She was lost in his strength, his sex appeal, and the feel of his hard cock pressed up against her ass. He shifted slightly as he moaned into her mouth, lowered her to the couch, and kissed her relentlessly. She ran her fingers through his hair as he shifted. Her legs were over his lap, her back on the couch as he kissed her and used his hands to manipulate her skin.
She felt the warmth of his palm as he slid it under her sweater, over her quivering belly, then to her breast. He moaned a little deeper into her mouth, and she tilted her breast up against his hand, loving the feel of it against her skin and the significant size of his palm over her breast. She was pretty big up top, but the contrast of size had her shifting upward, kissing him back and wanting to feel even more.
When his mouth left hers and then he pressed her sweater up, quickly licking her cleavage, she knew she needed to slow things down.
“Oh God, Riley, please slow down. Please,” she begged, but she held his head between her hands as his tongue lapped beneath her bra and lashed at her nipple.
Her pussy erupted, and she gasped and then pressed his head harder against her chest. His nimble fingers unclasped her bra in the front, and his mouth suckled one of her breasts while he used his other hand to cup the other. She was lost in ecstasy, aroused, wanton as she tilted against him and let him have his wicked way with her breasts. He tugged, licked, suckled, and pulled again and again, and all she could do was moan and rock against him. His fingers were relentless as she felt him pinch one nipple on one side while he suckled the nipple on the other side.
“Riley. Oh God, Riley.” She moaned again.
He released her breast and then went for her mouth again. This time, she met his lips with hers and plunged her tongue in deeply as he maneuvered her underneath him and over her couch cushions. Her legs wrapped around his waist, and he rocked against her pussy, his hard, heavy body smushing her against the couch. She began to panic. In an instant, a fear, a feeling of trepidation, and bad memories from her past came pashing forward.
“Stop. Please. Stop.”
It took a few moments, but he seemed to hear her tone as he lifted up and then cupped her cheeks, shifting so he was kneeling between her legs.
She pulled her sweater down, not worried about the bra that hung against her armpits but more about his reaction and what had come over them, over her as flashbacks hit her mind.
“Let me up.”
“Wait a moment. Slow down. What happened? What were you thinking about? You look scared. Talk to me?” he said to her, and she was shocked that he could pick up on so much when he knew her so little.
Was it because he was law enforcement? Did he have a sixth sense or something?
“It’s nothing. We just needed to slow down. I hardly know you.”
“It’s more than that. Talk to me, baby. Let me in. Take the chance.” He shifted and pulled her onto his lap so she straddled his waist. He moved her around as if she were light as a feather, and that made her pussy quiver and the desire to feel more of him, to make him hers, grow instantly stronger.
He caressed her thighs as she placed her hands on his shoulders and looked at his sincere expression.
“This is something special. I want this to work out, but there can’t be secrets. Do you want me, too?” he asked her.
“I don’t know, Riley. I hardly know you. I’ve never felt like this before, and, well, there are your brothers to consider, too. It’s just a lot to think about, and maybe I’m not the right woman for you.”
“Are you kidding me? Feel what you do to me.” He thrust upward as he held her hips in place. She felt his erection, and her cheeks felt warm and flushed.
“Well, it was a hell of a kiss, and we kind of got a little crazy.”
He smirked at her as he moved one hand from her waist to up under her sweater, cupping her breast.
He used his thumb to trail back and forth over her nipple. She felt the imaginary string from nipple to pussy as she closed her eyes and exhaled.
“You got scared when my weight was on you. I know I’m a big man, especially compared to someone your size, but you had this look in your eyes. Did someone hurt you, baby?”
She opened her eyes and gasped. “Why would you say that?”
“You told all of us that you don’t date. Your reaction when I asked about you living alone a long time indicated that there was more to the short reply you gave me. When we’re kissing and you let go and just feel, you’re fine, but when I was over you, in complete control of you, you panicked. Who hurt you? Is he why you’re so unwilling to give this a whirl?
She was hesitant. This was an opportunity to come clean and let him know she needed time and that, indeed, she’d been hurt. That she went from so many years keeping her secret hidden to being in a position to explain her fears in one day to first her friends and now to a potential lover was odd. She didn’t know what to do, and she wasn’t sure she should trust him.
“I don’t want to talk about it. I’m sorry, Riley, but there are things I’ve never shared with anyone. Things I don’t feel comfortable discussing with you.”
She went to move off his lap, but he held her there and then reached up and cupped her cheek. He gave her a soft expression.
“I understand that you don’t know me that well. I just want you to know that if you’re afraid to get hurt, to give into these feelings because you think I, or my brothers, could hurt you physically or emotionally, we won’t. You don’t need to have a fear like that. We may be big, hard, capable men, but we respect women. Our mother and fathers taught us well.”
She was surprised. “Fathers?” she asked, and he nodded.
That was an odd statement to digest in a lot of ways, yet she felt envious.
“So you grew up having two dads and a mom to love you and your brothers?”
“Sure did. They were a bit overprotective at times, but they realized pretty quickly that we all had to live our lives and be men.”
“You’re lucky.”
