by Rie Warren
She let me caress along her arm so I could pull her closer, sheltering her with my body. Only then did the tension ease from her shoulders.
“LaForge won’t take no for answer.”
I knew how to make sure he’d take no, with my fist making it so. “What’d he say to you this morning, babe?”
She wiggled closer in my embrace but wouldn’t look at me, didn’t answer me. Instead she tipped her wineglass up for a long drink.
“You’ve gotta tell me. If you don’t, I’m gonna throttle it out of LaForge.” I held my rage at bay, barely, because I was all about the comfort, but I couldn’t stop from gritting my teeth.
“The usual. He’s just findin’ new ways to deliver the message that if I don’t sign with his agency, he’ll bring me down.”
Lifting her chin, I stared hard into her eyes. “Something else you’re not tellin’ me here?”
Her gaze skated aside and she shook her head. Suspicion crawled all over my skin. But I’d let it slide until tomorrow, because I was a selfish SOB, and if Leelee was talking to me again, I didn’t want to rock the boat by throwing around a bunch of macho vibes.
I settled for slow strokes up and down Leelee’s side. After several long minutes, she purred contentedly against me. We had a couple more drinks, shared a basket of Buffalo wings, fighting over the last celery stick and blue cheese dressing. I almost gagged when she dumped half a bottle of ketchup on our order of fries. I smiled when she belatedly interrogated the bartender about what brand of ketchup it was, because she hated Hunts and preferred Heinz.
I complained about carburetors and handsy female customers, to which she nodded in understanding, even talking shop with me. She cursed about writer’s block and handsy male agents . . . and I knew exactly what she was talking about. She told me about Sunday dinners with her folks—usually ending up in the garage with her dad as they fiddled with his latest project—just like me and the Stone’s gang all converging at Ma’s once a month. Leelee lived alone in the condo she and Patrick the Fuckstick had purchased. She’d replaced his candy-ass with one feisty kitten named Mews. Writing and her girlfriends were her life, just like JJ and the guys were mine.
It was easy, being with her, but beneath our innocent, getting-to-know-you conversation, the sexual current raced headlong. The compulsion to kiss her was so strong, I stared at her lips. I remembered licking the bow-shape. I couldn’t forget how she’d opened that pretty mouth and sucked on both my balls.
The din of the crowded bar gradually drifted away. It was getting late; tomorrow was the book fair. Writers and readers wanted a fresh start for a day of pimping, promoting, autographs, freebies.
It was time for last call when I heard the music piped in from the speakers, Leelee and I the only ones left in the place. Soft strains of jazz drifted over us, and I recognized the Chet Baker tune.
We faced one another on our stools, Leelee’s knees pressed between my thighs, while she talked about her plans for the sequel to Ride. Her hands waved in the air as she explained the next chapter in Jase and Avery’s lives.
When I heard the next song, “Alone Together”, I interrupted her, softly kissing the lips that called to me.
Dark forest green eyes widened on mine when I pulled away.
“This song reminds me of my folks.” Drifting my fingers lightly through her hair, I teased out the curls.
“What were they like together?”
“I grew up on music like this. Ma and Dad were all about dancing, the old crooners, you know?”
“You get your singing voice from him.” Leelee’s fingertips trailed a line of fire down my arm until she held my hand, bringing it to her mouth for a kiss on each of my knuckles.
Her simple sweet touch blew me away.
“Nah, he was much better than me. It’s just one of the things I hold onto about them. I remember one night at the garage after it was closed . . . I was eight or so. We’d had take-out in the reception so Dad could finish up an order while Ma completed some invoices. I’d fallen asleep on three chairs pulled together, clean coveralls for my blanket, the smell of oil in my nose. The garage has always been a second home.”
Leelee’s smile grew. “Me too, at my parents. I used to wander into the garage during naptime. Mom wasn’t a fan, but she finally broke down and made up a pallet with my favorite blankets in there.”
“Goddamn. Can you get any more perfect?” The heat of the fire stoked inside my chest.
