Heartbreaker (Unbreakable #1)

by Kat Bastion

  “Not the same,” he repeated. “This” —he slid his index fingers under the shoulder straps and tugged, peeling the thin fabric down until my breasts were exposed— “you wore for you…for me.”

  I had, I thought as I leaned forward, sinking the cleaned-off spoon back into the nut butter jar. I’d awoken in an amazing mood, partly because of the late-night intervention he’d convened outside of the art gallery; my heart still melted at the gesture. And the morning had begun all warm and sunshiny. Such a glorious day demanded my favorite sundress.

  Biting coldness shocked one nipple and I gasped.

  When I pulled back to glance down, he dolloped a larger freezing spoonful of preserves higher up on my other breast and stared with fascination as it slid down toward the hardened peak.

  My breaths shallowed, rising and falling as we both waited with heady anticipation.

  A fierce throb began an insistent rhythm between my legs.

  Finally, he lunged forward. Capturing my nipple into his warm mouth right as the ice-cold jam collided with it.

  A low moan escaped my throat as he sucked. When he switched sides, laving the stickiness off my other nipple, I buried my hands into his hair, gripping the roots.

  My breaths grew ragged.

  My heart raced.

  My head spun.

  My entire body ached for him from my skin to my bones. And we hadn’t even moved from second base yet.

  He pulled back, gaze roving over my half-naked state, eyes wild. “You need more food?”

  Biting my lip, I gave a slow headshake. “No.”

  I would’ve starved for days for a chance to devour him.

  On a deep inhale, he bent an arm up and behind his back, gripped his T-shirt, and yanked it over his head before tossing it behind me. I leaned back on my arms, a slight smile curving my lips, as I watched his muscles bunch and flex while he shucked off his jeans.

  When he fully straightened again, his erection bobbed between us, and my breath caught at the beauty of him.

  He leaned his face down a little, into my line of sight.

  “You sure?” His voice grew husky. “You look…hungry.”

  “Ravenous.” I pressed a hand to his warm chest, over his thundering heart. “For you.”

  I gripped his shoulders, pulling myself toward him and off the edge of the table, dress crumpling around my hips. Sliding down his body, I dotted the heated skin of his chest with tender kisses. Over his rock hard abs, I opened my mouth, drawing the taut skin between my lips with gentle suction.

  His fingers speared into my hair when I nuzzled the faint line of hair leading down from his navel with my nose. His breathing shallowed as I knelt lower and inhaled leisurely up along the crease of his groin while trailing with a light lick of my broadened tongue. Salty. Perfect.

  My hands curved around his thighs, upward, until I cupped the muscular globes of his ass. For a few seconds, I paused, turning my face toward his remarkable manhood. I closed my eyes, resting my cheek into the depression at his hip. As I held him in the intimate embrace, I inhaled his sexy musk, drawing it deep into my lungs. My body shuddered in recognition, craving him.

  His legs began to tremble. His hands cupped the back of my head, holding me to him.

  “Kiki.” My name rasped from his lips like the sweetest plea.

  When I glanced up, my gaze locked to his. Incredible depth of emotion shone in his eyes: need, want, hope, gratitude…love—a million unnamable things, all fragile and priceless. The same emotions cascaded through me, for him. I exhaled, willing him to feel it from me too.

  He sucked in a deep breath, eyes softening as he flexed his hands through my hair. He knew. We knew.

  I blinked heavily, then leaned forward, running my lips along his length from base to tip. Hands still firmly planted on his backside, I touched a gentle kiss to the broad head, gave a tender lick to the underside, then pressed tight lips around the tip and sucked, pulling him deep inside my mouth.

  His whole body shuddered on a low groan.

  Exquisite ache snapped through me, from his response, at our poignant connection—at the total control I had of over his pleasure. And all I wanted was to offer him more, make him happy, give the generous man who trusted me—body, heart, and soul—what he’d denied himself for so long.

  With a whimpering moan at the incredible desire building through me at the profound act, I eased back, darting my tongue out to lick as I went. When he nearly popped out, I paused to suck the flared head once, twice, then slowly surged forward once more.

