by York, Marie
“Aren’t we all tourists just looking for an escape away from home, even if it is only for a couple hours?” He smiled, and I didn’t say anything back just offered a smile in return.
His hand found mine, and I slid my fingers between his. The rough feel of his hands were a contrast to the gentle touch he offered me now. My mind was still reeling from mine and Mackenzie’s fight, and my blood was still pumping, but a simple touch from Knox made me feel like my world was slowing down. The chaos was slipping away and, instead of holding onto it and dwelling, I let it slip away.
It had been nine years since I allowed myself to feel anything. Nine years since I went on a real date. Most of my relationships consisted of a hook up in a hotel room before the guy got on a plane, never to be heard from again. I didn’t know how to date. I knew it was a time when you got to know each other, but that would be breaking my cardinal rule. I didn’t let anyone get to know me.
My knee shook as I went over topics in my mind. The weather was always a go to. I could find a way to make a few sexual innuendos. Guys always seemed to like that. But this was Knox, and not some guy in the club I was trying to sweet talk to get a good tip.
I thought about what he said about the tourists and, finally, I just spoke what was on my mind. “I’ve lived in Vegas for four years now, and I still feel like a tourist. Like I don’t belong. But, I think it would be like that anywhere. It’s like I just exist, and Vegas is just a backdrop.”
“Have you ever felt like you belonged?” he asked.
I took a deep breath and stared out the window, watching the rocky desert pass us by. My mom’s face popped into my mind and then my dad’s. It was like a walk down memory lane to a time when I was happy and oblivious to the hell that was to come. “A long time ago.”
“When your parents were still alive?”
I turned away from the window, and he glanced over at me, our eyes catching briefly. “Yes,” I admitted.
“Tell me about it.”
It was something I didn’t like to think about, let alone speak of out loud. The memories weren’t happy. They were hot daggers to the heart that gutted my insides, and made me hate myself even more. Knox squeezed my hand, and it was all that it took. That slight gesture of comfort made me feel safe in the confines of his truck. Made me feel like it was okay to talk about a past I did everything in my power to forget.
“We lived in California, just outside San Francisco, in a smaller town. It wasn’t a tiny house, but it wasn’t huge either. It was perfect. There was a wraparound porch and I would spend so many nights sitting on the swinging seat that my dad hung himself, daydreaming about my future, and all the places I would see. Mom would come out with a two mugs: one with tea for her, and the other hot chocolate. She would join me, and I would tell her about my day and how I couldn’t wait to go away to college. Time was nonexistent, then. I didn’t think about it at all. Whether we talked for ten minutes, or two hours, it didn’t matter because we always had tomorrow to talk some more. At least, I thought we did…” My words faltered as emotion welled up inside, threatening to pour out.
There was a reason I didn’t talk about my mom. It hurt too fucking much.
“Moms are always good listeners,” Knox said, and I appreciated him not pressing me further. “My mom’s the best. Though, she also likes to lecture,” he continued, letting me pull myself together as he spoke so lovingly of his mother.
Before I knew it, he was handing his keys off to a valet, and he was helping me out of his truck. “Let’s walk,” he said, taking my hand, and guiding me toward the strip. During the day, it didn’t pack the same punch as it did when it was all lit up with every color and variation. It was just another street with tall buildings and crowds.
I gave him a confused look as we walked hand in hand.
“What?” he asked.
“I’m just surprised Mr. Moneybags is walking amongst the common folk,” I joked.
“I like to people watch. It helps keep me grounded. I might have money, but that doesn’t mean I’m better than any of these people. Coming here reminds me of that. It’s easy to get caught up in the fantasy world, but, really, it’s just stuff and it’s nice to get away from it for awhile. Besides, we’re all human just trying to survive another day.”
A girl a few feet in front of us clutched her friends arm, spinning her toward us. “Oh. My. God. Is that Knox McArthur?” she said loud enough to hear, but not loud enough to cause a commotion. “Oh my God, it is! It is!”
