by Eve Langlais
The head of his shaft probed the pink mouth of her sex. He rubbed it, spreading her lips as she braced her hands on the wall.
He slid in. Nice and slow. He felt the slickness of her channel. The trembling.
He sheathed himself fully and stopped.
She wiggled.
He sucked in a breath. He shifted inside her, and now she was the one to gasp as he stroked over her g-spot. Now that he had it, he held her in place, grinding and pushing, feeling how she tightened, how she panted.
He kept one arm locked around her waist while he slipped his free hand between her thighs. The tip of his finger found her clit. Rubbed it.
She keened. He thrust harder, his hips doing all the work as he remained buried inside her. Her own body gyrated, then stiffened as she came, her pussy squeezing him so tight.
He came. Hot spurts that reminded him of the fact that he’d once again forgotten a condom. He found it hard to care as they caught their breath, bodies entwined.
They finished showering in almost silence, cleansing each other, taking turns with the soap. His cock, while sated, remained semi-hard the entire time. It wouldn’t take much for him to go again. He’d hadn’t been this randy since his teen years.
Emerging into the bedroom, she went for the pile of clothes on a chair.
He flopped onto the bed to watch as she bent over to pull on underpants. “So now that I’ve passed the test, and you trust me, what’s next?”
“Since we already took care of the fucking, now it’s time to get our day going.”
“I was talking about us. What’s next for us?”
“There is no us. This is as far as it goes.”
“What if I want more than just sex?”
“Are you really going to make this complicated?” She rolled her eyes. “Why can’t it just be fucking? I told you I don’t do boyfriends.”
“Then it’s time you changed that rule.”
Her nose wrinkled. “Are you saying you actually want to date me? What are we, in high school?”
“Date. Fuck. Be with. Protect.”
“I don’t need some knight in shining armor. I can save myself.”
“I am sure you can, but would it kill you to have some help?”
“Maybe.” Her lips twitched. “If I let you be my boyfriend, does that mean you’ll buy me dinner?”
“Probably. And take you to the movies.”
“You planning to visit often from Pasadena?”
Apparently, she hadn’t forgotten that he was here on a temporary gig. “I’m not married to my job if that’s what you’re asking. Relocation is an option.”
“I don’t want you making that kind of commitment. We might get tired of each other in a few days.”
“Or you might discover you can’t stand to live without me.”
She snorted. “Doubtful. But I like your optimism. You think you like me now, but let’s see how you do once you get to know the real me.”
“So long as the real you doesn’t resort to any more mickeys, I’m pretty sure I can handle it. And by the way, as your boyfriend, that means you can ask me shit, and I’ll do my best to be honest.”
“Only your best?”
“There are some things, like my past military career, that I can’t talk about. Jobs I’ve done where I signed a confidentiality contract.”
“I can handle that. So long as you respect the fact I have some things I can’t talk about either. KM would cut me off from the tit if they thought I gave away too many secrets. I’m only talking to you because Mother said I could.”
“You told your mother about me?” For some reason, that pleased him inordinately.
“Mother’s known about you for a while. She thinks you’re interesting, and she says if trusting you turns out to be a bad move, then I should eliminate you.”
That quelled some of his warmth. “Speaking of people who know about me, where are your friends? Digging up more secrets?”
“Possibly. I know Tanya was going to see if she could get more info. She was right miffed at how much of your service record she couldn’t read. Must be impressive given how much of it is blacked out.”
“She’ll be in big trouble if caught.” The military didn’t like its secrets being breached.
“Don’t worry about T. She is the very best.”
“Must be nice to have friends you can turn to when in need of accomplices to commit a crime.” Said with a dry wryness.
“What crime?”
At his pointed stare, she smiled. Then laughed.
It was more than a man could bear. He rolled off the bed and dove on her. She squealed as he grabbed her by the wrists and pinned her arms over her head while his body smothered hers.
“What am I going to do with you?” he growled.
Shining eyes met his. “Do me.”
A good plan. Philip kissed her and planned to do more but a rapid knock and yelled “Breakfast!” ruined his plans.
“Oooh, I could go for some food,” she exclaimed.
“I’d rather eat in bed,” he grumbled. Might be less chance of being drugged.
She nipped his chin. “We don’t have time for another round. We’ve got work to do today.”
“Work? What work? It’s Saturday.” And the big game wasn’t until Sunday afternoon.
She twisted out of reach, and her panty-clad ass taunted as she bent to grab some clothes off a chair. His shirt and pants hit him in the face, and by the time he extricated himself, she was heading out the door, dressed in shorts and a tank top. He hurried to catch up, forgoing his shoes and padding down the stairs only to stop at the bottom at the sight of plywood screwed over the living room window.