  By the time I drew back again, I’d grown breathless, from both lack of oxygen and electrifying arousal.

  His choppy breaths huffed above me until he let out a loud growl and grasped my arms, tugging me upward.

  My tightened lips released him with a loud pop.

  “Need…you.” His guttural words were rasped out, barely decipherable.

  “I—” need you too…

  His lips crushed down onto mine, silencing me with a fevered kiss. Then he gripped my hips through my crumpled dress and lifted me up. I clamped my legs around his waist, stabbed my fingers into his hair, and kissed him back with all the passion I felt for him.

  The room suddenly spun as he whirled us around, bumping into the corner of the worktable then along its side edge. His rigid erection was trapped between us under my bunched-up dress, rubbing on my throbbing clit with every long stride he took.

  Two faster steps, then the room tilted as we tumbled together onto a couch.

  “Need…all…of you,” he grumbled at my ear before nipping at the lobe.

  Breaths reduced to shallow pants, vision hazing as blood rushed and pleasure ached, I watched him lean back and crouch over me. With impatient hands, he tugged my dress and panties off. The instant the material cleared my ankles, it disappeared behind him.

  His body covered mine, heated skin and bunching muscles. Soft lips brushed my mouth, his next kiss filled with tenderness, as if he wanted to learn me all over again, as if he asked me to be his.

  And I was.

  “I’m yours,” I murmured against his ear. “All of me.”

  Another shudder racked through his body at my declaration, like he’d needed to hear me say the words to feel it, believe it.

  With reverent deliberate motions, he took what I offered, nudging me open, then sliding powerfully inside with one smooth stroke. He brushed the hair out of my eyes and stared down at me, his darkened eyes sparkling. Our chests expanded and contracted as one, pressing our thumping hearts together. We belonged to each other. Had become one—in every way.

  Then we began to move.

  Breaths mingled between gasping kisses. Bodies arched in undulating rhythm. Hands gripped, hearts raced, pleasure burned and sizzled until on a cry, my orgasm exploded through me. He pressed his lips to my neck and let out a choked roar as his pulsed forth, seconds later.

  Minutes passed in lazy time as we laid there, floating back down to earth from somewhere up in the stratosphere. He sucked in a slow, deep breath, then let out a contented sigh. When his muscles relaxed further, he moved slightly to the side, shifting his crushing weight. I gripped him tighter with my arms and legs, rolling with him.

  No idea how long we laid like that. The dreamlike state we drifted into had warped time. And neither of us was in a hurry to go anywhere. Not to plan a party or worry about our complicated lives. Not even to make our long-forgotten breakfast.

  Whenever he twitched, like he’d fallen asleep, I’d snuggle closer. Then he’d band his arms tighter around me. Nonsensical cozy images filtered into my mind: foamy ocean waves lapping a sugar-sand beach, the sound of the wind rushing through the needles of a pine forest, lying in cool grass while the sun warmed my legs. Gradually, I came back to reality. And my favorite thing of them all rested right there in my arms.

  With a satisfied hum, I gripped him tighter once more, burrowing into his body heat.

  “Mmm. You smell so good.”

&
nbsp; “Hhhmmmph,” he grunted.

  “No, you do.” I pressed my nose to his hairline, above his temple. On a slow inhale, I drew in more of his delicious scent. “Smoky sweet, like toasted marshmallow. With a hint of spicy earth.”

  His chuckle rumbled out. “Thanks. I smell like a dirty marshmallow.”

  I smacked his stomach lightly. “Not at all what I meant.”

  He let out a snort. “You described a gooey burnt blob dropped into the dirt.”

  I skimmed my hand over his taut abs, sliding down along his side and tucking closer until I curved a hand possessively around his far hip and hooked a bent leg over his thigh. “Not a chance.” I pressed a gentle kiss to his chest. “I take great care of my smoking marshmallows. My hand would cradle below. Mouth watering, I’d want to taste. But not yet.” I brushed my lips over his skin. “Too hot.” I exhaled a slow sigh, leaning into his solid body. “Sex-on-a-stick hot.”