“Evening, ladies,” Knox said as we passed, offering them a wink.
“He winked at us!” the friend screamed out, fanning herself with her hand.
“Quick! Take his picture!”
Knox paused and then turned, flexing his arms. A flash followed, and then more giggles.
He spun back to me, draping his arm across my shoulders, and pulling me tight against him. I laughed. “What?” he asked, making me laugh louder.
“Keeps you grounded, huh?” I managed to get out.
His hand slid down my arm to my side, and tickled me. I twisted my body to get away and only pushed myself further into him. He wrapped both arms around me as I squirmed and laughed.
“I can’t help that people love me,” he said against my ear as his fingers came to a halt. He held me close, walking behind me like we were one set of legs.
I shifted my head to see him, and he looked down at me. His dark eyes bore into mine, and I swore I could lose myself in them forever if I allowed it. “You make it easy.” The words slipped out effortlessly. As easy as a morning greeting or a friendly goodbye.
Knox offered me his signature smirk and kissed my forehead. “What can I say? I’m awesome.”
I reached behind me and pitched his stomach. He jumped back, and glanced up with playful shock in his eyes. His lip curled up and I backed away slowly, suspecting his next move. I could see him gearing up, and I took off running down the strip.
Laughter poured out of me as I kept pace. Every person I passed looked at me as if I’d lost my mind, and maybe I had, but I didn’t care, because, for the first time in a very long time, I felt like I belonged somewhere.
Chapter 9
Knox
Her laughter was the sweetest sound I ever heard, beautiful and lively. It’s what I imagined she always sounded like before life was so cruel to her. It was a damn shame that circumstances hardened her so badly. She deserved better than that. But, so did so many others. Zoey didn’t deserve the hand she was dealt either, yet she got it anyway. Life was a total bitch, picking and choosing its victims at random. What Mila went through was unfortunate, but that didn’t mean things couldn’t change for her.
I chased after her, purposely letting her think she was faster than me. I really just wanted her to enjoy the moment as long as she could. And I was enjoying the way her ass swayed in those jean shorts. She had an end table ass that was perfectly round and begging for me to sink my fingers into the soft flesh. The thought propelled me forward and, as I caught up to her, I swept her off her feet. We spun around, her legs trailing behind before catching up and planting back down onto solid ground.
She was still laughing and dammit if it didn’t make me smile like a fucking idiot. Her arms linked around my neck, and she looked at me with those beautiful fuck-me eyes. “You caught me. Now what?”
I brushed her hair behind her ear, letting my finger trail slowly down to her neck. Her breath caught as my finger continued its path. “My bed. You naked and spread wide, waiting for me,” I said, unable to control my desires.
Her tongue dabbed her lip, and it took all the restraint I had not to crush my mouth to hers.
“I thought this was date? No food?”
“I’ll give you something to eat,” I said with a wink, and she rolled her eyes, which only turned me on more. “Look, I had every intention of taking you out to a nice restaurant, but we’re going to have to save that for another day because if I’m not inside of you soon, I might exp
lode.”
“We wouldn’t want that, now would we?” she said and took my hand, walking back in the direction of my truck.
My eyes lingered on her legs, admiring the shapely calf muscles and tight thighs. I imagined her thighs squeezing my head as I licked her tight little pussy. Her body convulsing beneath my mouth as I drove her to the edge, and then stopped just before she was about to come so I could fuck her into a pleasure-filled daze.
I handed the valet my ticket, and waited for him to pull the truck around. Mila turned toward me and cupped my cock, gently squeezing it, making me even fucking harder.
She stood on her tiptoes, and pressed her tits against my chest. “Mmm, I see you’re excited about something,” she said, hot against my ear, sending a chill down my neck.
I snaked my arm around her, grabbing a handful of her ass, and hauling her close so she could really feel how hard I was. “You have no idea.”
“Tell me,” she said, as she dragged her tongue across my lobe. She sucked it into her mouth, sliding it between her teeth and lightly biting.
