Erik's Absolution

by Kristine Allen

  “Wow. Nice room. Can I use the bathroom real quick?” He showed me where it was, and I closed the door. I looked in the large mirror over the double sink and placed my cool hands over my burning cheeks. Second thoughts bombarded me.

  Shit, what was I doing? Maybe I should just tell him I wanted to go home. Be that girl. Ugh! I was so stupid. Sure, I could put on the character for the stage, but I was no seductress. Maybe he thought that was the real me on stage and he would be sadly disappointed.

  Fuck it. I’m doing this.

  After taking care of my bathroom business, I washed my hands and splashed cool water on my face before opening the door into the bedroom. Hacker had shed his cut, and it rested on the chest at the foot of his bed. He stood in his tight black T-shirt with his jeans slung low on his hips, leaning against the wall by the bathroom door. His gaze shifted from my face and slide over my body, giving me chills as if it was his hands were skimming my curves. My heart raced, and I knew I should make sure he knew what he was getting. Or maybe I could pull off Sparkle and just enjoy this for what it was—a one-night, kick-ass experience.

  He pushed off the wall, stepped toward me with his green-blue eyes intense, and slid his fingers into my hair, pulling my face closer to his. My hands pressed against his chest and gripped his T-shirt, pulling him closer to me as his tongue slipped past my lips, entering in an erotic dance with mine. Without conscious thought, my hands had grasped the bottom of his shirt and tugged it upward. He took the shirt from me, pulled it over his head, and tossed it to the floor before reaching for my jacket to slide it off my shoulders, letting it drop to the floor with his shirt.

  Awww, hell, it looks like we’re doing this thing. Because there was no way I could have said no after seeing his sculpted body and the beautiful swirling patterns of his ink as it flowed over his shoulders and onto his chest. His chest had two swooping swallows, with a smaller scroll tattoo over his heart, which had flowing words in the tattered scroll, reading “Never held, but never forgotten” with a date. I made a mental note to ask about it later. Pulling my shirt over my head, I told myself, like it or not, I was all in now.

  “Hook, Line & Sinker”—Royal Blood

  AFTER SHE PULLED HER shirt over her head, I scooped her up and dropped her in the center of my bed. She was damn near spilling out of her bra, and I knew I had to get that scrap of lace, and everything else that separated her from me… off. Slowly, I climbed on the bed and kissed the top of her tits before slipping my tongue down under the lace edge. My hand slid underneath her and unhooked her bra, allowing me to slide it off her shoulders and toss it to the side. Everything after that was a blur until we were laying naked together with our tongues and legs tangled. My hands had roamed every inch of her I could reach.

  Her skin was like silk over her toned, tight body. She took good care of herself and it showed. Hell, she was a dancer, but anyone who watched her performances knew she was more than a stripper; she was an artist on stage. My hand slid slowly up the inside of her thigh to cup her mound. Her breathing became erratic as I ran my fingers through her silky folds, feeling for the telltale wetness indicating we were on the same page with this. Thank fucking God.

  My fingers slid through her slippery moisture, teasing her until she showed me she couldn’t handle much more. When I inserted one finger into her tight warmth, she moaned and bit my bottom lip. Her tongue then ran along it before she drew it into her mouth.

  Without breaking the contact of our lips, I reached into my nightstand and pulled a condom from the drawer. So glad I had tossed a few in there on a whim. Fuck, I had wanted to take my time with her and enjoy every inch of her before we went further, but she was driving me crazy with need. She must have heard my rustling around in the drawer and the crinkle of the wrapper as I tried to open it with both hands over her head because she reached up and took it from me to open it. A moan slipped from me as she reached between us, grabbed my cock in one hand, and slowly rolled it down my length.

  As the tip of my cock slid up and down through her wet center, she squeezed her knees tightly, panting. Her hands framed my face, and she breathlessly whispered, “Wait!” Well, fuck me running. I was going to have blue balls from hell from this girl.