  His hand covered mine, fingers curling around to grasp it. Then he moved my hand toward me, lower, until he pressed my palm firmly over his rigid length. “I’ll show you sex” —he arched his pelvis into our hands— “on a stick.”

  Heat coiled through me, low and demanding. Even as humor teased my brain. “No. That is no stick.” I wrapped my hand around his impressive girth, fingertips not quite touching. “It’s a thick branch.”

  All of a sudden, the world flipped. His weight pressed over me. My body sank into the couch. “Not a branch.” The argument was growled against the column of my neck.

  I swallowed hard, wrapping my body around him. “No.”

  No description encompassed all that he was. He was the trunk, the tree, the whole damn forest, the continent below and the sky above. When he slid inside, inch by inch, all thoughts of comparison melted away.

  He became my whole world once again.

  Darren…

  Kiki backed into her bathroom, eyes widening. “Shouldn’t we start making calls for the party?”

  “Later,” I murmured, taking another step toward her.

  Steam fogged the mirrors.

  Water spattered the tiles.

  But the second Kiki stepped under the spray?

  Nothing else existed.

  I couldn’t get enough of her. Had denied what I’d needed for too long.

  And I now knew, I needed her.

  My brain short-circuited for further coherent thought. Dark glossy hair. Bright blue eyes. Pink smiling cheeks. Wet and naked…miles and miles of wet and naked.

  I crowded her through the spray, then pressed her against the tiles.

  Her smile drew together into a luscious purse of her lips as she blew out a breath.

  “Whatcha doin’, Darren? Hard to get clean this way.”

  “Dirty,” I growled, sliding my hands up her slick skin. “Always dirty first.”

  Her soft laughter was muffled by my hard kiss. Seconds later, her low moan vibrated.

  When I hoisted her up, she wrapped her legs around me, arching to trap my erection right where she needed it between our bodies. We kissed, exploring our mouths with hungry strokes as she slid her clit up and down my length.

  Her hands gripped fistfuls of hair at my scalp. Her bare heels dug in over my ass.

  When her breaths began to catch, her tiny whimpers growing louder, I gave her several hard, fast hip thrusts. On a held breath, her entire body froze, rigid. Then she orgasmed on an ear-splitting scream, echoes bouncing off the tiles.

  Before she could catch her next breath, I finally plunged deep inside her. She clung to me, her small hands nearly pulling my hair out, her tight body gripping my cock with hot spasms, until, on a deafening growl, I came.

  We stayed like that, pressed together as one against the cool tiles, hot water streaming down my back, steam billowing around us. Neither of us moved to break our tight hold. The intimacy we shared seemed so vital to my existence, I wanted to breathe it in and never exhale.

  But eventually, we let go. My body began the reluctant separation, slipping from hers. She released her grip on my hair and relaxed her legs down mine until she stood before me. And yet, we both kept a loose hold on one another, bodies trembling.

  Our breaths were labored, hearts still pounding.

  On a growl, I stole one last kiss, before reality fully set in.

  Clean first. Softball next.

  Then? We had a party to plan.

  Kiki…

  “Did you just shake your ass?” Darren slapped the softball into his glove again.

  I adjusted my grip on the bat, forcing my twitching lips to stay relaxed, feigning neutrality. After a deep inhale and slow exhale, I bent one knee then the other…again…knowing my short polka dot skirt flounced a little with each hip sway.

  My black cotton bikini-brief underwear were innocent. My intentions were not.

  “Did it distract you?” I called out, not caring who overheard.

  “No,” he scoffed.

  I finally let my lips curve into a smile and slowly arced the bat around until the tip pointed toward the outfield, exactly where I planned to launch that ball.

  “Liar,” I muttered so no one could hear, but mouthed big enough for him to know exactly what I’d said.

  He reached up, pinched the bill of his baseball cap, then lowered it to hide his eyes.

  I grinned wider, stretched out a couple more practice arcs of the bat, then waited, coiled and ready to strike.

  Cheers came from the stands where spectators had gathered: neighbors, friends, family, customers of Loading Zone, and supporters of The Unity Foundation, our charity.