“Shush, now. You’ll make me blush.”
I grinned when more heat crept up her cheeks in spite of her words. “I woke up alone in the dark. Remember, babe, I wasn’t always the rough, tough, buff dude you see now.”
Slapping my shoulder, she rolled her eyes. “Please.”
I captured her hand and nuzzled the soft skin of her wrist, drugging myself on her warmth as the song spun me into memories. The trumpet’s slow sensual music wafted around us, weaving us inside a spell. “I crept behind the desk, and that’s when I heard him singing. That’s how Dad put me to sleep, same as I do with the kid.”
The higher notes of the song dragged us closer until we were almost kissing.
“I tiptoed to the door of the first bay, and there they were. Dad was singing this song to Ma. He swirled her around between two cars on lifts, over the grease-stained floor with no candles and no orchestra. No one but the two of them.”
I’d never imagined having what they shared.
“What a beautiful memory.” Her rosebud lips burst into a teasing smile. “But I figured you for more of Chili Peppers fan.”
“Chet Baker, old school all the way.” I leaned in those last few inches, licking the crest of her mouth, snicking her with a gentle bite of teeth.
“That explains the fedora then.”
I tugged the brim lower before angling in for another short pull on her lips.
She moved closer to whisper, “And it explains the Dancing with the Stars moves. You really are a romantic.”
I never would’ve thought so before her. “Only for you, babe.”
This is it. The feeling of being all alone, together. It raced up my spine and pounded through my body, slamming right into my heart. What my folks had, I’d only experienced with Leelee. The night of the tango, in a roomful of people, we’d been intent only on each other. She was heaven in my arms and I wanted nothing more, no one else.
“You miss your dad.” Her fingertips rasped against the stubble on my jaw.
I flipped my hat onto the bar. “All the damn time. But I don’t want to miss you. Not tomorrow, not the next day.”
She shifted off the stool, offering her hand. “Dance with me.”
“I think that’s my line.” I brought her hand to my chest.
Warm and soft, her hip filled my palm, her skirt rustling between us as I stood. Leaning down, I nipped her shoulder, drinking her in.
“I’m re-writing it.” Her body aligned perfectly with mine.
“For All We Know” began. There was nothing but the song and the sway of our bodies around the emptied room. Bartenders watched, quieting their movements as they cleaned up around us.
Wrapped around each other, we danced. Her hand skimmed up my back, mine slipped to her neck. Our lips hovered but no kisses were taken.
Leelee’s cheek lay against mine—her soft to my rough. “Sing to me?”
No candles, no one else, my voice rumbled with the rich tones of old times. There was no fancy footwork, only feeling. And she felt so fucking good in my arms.
The music ended slowly. My hands snuck up her back, holding her against me, unwilling to let go.
The seduction broke when Leelee left my arms. She spoke softly, her voice filled with regret. “This doesn’t change anything. I can’t do this, Stone. Not after Patrick, and I don’t wanna get between you and Nicky. I won’t be burned again.”
I’d made her feel good for all of a few hours. I wanted to do that for a lifetime. I felt as empty as the room we stood in. Tossing a few b
ills on the bar, I took up my hat.
“Can I walk you to your room?”
“No. No, this time you can’t.” Her head held high, no looking back, she strode through the doors.
Even though I said I wouldn’t, I watched the girl of my dreams walk away from me one more time.
The bartender rapped his knuckles down. “Closing time, bud.”
Isn’t that always the way?
Twelve
Friday: Thrown a Bone
DETERMINED NOT TO BE a stalker-gawker—that guy—I gave Leelee a ten-minute lead before I began my trudge upstairs. The elevator dinged and as the doors opened Leelee barreled straight out into me. I caught her as she fell into my arms.
“What is it?”
“He was there, waiting by my door.” Her eyes were wild.
“The fuck did he do?” Rage pumped through me, pure and primal. “You need to report him. Right now. I’ll go with you.” My teeth were clenched so tight I could barely scrape out the words.