My fingers dug deeper into her ass as I tried to keep myself from fucking her right there.
“Tell me what you want to do to me,” she said, pressing kisses to my neck.
“I want to worship every inch of your body. Suck and lick.” I pinched her nipple between my fingers. “ From here to…” Very slowly, I trailed my finger down her tit to her stomach to the hem of her jeans. I slipped my hand beneath the material, and swiped a finger across her pussy. “Here.”
The roar of my truck came up behind us, and I casually pulled my hand out, dipping it into my pants pocket. Mila’s eyes met mine, passion-filled, and crazed with lust. It was exactly how I wanted her.
“Your keys, sir,” the valet said, and I turned with a smile.
“Thank you.” I handed him the payment, plus an extra ten as Mila climbed into the truck.
“Oh, thank you, sir. That is very kind,” the valet said when he looked down at the cash in his hand.
“You’re welcome, buddy,” I said, patting him on the back as I took off toward the driver seat, my eyes solely stuck on Mila. She was shimmying in her seat, and had a mischievous grin on her lips. I hopped in, and went to put the truck in drive when my hand landed on red lace.
I hooked my finger around the band and held up the thong. A smile tugged at my lips, and I glanced over at her.
“They just get in the way,” she said with a shrug.
I grabbed her thigh and spread her wide. I pulled onto the street as I lifted a finger to her mouth. Her tongue snaked out, twirling around the tip, and then greedily taking it between her lips. She bobbed her head up and down, getting my finger wet and ready for her.
I pulled it out, dragging it down her lips, as she slumped into the seat. I slid between her legs, pushing a finger into her wetness. Her body arched as she let out a sexy-as-hell moan. She licked her lips, and latched onto my arm. She rocked back and forth, and side to side, controlling her own pleasure.
“That’s right, baby. Fuck my finger.”
“Oh god!” she screamed out, her body moving faster and harder.
Her head fell back, her body bucking toward release. I felt her muscles tighten and, just as she was about to come, I pulled out.
“What…” Her breaths came in short gasps, her chest rising and falling with each one. “Are you doing?” she finally managed.
“If you’re going to come, I want it to either be on my face or with my cock buried inside you.”
“Then you better hurry up, and get us to where we’re going,” she said, still breathing heavy.
“Your wish is my command,” I joked, as I pulled up to the black wrought iron gates that hid my house from the street. I hit the button that opened the gates, and drove up the long driveway to my six-car garage.
“Holy shit,” Mila said, sitting up in her seat and looking out the window. “You really are fucking loaded.”
I laughed as I watched her staring in awe.
“You have a fucking basketball court!” she exclaimed.
“Legal size.”
“I’d expect nothing less,” she joked. “I bet you have an Olympic-sized swimming pool, too.”
“How’d you know?”
“Are you kidding me?! I was joking.”
I winked. “Me too.”
She swatted my shoulder. “You ass.”
“I couldn’t help myself. I do have a pool, though, complete with a diving board and slide. You’re welcome to it any time you’d like.”
I pulled into the garage between the Bentley and the Beemer then hopped out to open Mila’s door.
“How many cars do you need?” Mila asked as she stepped down.
“The Bentley was a gift. Sebastian bought it for me for my twenty-fifth birthday. The Beemer, too. He gave me that the next year for my twenty-sixth birthday.”
“Wow, nice gifts,” Mila said, but I was already sick of talking. We had something we needed to finish. I hoisted her up, and she instantly wrapped her legs around my waist. I went right to the elevator that would bring us to the third floor where my bedroom was. “You have got to be kidding me,” she exclaimed as I stepped inside and pressed the up button.
“Stick with me, baby. I’m full of surprises.”
“You’re out of your mind is what you are.”
“Only when it comes to you,” I growled, as I pressed her back to the wall of the elevator and captured her mouth with mine. She moaned as I slid my tongue past the crease, and she met me thrust for thrust.