“What the hell happened?” Philip said aloud.
“Some asshat tossed a brick through it. The glass guy will be by around ten to fix it.”
The woman’s reply had him turning to see the redhead from the night before. “Who threw it?”
“More than likely Pedro or one of his cronies. Trying to psych Carla out.”
Given Philip had just seen her, it didn’t seem to have worked. “You’re Meredith, right?” He couldn’t be sure he entirely trusted his memories of the night before given the drug.
She winked. “Any guy that Carla lets sleep in her bed can call me Merry.”
“Who says he slept?” Carla yelled from the kitchen. “Or did you not hear the headboard knocking before we came down?
“TMI!” hollered Tanya from somewhere on the main floor. “I don’t need to know about your freaky sex life.”
“At least some of us have a sex life. You ever gonna get over what’s his name?” Carla taunted.
“His name was Tommy, and he was the love of my life,” Tanya could be heard huffing.
“He was your first and only boyfriend, who knocked you up as a teenager and left before he even knew he was gonna be a daddy.”
“And? He was my soulmate.”
“It’s been eleven years, T. Get laid,” Carla snapped.
“No, thank you,” was the pert reply.
“Do they argue like this often?” Philip asked Meredith as he followed her into the kitchen.
“All the time, just like sisters,” Meredith said fondly. “And if you call me their mother, I’ll slap you.”
“No one is like Mother,” the trio of women exclaimed then giggled, leaving him at a total loss.
Breakfast proved an interesting experience with him seated across from Carla, his plate piled high with hash browns, toast, eggs, and sausage.
No one said a word about the previous night, although there was much teasing about the fact that Carla had invited a man to their group.
Only once breakfast was finished did things turn serious.
Tanya brought out the laptop, an innocuous-looking, battered Dell that thumped on the table. She tapped as she began talking.
“No hits on any of the boards I posted on. If anyone’s seen Pedro, then they’re keeping quiet.”
Carla,
hands full of dirty dishes and headed to the sink, tossed over her shoulder, “I don’t think he’s been out of jail too long. My guess is he’s hiding because he breached his bail conditions.”
“He’s obviously made new friends, though, given he’s been tailing you and was involved in the drive-by.”
Philip blinked as the information was tossed around, then slammed his hands on the table. “Hold on just a fucking second. You didn’t tell me he was behind the shooting.”
“He’s also been following me, tried to snag Nico at his school, and is probably the one behind my tires being slashed and the brick last night.”
“This is serious shit. You need to call the cops.”
The women passed a knowing glance amongst each other before Meredith snorted. “The cops, really? What are they going to do exactly?”
“Arrest him.”
“For what, being a jerk?” Carla asked sarcastically. “None of the stuff can be proven. He’ll have an alibi and claim I’m making shit up. And even if they did arrest him, he’d be back on the streets in twenty-four hours. Maybe less. Gunning for me and Nico.”
“So, what are you suggesting? You going to kill him?”
Dead silence.
He frowned. “Carla…” Killing was serious business. It fucked with a person’s mind. She shouldn’t even joke about going down that path.
She laughed. “Had you going, didn’t I?”
The women snickered.
He didn’t entirely relax. “What is your plan then?” Because he wasn’t entirely convinced. He’d seen the guns.
“First, we need to locate him,” Tanya said, tapping on her laptop.
“Then, we take care of him,” was Carla’s ominous statement.
“She means we’ll call the cops.” Meredith waggled her phone.
“I thought you said they wouldn’t do shit?” He was so fucking confused.
“They might not be able to do much, but if he’s broken probation, then that might get him tossed in the clink for a while longer. Long enough for Carla and Nico to start over somewhere,” Meredith explained.
He scrubbed his face. “It’s a crazy plan. I don’t see how you figure you’ll find him. And what if you do? Then what? By the sounds of it, he will get violent.”
“I know how to protect myself,” Carla said. “We all do.”
“Against guns? Gangbangers?” He shook his head. “It’s nuts. You’ll get hurt.” He had to find a way to handle this for her.
“We can’t exactly do nothing,” Carla remarked.
“You’re right. Which is why I’m going to take care of this asshole.”
“Ah, look at that. Carla’s new beau wants to keep her safe. How cute,” Meredith chortled.
Carla laughed. “What are you going to do?”
“You’re not the only one with a gun.”
Tanya clasped her hands. “Oooh, he really is perfect for her.”
“Question is, does he know how to use it?”