  “Hacker, God, I’m sorry, I just need you to understand I don’t usually do this. I mean, I’ve done this before, I’m not a virgin or anything, but you know…. It’s been awhile. For me. I don’t sleep with customers. Or your brothers. In the club, I mean. God, I’m sorry. I’m not trying to ruin the mood. I just….” Her cheeks flushed a cute pink as she rambled.

  “It’s okay, baby. If you don’t want to, we can stop. I ain’t gonna lie, my dick and balls aren’t gonna be too happy, but I’m a big boy, and I’ve never forced a woman before. I’m certainly not going to start now. It’s all right.” When I made a move to get off her, she grabbed my upper arm and the back of my neck, pulling me closer.

  “No, I didn’t mean I don’t want to. I just wanted you to know I’m not some cheap slut just because I dance on that stage. That’s all.” Her eyes glittered with unshed tears, and I gathered her close with my arms tucked underneath her, my hands fisting in her hair. My lips brushed along her neck and up to her earlobe, my teeth tugging it gently before I whispered in her ear.

  “I know you haven’t been with any of my brothers. You think we don’t talk? You think every one of them without an old lady hasn’t wanted to be in my position? You’re like the elusive wisp of smoke everyone tries to catch. The general consensus was you were in a serious relationship or felt you were too good for anyone from the club.” Taking a deep breath, I spelled it out.

  “Look, I feel I need to be honest with you too. You need to understand that this is just… well… what it is. I’m not looking for a relationship. That’s just not me. Quite frankly, I’m an asshole with women.” Not that there had been that many, probably because of my general asshole-like qualities. “If you’re looking for sunshine, roses, the white picket fence, 2.2 kids and a puppy, you’re looking in the wrong place. Are you okay with that?” My breath teased her skin as I spoke.

  Her legs finally fell open and her hips raised toward me, pushing me against her heated core again. When she whispered, “I want you.” It was all I could do not to slam deep in her. She had no idea how hard it was to hold myself in check and enter her with slow deliberation. As I slid just partway in, she gasped and tensed.

  “It’s okay, baby. Relax. Breathe.” My muscles were quivering with the control I was exerting by holding myself back. God knew I wasn’t small, and she was so fucking tight. When I felt her body start to relax against me, I slid further in, allowing her to acclimate to my intrusion into her core.

  “I’m good,” she breathed as her legs wrapped around my hips and thighs, tugging me closer to her warmth until I was completely buried balls deep in her hot, constricted sheath. Jesus, had any other woman ever felt this good?

  Being a normal man, even though I may not have had a harem of women in my past, I still loved sex. Let’s face it, sex feels good. Before her, I would have said one pussy was as good as another when your dick was buried in them. Tonight was making a liar of me if I had ever said that. She was like sinking into nirvana. Her toned arms and legs were entangled with mine, and her sheath pulsed around me. Softly, I kissed her once more before I began to move in and out of her heavenly warmth. With each stroke out, I found myself rushing to bury myself back in her. The pleasure was simply indescribable.

  “You feel so. Fucking. Good.” Each word was punctuated by a grunt I couldn’t suppress.

  Our bodies were both already slick with sweat as I worked to maintain a steady rhythm. My mouth nipped and licked along her body until I was able to pull her nipple between my lips and draw her deep into my mouth. She tasted salty and sweet at the same time as my tongue swirled around her breast. My mouth released the one breast with a pop, and I devoured the other. Her fingers tightened on my back before sliding down to grip my ass. Vaguely, I registere
d her nails digging in as I continued to thrust into her luscious warmth.

  My lips and teeth worked back up to her neck and then to her mouth where I captured her lips with my own. It was like I couldn’t get enough of her taste… her feel… her scent. I wanted to consume her. There was no doubt she was about to come when her body tensed. Her head arched back, pressing into the pillow, and her breasts pressed up into my chest. Speeding up, I thrust deep into her, eliciting a breathy groan from her each time my cock bottomed out in her. God, she needed to come soon because I could feel myself getting closer to detonating with each little gasp slipping from her kiss-swollen lips. Jesus H. Christ, it wouldn’t be long.