“I can’t.” Her voice was a mere whisper.
“Why the hell not?”
“Because I can’t afford to piss him off! He’s in with the old boy network. He has connections, he’s at all the conventions. He could really screw up my future . . . and Nicky’s too.”
“He mentioned Nicky?”
“Yes. He’s scamming some kind of smear campaign. He knows exactly who Nicky is, and that you’re supposed to be his partner, but he said he’s not falling for it.”
Fuck. The truth was so simple but it could end up being a big wrecking ball to Nicky’s career. I couldn’t blow his cover in public—he’d cultivated his gay persona for years. Then there was my slim hope with Leelee coming down like a roof on top of my head. If her no second chances rule applied to that no-good liar Patrick, I was certain I’d be next on her shit list as soon as she found out the truth.
“Fine.” My jaw jumped. “You’re staying in my room tonight.” And I’m gonna pummel LaForge’s face tomorrow. Bright and early. And maybe all damn day long.
“How’s that gonna work, with you and Nicky?”
“I don’t know, babe. You take the bed, I’ll sleep on the floor, Nicky can have the couch.”
When we reached the door, I slid the key card home and ushered her inside. Nicky looked over from tap-tap-tapping on his laptop then closed it down and stood up. Leelee shuffled backward into me and I grasped her around the waist.
“What’s up?” he asked.
“She’s staying with us tonight.”
Turning into me, Leelee said, “This isn’t a good idea.”
“LaForge is darkening her door, and I don’t think Leelee should be alone tonight.” I kept my arm right where it was around her waist.
“Probably not.” Packing up his computer, phone, and cords, he crossed to us. Leveling his gaze on Leelee, he said, “I think we got off on the wrong foot, but Josh’ll rectify that soon. Have a good night, y’all.”
He brushed past me to the door. I was right behind him. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Leaving you to it.” He gripped the back of my neck and squeezed. “Don’t say I never did nothing for you, man.”
I slapped him on the shoulder in thanks and watched him leave. Damn. I owed him, big time.
“He left?” Leelee spun toward me when I came back into the room.
“Yeah.”
“Why? Why would he do that?”
I placed the fedora on the desk, pulling a hand down the back of my neck. “Because he knows the truth.”
“So I’m the only one in the dark here?”
I was at her side in an instant, cradling her close. “Not for long. You’ve gotta trust me on this.”
“Well, I guess it won’t hurt to stay the night.” She gave me her best glare then sent it around the room with a harrumph. “This place sure is tidy for two guys.”
“I suppose so, compared to the detonation zone of your room.”
I managed to step back before her fist made contact with my stomach. “That was uncalled for, Stone.”
“Hey, I call it like I see it, lady.” I winked.
She stood beside the bed, eyeing the fluffed pillows. “I don’t have anything to sleep in.”
Because that was a problem. Naked was definitely preferable, but I figured I was lucky if I could get lucky later. Besides, it wasn’t about that right now. I’d just watched the woman who held my heart in her hands walk away, now I had one last chance with her.
“Sit,” I said.
She blinked at me before doing as I bade. “What about Nicky?”
I stripped off my shirt and crouched at her feet. “I already told you, it’s not what you think. And if you’re still talking to me by the time this convention ends, I’ll tell you everything. But for now, it’s you and me, and not another word about him.”
Heat flashed into her eyes, making them shine. “You don’t tell me what to do.” She jumped to her feet. “I’ll go stay with Missy.”
Hell no to that. She’d be tied down, trussed up, and possibly gagged, too. “Don’t. I’m sorry.” My hand crushed to my heart, I begged, “Stay, please. I’m sorry. You just make me so . . .”
“So what?”
I peered up at her, both palms coasting from her calves to the backs of her knees, bare beneath the skirt. Bending low, I kissed the turn of her ankle. “You make me crazy to have you.”
“You’re confusing me,” she whispered.
“That’s the last thing I want to do. I’m just”—I blew out defeated chuckle—”between a rock and a hard place.”