“How about you? Any family?” he asked, and she shook her head, felt the tears in her eyes as she silently felt worthless.
She was a nobody with a brother who only tracked her down when he needed money or help getting out of jail. Her whole life she’d spent alone. She’d grown up alone since high school and had fended for herself. She’d had to cook, clean, pay bills, work multiple jobs, and live an adult life. Sometimes she just wanted to give up and be free, free from the pain, from being alone, and from having to work and provide for herself and survive.
“Baby, God, you look so sad right now. Talk to me, Bethany.” He cupped her head and hair and stared into her eyes.
“I can’t.”
“You won’t.”
“It’s a waste of time, of breath. I can’t change things. I can’t.”
“What would you have to change?”
“Everything. My past, my failures, my burdens, all of it. You’re perfect, your brothers are prefect, and I’m no one. I’m just trying to live.”
“You’re not no one. You’ve become instantly important to me. I want to learn more about you, and so do my brothers.”
“I can’t let you in, Riley. I don’t know how to, and I can’t. I just can’t.” She got up and then walked a few steps away. Riley stood as she wrapped her arms around her midsection.
He placed one hand on his hip and one on his holster. She had felt that holster against her hip and belly only moments ago, and even that charged her up and made her want him.
“This guy, whoever he was, did a number on you.”
She lowered her eyes, and a second later, Riley was in front of her, pulling her arms away from her waist and wrapping them around his waist. Her breasts, still free from her bra that hung loose, pressed against his chest. He cupped her cheeks and stared down into her eyes.
“You may not be ready to explain things right now, but we’ll work on it. There’s no need to rush. No need to pour your soul out to me, but know that I understand. You ta
ke your time. I’m willing to wait.”
“Why?” she asked him with tears in her eyes.
“Because, baby, you’re worth it.” He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her. She kissed him back and hugged him tightly until the sound of his radio going off indicated he needed to get back to work.
Riley slowly pulled back, but let his one hand glide along her ass while his other hand remained on her shoulder and against her neck possessively.
“I need to get back to work. Can I call you later?”
She nodded, and he gave her a wink.
“Later, baby.” He kissed her softly on the lips and held her hand, and he brought her along with him to her front door. He reached up after releasing her hand and caressed her cheek.
“We’ll make plans for tomorrow or later in the week when I call.”
She nodded and watched him go, closing the door behind him. She went immediately to the window and watched him from behind the closed curtains. Her heart pounded, and she took a few uneasy breaths. She didn’t even have to tell him about Curran or what he’d done to her. Riley figured a man had hurt her. Even though he might never know exactly how badly, at least he understood that she needed time and he didn’t seem as if he minded or would push her.
She needed that. She needed slow, despite how hot and heavy they had gotten on the couch. She stepped away from the curtains and then locked her front door before heading to the kitchen. She reached under her sweater, suddenly feeling the loss of Riley’s touch, and how incredible, and beautiful, he made her feel.
Maybe she could give this dating thing a try? Maybe?
She smiled as she went about looking to make some tea before going to the computer to get a head start on work.
Chapter 5
Bethany walked into the office on Monday and knew she was headed for a hell of a week. She couldn’t help but to smile the moment Ross arrived with a café latte, a file with prospective employees to be part of her group of assistants, as well as a smile and brown stuff on his nose.
She wasn’t one to rub it in and told him “thank you,” and then asked him to join her to go over the possibilities to pick the right people for the job. She had about four women and two men in mind, but they would need several more for this campaign. By noontime she felt a little more in control of the situation until Ross notified her that Mr. Chicatiro wanted a meeting to go over her progress by Friday night. He expected her to attend a dinner meeting along with him, Ross, Ross’s dad, a few partners, and the man behind the new restaurant chain Romulo’s.
“That’s not enough time,” she said to Ross.
Ross smiled. “Listen, Bethany, I know I’ve been a bit of an idiot, but in all honesty, you can handle this. You could get this entire thing wrapped up and ready to go by Friday, with or without Chicatiro’s approval. Your ideas are great, fresh, and inspirational. The photographers that you’ve chosen to catch the true beauty and appeal of the food at Romulo’s are awesome. I didn’t even know about that small group. Picking the main location in the meat district is awesome. It’s so downtown and action-oriented. You’ll be fine. Let me know if you need anything else. I’m headed out for a bit and then over to my father’s office for a meeting.”
“Okay. I’ll keep you posted.”
Bethany exhaled as she looked out the office window. A few months back she’d been sitting in a cubicle, looking at four walls, and trying to get Ross to look at her ideas. Now here she was in a main office, looking at the city skyline.
She felt nervous and excited. This was the opportunity she’d been waiting for. The only downside was that she had to deal with Cristiano. Why now, why him of all people?
Her phone was buzzing again, and she forgot to check who had tried to call her an hour ago during lunch. It was now two o’clock, and she’d bypassed lunch, her head in her portfolio, creating ideas and getting an entire campaign together in a matter of days.
She looked at it and felt a bit guilty.
Chancellor.
You must have been serious about cancelling lunch. I’m sitting here at a lovely private table in the corner of Miguel’s, and you’re a no-show.