  “God, baby, come for me. I want to feel that pussy tightening around my cock until I lose myself in you,” I growled into her mouth. As soon as I felt her grind against me while her walls clenched and throbbed around my cock, I was done for. Thrusting deep one last time, my head back with gritted teeth, my own body tensed with the explosion from my cock. Coming with her was sheer rapture running through my body like whitewater rapids crashing violently. When my body was done pulsing into her, I collapsed, grabbing her in my arms as I rolled to my back, leaving her so her leg was halfway over mine and her head was resting comfortably on my chest.

  My hand ran absently up and down her back as we lay there in silence. Not sure how she felt, but I felt like someone had rocked my world to the core. It had been a long time since I’d felt possessive. In fact, I had gone out of my way to remain detached in my sexual encounters for a reason, but as my hand stroked her satiny skin, a mantra ran through my head over and over. Mine… mine… mine…

  We lay quietly for long enough, I was sure she had fallen asleep. My mind wandered absently as I stared at the ceiling trying to make sense of how I was feeling. So when she raised her head, propping her chin on her fist over my chest, I was a little surprised.

  “So, I hate to be a party pooper, but I really need to get home.” Her pretty eyes blinked guileless at me. That was what I said I wanted, right? But if I was truly honest with myself, it disappointed me to hear she didn’t want to stay the night.

  What the hell? Since when did I want a woman to stay afterward? Usually, I was quite happy to kick their ass to the curb. Then again, I didn’t usually bring women here, it was only ever my room at the club. She was different, though. Special in a way that I didn’t want to examine too deeply. All my rules seemed to go out the window when it came to her. If I were honest, I also didn’t want her at the clubhouse where my brothers would drool over her. She was mine and I didn’t want to share her any more than I did because of her job. My hand slid down to briefly squeeze her ass cheek.

  “Well, hot stuff, you’re gonna have to get up if I need to get you back to your car. Or did you want me to drop you off at home? If you do, I could pick you up tomorrow night to take you to work and you could leave your car at the club for tonight. If you wanted. Unless….” Fuck! I did not almost ask her to stay. Did I? She rolled over and sat on the edge of the bed for a moment before she stood and looked at me over her shoulder.

  “I really do need to get my car, but thank you for the offer. And considering our agreement, it would probably not be advisable for me to stay.” Eyes drinking in her every movement, I watched her for a moment as she nervously gathered her scattered clothing and took them into the bathroom to clean up and change. Trying to keep my mind clear, I disposed of the condom in the trash by my bed and entered the bathroom after she came out dressed, to get a washcloth and clean up. As I pulled my jeans on and grabbed a clean Henley shirt, I watched her from the corner of my eye. She sat on the edge of the bed looking at her hands as they twisted in her lap. My boots on, I grabbed my cut and shrugged it on.

  “You okay?” Her eyes looked up at me, and I read anxiety and what I hoped wasn’t regret in them. My hand reached out to hers as she stood, and I wrapped her in my arms.

  “Yeah, it’s just been awhile, and I’m feeling a little ummm, trampy, I guess. The whole ‘one-night stand thing’ is always a little unnerving to me. Stupid, huh? Sorry. I don’t mean to get all emotional on you.” She stepped away from me. “I’m ready when you are.”

  I nodded, and we headed back out to my garage.

  “You want to take my car or are you okay with riding back on my bike?” Where was this considerate dickhead coming from? Damn. She bit her lip and looked at me with wide eyes before her mouth broke into a bright smile.

  “Would you mind the bike? I don’t know when I’ll ride one again, and I just, well, thought I would enjoy it while I could, you know?” When she smiled that big, bright, beautiful smile, I would have carried her on foot if she asked. I chuckled at her eagerness to ride despite the cooler temps of the evening.

  “A woman after my own heart. Let’s go.” The garage door rolled up, and I backed the bike out, turning it around in the driveway. When she climbed on and snuggled up close to my back, it felt like the most natural feeling in the world. One I needed to squash. For both our sakes.

  We took off into the night, and I swore I felt the slight rumbled of laughter vibrate through my back from her chest.