Her soft hands touched my hair until I looked at her again. She was scared and she’d been scarred and it showed in her guarded eyes. “You’ve got me on uneven footing here.”
“I don’t want that either.”
“What do you want?”
Skimming my palms along her legs, I said, “You.”
“You can have me, tonight.” Her tone dripped with seduction as she pressed back onto the bed, watching my every move.
“Just tonight?” I lifted her foot and kissed the instep, guiding my tongue to her delicate anklebone.
Her back bowed. I licked her leg to her knee, slowly caressing the trembling skin in my hand.
“I think that’s best,” Leelee gasped.
I’d show her what was best, with my cock in her pussy and her pleading for more, every damn day, all the fucking time. Stilling the beast that reared inside of me, I skimmed the high heels off her feet. I ran my tongue along each arch, listening to Leelee moan. She grabbed the bedspread and tried to spread her legs to me, but I held them closed.
“Not yet, babe.”
Her eyes flew to mine, full of desire. Just the way I liked her. On. Fucking. Fire.
I jerked her forward, half off the bed, above my face. “Want me to eat you?”
She nodded.
Reaching higher, I grabbed the inside of her bodice. I ripped the dress from top to bottom, quickly doing away with her lacy bra and tiny panties. Leelee arched when my open palm slid up her mound, between her breasts, to her mouth where my fingers teased her lips open. Rising above her, I angled my lips to hers. The kiss I gave her was a seductive roll of tongues, the slow motion of mouths. Nothing like my caveman move to get her naked. She coiled around me as our lips lingered until I tracked back, getting to my feet with her wide open before me.
“You, sir, are a cur.” She eyed the torn dress with a half a smile on her lips.
Damn right about that.
My gaze raked from her hips, to tits, to teasing smile. I snatched up one of my T-shirts, dangling it in front of her before I dropped it onto her belly. “You can sleep in that, or you can sleep with this.”
My jeans rode low on my hips and I unbuttoned them. The wallet chain clanged. My cock punched through the opening the second I started to shuck the denim down my thighs. After sliding them off my feet, I towered over her.
Taking my cock in one hand, I squeezed my base and groa
ned. Inches of shaft pumped up, engorged, so ready to fuck into Leelee. “What’s it gonna be, babe?”
I was going to screw every single runaway instinct out of her until she lived, breathed, and thought about me.
No shit. I was turning into a barbarian over Leelee.
Licking her lips, she threaded her hands through the long curls of her hair. The red lengths spread over her shoulders and across her breasts, teasing me with glimpses of ruby-red nipples. “Screw the T-shirt. I want you inside me, Josh.”
A harsh laugh escaped my throat. I slapped my meat against my hand. “This?”
Her feet arched against the bed as she pressed her knees up and open. “Yes.”
Kneeling over her, I thumped my cockhead against her clit. “More?”
She grabbed my shaft too, pumping me with slow strokes. “Not yet.”
Her warm hand left me hungering for more when she let me go. Fingertips slid across my lips and I bit them, nuzzled them. She caressed my chest and stomach, tickling along all the muscles while I struggled to breathe.
Reclining against the pillows, she pointed a finger at me. “Stay.”
“What?”
“Well, sug, you’re such a big boy. I’ve gotta get myself ready for you.”
Holy Christ. I watched Leelee, all that pale red hair shimmering around her creamy curves. Hot, naughty, and tempting, she dipped her fingers between her legs, spreading her lips to show me the glistening jewel inside. She circled outside and up, making all those frills and folds wet. I heard how drenched she was; strands of clear silk slipped between her fingertips.
With my gaze riveted to her, I left the bed, dug through my wallet for a condom, and turned the lights low. I snapped the rubber down my shaft and listened to the wet sounds, her soft low gasps as she fingered herself for me.
“Fuck. You are incredible, Leelee.” My voice rumbled from deep within, my muscles flexed to pounce.
Heavy eyes drifted to mine while she circled her mouthwatering clit. “You think so? Just wait until you’re inside me, Josh.”