  “Bring it home, Kiki!” The clear shout came from Logan.

  She’d already rounded the bases.

  We’d decided to be on the same team. Against Cade’s team. Darren’s team.

  But we had a few ringers: aka Cade’s entire security staff. Even though they were more muscle than speed. No matter. We girls have cunning.

  With all the waiting, I stepped back from the plate, stretched my face up to the sky, shoulders back, chest out. After a deep breath, I tilted my head from side to side.

  “What is this? A Victoria’s Secret ad?” Cade snapped his gloved hand out and gave an impatient shrug from where he stood behind first base. “Quit flashing your goods at the world. Let’s play ball already!”

  Darren hunkered into position, hands curled into his chest, eyes hidden in the shadow of his hat.

  His breathing changed.

  Deep in, in, in…

  Slow out, out, out.

  Measured. Controlled.

  Barely…

  Okay. I’d done my obligatory duty. Gotten into Darren’s head.

  I stepped to the plate again, choked up on the bat, kicked my toe into the dirt, then coiled my arms up and over until the wide stretch of wood hovered behind my ear once again.

  The truth was, he’d gotten into my head, bad. Under my skin. Into my heart.

  We’d be returning to the harsh reality of my life soon enough. After the game, we planned to enact his strategy to save me from homelessness.

  But for now?

  I intended to stay in our blissful honeymoon-fantasy bubble for as long as humanly possible.

  Darren…

  “Don’t you want something to eat?” Cade watched as Hannah put down her menu.

  “You know what I want.” Hannah closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

  Cade gathered her into his arms and murmured, “I’m beginning to think you have a cinnamon bun in that oven instead of our baby.”

  My gaze shot to Kiki.

  She gave a slight nod. Clearly she’d overheard it too.

  As always after the game, most of us ended up at Lila’s. The neighborhood café was built into the lower level of a century-old house. The furnishings were quaint and unassuming. But the food came straight from heaven.

  The screen door slammed shut behind Lila. She had a fierce expression on her face and brandished a broom like a weapon. The curvy woman reminde
d me of a Southern grandmother: ruddy cheeks, snow-white hair pulled into a loose bun, often smiling, regularly gossiping.

  “What’s all the racket?” Lila’s brother called from the kitchen through the open counter.

  “Nothin’, Willard.” She leaned the broom into a corner near the bathroom. “Jus’ the IRS decidin’ they wanted to stalk one of our own.” When she walked by, she gave a pat to Kiki’s shoulder. “Don’t you fret none, dear. I chased him off right good.”

  Kiki blinked. “Hold up…what?”

  “The I. R. S.” She punctuated each letter with disdain as she rolled her eyes toward the ceiling then Willard. “It gripes my gut them thinkin’ they can come anywhere and do anything. We pay our taxes, so leave us alone.”

  Kiki darted from our corner table and pressed her hands to the café’s front window. “The car’s pulling away!” She spun back around. “Did he mention his name, leave a business card?”

  “Sure did.” Lila plucked a card from her apron pocket. “He tossed this at me—right before my broom made contact.” She gave an emphatic nod. “I might should give his boss a call. Give’m a piece of my mind.”

  Kiki reached out, hand trembling slightly. “May I have the card?”

  “Suit yourself.” Lila handed it to her with a stern look. “Don’t let ’em bully you around.”

  Cade scowled. “How the hell did he find Kiki here?”

  “My phone calls.” Kiki muttered absently while she sat beside me again, staring at the card. “Timothy Williams,” she whispered.

  After a beat of silence, I put a hand over hers. “Know him?”

  “Yeah.” Her gaze met mine. “He’s the agent assigned to my case. I gave him a few places to track me down if he couldn’t find me at the warehouse.”

  She took a deep breath, eyes lighting up as the corners of her lips twitched.

  I gripped her hand. “You thinking what I’m thinking?”

  “Damn, I hope so.” She finally broke into a smile.

  “Well?” I nodded at the card. “What are you waiting for? Call the man.”

  I pounded a flattened hand on the table a few times and stood. “Listen up!” I scanned the room to make sure her brother and sisters were paying attention.