to ride in that thing much more, he was going to have to get me a stepstool. Then he wouldn't need to touch me, to slide his hand along my back, as he helped me up.
"What's wrong with you?" He put the truck in gear and backed out.
"Nothing." Unless you counted how silly my co-worker would consider me now. How could I go back to work in a classroom with an aid who saw me practically melt just from a simple kiss? I couldn't, that's how.
"Bullshit. I know that look."
That did it. "You know nothing about me. Remember? You left, went on with your life." No, it wasn't fair, but I lashed out anyway. My eyes stung with unshed tears. "Why didn't you come and look for me again? Not even one time?"
Harsh laughter filled the cab of the truck. "Really? You're still fucking hung up on that shit? You fucking walked away and never looked back. No grave to visit. No obituary. But you still just fucking bought what the old man said."
The tears won the battle. He was right. I should have demanded more. But so should he. I choked back the lump in my throat. I had to focus. I needed him to help me. If I made him mad, he might wash his hands of me, and the killer, and walk away. I took a deep breath, digging deep for self-control. "Fighting won't find the killer. Where are we going?"
His sigh promised he wanted to say so much more, but held it back. "Your place. We're going to make ourselves visible together, as a couple, just in case it's someone else."