Sorry, Chancellor. I’m swamped at work with the new project.
Never been stood up before. I don’t like it.
She chuckled to herself.
I’m sure you’ll get over it just fine.
And there are probably plenty of women staring at him right now, wishing he would ask them to join him. God, I’m jealous, and I’m not even sure I like Chancellor’s personality. He really is hung up on power and money.
Only if you say you’ll meet me for dinner. My treat, Oliver’s on Second at 6:00?
Did she really want to meet him? Was it a good idea? He would have to give her a ride home, too, so what if things went wrong?
Say yes, baby. I need to see you. I have a lot to make up for.
She stared at his words and then heard the knock on her door. It was Clare, one of her new assistants who worked for the company and who she’d known for a long time, with the documents she’d asked for.
“Come on in. I’m just finishing up a text,” she told Clare.
6:30. C U Later
* * * *
Cristano Chicatiro sat at the bar at Romulo’s. It was his buddy’s good friend, a guy from the neighborhood whose kids had done the right thing and stayed on track. Romulo had had the place for several years now, was doing well, and looking to franchise out. He had family members ready and willing to run a few other locations, to his liking and requirements. Romulo just needed the financial backing, and Cristano was looking to expand his legit businesses so eventually he wouldn’t have to deal with any more criminal activities.
He received a text from Ross Harris that Bethany had agreed to meet him at the restaurant, as well as Romulo, Ross’s dad, and a few other important business people. He couldn’t help but smile. Seeing Bethany after so many years had been quite the surprise. She was a good girl, a good kid who got mixed up in his psycho cousin’s rage. Curran had been high on some sort of shit that night. Why the kid ever took the hit from Calvin, Cristano will never know, but it had cost Calvin his life and Curran fourteen months in jail, and then a stint of Cristano’s own punishment for hurting the gorgeous young woman.
But seeing her now, he knew the moment Curran laid eyes on her he would want her back. She was drop-dead gorgeous, had one hell of a body on her, and was definitely sought after by any man in the same room. The fact that she had brains to go with that body just made her even more appealing, even to an older man like him.
He thought about Chancellor Cummings and seeing her talking to him. It appeared he had a romantic interest in her, which really pissed him off big time. His brother Collin had killed Dalton, Cristano’s nephew. He’d put the other two in the hospital, and he had been unscathed, the fucking backwoods redneck. The only reason why Collin didn’t wind up in jail was because of Chancellor’s connections and Dalton’s criminal record, along with those of his friends.
Cristano never got over that, but he’d moved on, especially once the shit happened with Bethany and Curran. He needed to clean things up with the family, get them out of the spotlight, and resolving things quickly was the best route. Curran had been pissed about the jail time, but once he got over the fact that he couldn’t remember what he had done to Bethany and that drugs had made him do it, he was somewhat a changed man. Cristano knew his cousin well. Curran still wanted Bethany in his life, but facing her after what he’d done to her was not happening any time soon.
He swallowed down the last bit of brandy and then smiled as Lou, the bartender, poured him another.
“Sticking around for dinner tonight?” Lou asked him.
“Not tonight. Got some plans,” he told him and then thought about Curran again, but then his cell phone rang.
He glanced at the caller I.D. then answered the call.
“Hello?”
“How’s my favorite business partner?”
/> He chuckled. Ferdinand Figaro was a piece a work and an old business partner from years ago. Cristano hadn’t heard from him in a while and wondered what was up.
“To what do I owe this pleasure of hearing from such a good friend?”
“Ahh, you want me to cut right to the chase or what?”
“Well, there’s plenty of time for bullshit and talking the old days when we get together in person. What do you need, buddy?”
“Well, information, for now. Seems I have a bit of a potential situation within my organization.’
“Hmm, need an exterminator?”
Ferdinand chuckled. “Have to find the little rodents first.”
“Oh, what did they take and how many rodents?”
“Looks like at least two.”
“So if you know, drag them in and take care of shit.”
“Not so easy. Number one, I’m not positive it was them. My guy was loaded when he was ripped off.”
“Shit, how much?”
Frederick was silent a moment. “Fifty.”
“Grand?”
“Yup.”
“Fuck.”
“I know. It was a quick deal, a drop off, and at a regular spot, so there could have been a least six people maybe who would figure out the transfer. Anyway, these two were always together, always doing different jobs, and suddenly after this hit, they’ve vanished.”
“They must be the ones then.”
“Well, not necessarily. They disappear from time to time. They do everything from being hired heavies for loan sharks and security details for visitors, you know what I mean?”
“Sure. So who are they?”
“Well, they were part of Murphy Chan’s crew, and he sends them out of town all the time for shit. That’s why I’m calling you. The one guy, I think you know his sister. Before I send my guys to rough her shit up and track the prick down for my money, I wanted to be sure I wasn’t stepping on any toes. Got some photos of the bitch, and she’s fucking hot.”
“Bethany?” he asked.
“Yes, that’s her name. What’s the deal? Does she have protection?”
Crossroads 5: Show Me What Love Is (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 8