Her nails tangled in my hair as I ripped her shirt aside, and dipped my head to the swell of her tits. I dragged my tongue down the beautiful mound, and shoved the bra out of my way. I sucked her nipple into my mouth, and nibbled until it was a tight bud.
“Tell me what you want,” I said, hauling my mouth away from the soft flesh of her tits and bringing my lips to the crook of her neck.
“I want you,” she cried out.
“How do you want me?” I growled against her ear. I cupped her tit, massaging it.
“Any way I can get you,” she moaned.
“You want my cock inside your tight little pussy?”
I bit her nipple, and she screamed out. “Yes. Oh yes!”
The elevator doors opened, and I carried her to my bedroom. I kicked the door open, and went right to my massive bed, dropping Mila in the middle. I ripped my clothes off as she discarded hers. I crawled on top of her, urging her legs apart with my knee.
She grabbed the back of my head, and pulled me down to her mouth. Her tongue swiped at my bottom lip, and then dipped inside. She was driving me fucking crazy. I had been with many women, but none of them were ever able to undo me the way Mila did.
“Fuck me,” she breathed. “Please.”
Her begging went right to my cock, making it rock solid. I cupped her face, wanting to see her as my cock slid into her. Her eyes were wild with lust, pleading with me to give her what she wanted. I didn’t waste another second. I thrust into her, hard and deep.
She gasped, and her body arched into me. I held her close, as I pumped in and out of her. Her muscles tightened almost instantly, desperate for the release I denied her earlier. I found her swollen nub with my thumb and rubbed circles. A loud moan fell from her lips, and I bent down muffling the noise between our lips.
Her hand latched onto my head, and she held my forehead to hers, as our motions synced and became one.
“Come for me, baby.”
She nodded and closed her eyes.
“No, open your eyes,” I demanded. “I want you to know who is making you come.”
“I know,” she murmured. “It’s only you.”
“Good girl,” I said, grabbing her waist and flipping her until she straddled me. I sat on the edge of the bed, her legs securely locked around me. Our bodies were slick against each other, making it easy to continue our rhythm. “Now, come for me.”
She rocked into me, her eyes bori
ng into mine. Her nose twitched, and then her lip, until her whole body was convulsing against me. Her head fell against mine, and I reached up, knotting my fingers in her hair.
“That’s right, baby,” I said, holding her while she rode out each delicious wave. When she fell limply against my chest, I stood up and pumped into her. She cried out, her nails digging into my back, as I delivered blow after blow. My balls tightened and, with one final thrust, I shot my seed deep inside her.
Chapter 10
Mila
I had been with Knox almost every day since that day I almost killed Mackenzie. She still wasn’t speaking to me, even though she still expected me to do her laundry and wash her fucking dishes. Our apartment was small, but, with the tension between the two of us, it seemed even smaller. It got to the point that I was happy to see her leave. Once she did, I could relax. Then, Knox would come over and I’d get to just be me. Not Starr the stripper, or Mila the mom. I was just me, and it felt good. I almost forgot what it was like.
Knox’s fight was two days away, and he was spending more time at the gym with his coach. He was training hard, and had put himself on a very strict diet. His self-discipline was honorable and something I respected.
The front door slammed shut, which meant Mackenzie had left for school. I peered out the blinds and made sure she got on the bus before making a second cup of coffee. There was a note on the counter, and I swiped it up. Post-it notes had become Mackenzie’s form of communication.
I looked at the black ink on the small yellow piece of paper. Need tampons.
God forbid she picked them up herself. I dropped the paper back on the counter, and went back to my coffee when my heart nearly stopped. I ran to the calendar, and started to count the days. Oh no. No. No. No.
I counted again because I clearly counted wrong. But, no matter how many times I recounted, it always came up the same.
It had been thirty-five days since my last period. My period was like clockwork. Always had been ever since I went on the pill at eighteen. Knox and I hadn’t used condoms, too caught up in the moment to remember. But, I’m on the pill. I couldn’t get pregnant.