  “Believer”—Imagine Dragons

  AS WE GOT CLOSER to the club, my heart ached at the thought of the night ending. Hacker was an attentive and proficient lover. The pleasant ache between my legs was a reminder of how amazing the night had been. It was almost closing time, and there were still a parking lot full of cars and bikes tonight. He pulled up behind my car and shut off his bike. As I climbed off, I was left feeling awkward and unsure of what to do or say. With my bag clutched tight to my abdomen, I looked at the ground and then up into his beautiful eyes.

  “So, umm, thanks. Tonight was nice.”

  “Just nice? Damn, I must be slipping.” His words and smirk broke the tension, and I laughed.

  “So yeah, it was better than nice. Really amazing, actually. Thank you for the drink and the absolutely amazing sex and the ride back. How about that?” My smile couldn’t be suppressed as I took in his dimple and the laughter in his eyes.

  In a moment of bravery, I leaned over to press a kiss on his full lips. I was trying to etch every detail of tonight in my head so I could pull it out and live it again on those lonely nights on my couch at home. My mind knew we couldn’t repeat this night. Not with everything going on in my life. My heart, on the other hand, was a fanciful, hopeful creature.

  Besides, he had been honest with me. He and the guys from the MC didn’t seem like the relationship type. Of course, that didn’t mean a girl couldn’t dream, and hell, after that performance, I would’ve loved to have a repeat with him. Any damn time he wanted. Damn. With a sigh, I walked to my car.

  After I unlocked my door and tossed my bag to the passenger seat, I looked over at him again. He was still sitting silently on his bike watching me with hungry eyes. So, I gave him a little wave and climbed into the car, locking the door and turning the key to start it. Only it sounded sluggish, and then it just clicked. I tried it again. Still nothing. What the hell? Even though I knew it wasn’t going to be any different, I tried again. Nothing.

  Startled, I jumped at the tapping on my window. Hacker’s face looked at me as he leaned down to gaze in the window, and I opened the door.

  “My car doesn’t want to start.” Duh. I’m sure he could tell that by listening to the fact that my car wasn’t running. Sometimes I swore I opened my mouth and stupid just rolled right on out. Ugh!

  “Try it again and let me listen.” I did, and he said, “Sounds like your battery or maybe your starter. How old is your battery?” Seriously? Should I know that?

  “Ummm, I got it with the car? But the car was new when I got it.” How long did a battery last? I thought they could last pretty much forever since the alternator kept charging it. Right?

  “Yeah, so it’s probably your battery. You’re lucky it lasted this long.” Shithead smirked at me, and I wanted to smack him. “If I had brought my car, we could try to jump you, but
I can’t with my bike. If you want, I can give you a ride home and have one of the prospects pick up your car in the morning, check it out, and change out the battery or starter at the shop. I’ll have them drop it at your house when it’s done.”

  Shit. It didn’t look like I had much of a choice. My insurance was bare minimum and covered neither a tow, nor a starter or battery replacement. Also, I didn’t really have the extra cash for repairs, but I didn’t want to admit that to him. It was embarrassing. I would just have to cut back on the grocery budget and eat smaller meals. Hopefully Matt wouldn’t notice, or he’d be on my ass for that too.

  Sighing in defeat, I climbed back out of my car after grabbing my tote from the seat. Dammit. This was just my luck. Why did it always feel as if the gods were conspiring against me?

  “I’m sorry. I know you would much rather be going back home to bed. I can call a taxi and probably get a ride over to your shop before they close tomorrow, so I can pay for it. I don’t want you to go out of your way any more than you already have. It’s not your responsibility. I appreciate your help with this, though. Thanks.” He leaned his arms on either side of me on the roof of my car, trapping me up against the side.

  “It’s no bother at all, really,” he said, tipping his head to the side and ducking down a little to be able to look in my downcast eyes. When I raised my gaze to him, he straightened only to lean toward me until his lips brushed mine as he spoke. “I’ll just have to find a way for you to make it up to me.” I caught the slight smile before he kissed me with a gentleness I wasn’t expecting.