The words made sense, yet he got a feeling he’d missed some kind of joke. Especially given that both Tanya and Carla snickered.
“Three times.” Carla held up her fingers.
His cheeks heated. So the sexual innuendo was intentional. “I’ll handle this Pedro character.”
“While the little women stay tucked inside where it’s safe?” Meredith stated in a high-pitched, girly voice. It dropped an octave. “Like hell, sugar. We are all going.”
Carla snapped her fingers. “We’re wasting time. Everyone is going. T and Merry, you stick together. I’ll keep an eye on Philip. Keep him from getting in trouble.”
“Excuse me?” he blustered.
Meredith and Tanya left the kitchen with the blonde muttering, “Uh-oh, lover’s spat.”
Philip found himself alone with Carla.
She patted his cheek. “Sorry, soldier, I’m sure you think you’re capable of handling Pedro, but given it’s been a while since you were in the army, you might be a little rusty.”
“I’m not rusty.” He sighed. “And you’re not going to stay here are you.”
“Nope. So don’t even bother trying, or we won’t be getting naked together later.”
“Where are we starting the search?”
“Bars, but most don’t open for hours. So, we’re going to check in on my son first.”
“Where is Nico?”
“He’s at my aunt Judy’s with Portia and the girls.”
“Are you sure this Pedro character doesn’t know where she lives?” He’d hate to think that something might happen to the boy.
“I was careful dropping him off, and even if Pedro dared to show his face, Auntie would handle it. She hates bullies.”
Hating bullies was all fine and dandy, but he had an issue with letting an old woman deal with a thug. Not to mention, he didn’t want anyone scaring or harming Nico. He liked the kid. A lot. The mother, too. Despite the fact that she appeared determined to drive him batty.
Philip followed her pert ass as it went swinging out of the room. It wiggled all the way up the stairs, a siren’s call he couldn’t resist.
He closed the bedroom door behind them. “I really wish you’d let me handle this Pedro guy alone.”
“Don’t be silly. I’ve got my big, strong man to protect me. And my magnum.” She smirked as she dressed, the holster built into her jean jacket. It made him wish he had access to more of his wardrobe. The good news was that he could now openly wear the gun he’d stashed in the trunk of his car.
When they went outside, and he retrieved it, she admired it. “A Sauer. Good weapon. I have one in a locker at the Atlanta airport.”
“Because?”
“It’s a nexus location on many of my flights.”
“You travel?”
“Not too often, but enough I have a few stashes.”
For some reason, that made him grin and shake his head. “Me, too. Although, my airport locker is in Chicago.”
“They have the best public toilets and deep-dish pizza.” As they neared his car parked on the road, she held out her hand. “Keys.”
He snorted. “I’m driving.”
“I know where we’re going.”
“Why can’t you just give me directions.”
“Because I want to make sure no one is following.”
“I am perfectly capable of ensuring we don’t have a tail. This happens to be something I do on a regular basis.” Oliveira was paranoid, and so was Philip.
Carla perused him for a moment. “Fine. You drive, but if we get chased, you’d better hold the car steady, so I can shoot out their tires from a window.”
“Why not just get on the hood and surf it so that you can leap into their vehicle and overpower them?”
“That trick doesn’t work so good outside movies. Bullets, though”—she tapped her hidden gun—“they stop bad guys dead.” She grinned.
He shook his head. This playful Carla took getting used to, but her sarcastic humor was fun. Especially since she seemed serious about it.
What if she really were as deadly as she claimed?
I might just have to marry her. A thought that didn’t bring panic.
Philip took a circuitous route to Aunt Judy’s place, doubling back and weaving, not using signals before taking sudden turns. Even the sharpest ones didn’t elicit screams of fear but rather excitement. Carla squealed as she held on to the oh-shit bar. She laughed, as well. “Go, soldier, go. Faster.”
She was nuts.
And he loved it.
He pulled up in front of a rather nice home in a suburban area with green lawns, empty driveways, and most windows framed in curtains not covered by vertical blinds.
The door immediately opened, and Nico flew out, arms flailing, legs pumping. “Mami!”
Carla spilled out of the car and held her arms open wide. Her son flew into them as Philip emerged from the car. Given everything he’d learned, now he was the one staring all around, looking for a vehicle that was ou
t of place. Because in that moment, he knew for a fact that he wanted them safe. Happy.
Wanted to be a part of that close family.
A woman appeared in the door flanked by matching girls. Obviously, twins, both in pink rompers. They held back until their mother said, “Go and say hi to Auntie Carla.”
Nico got out of the way just in time and made his way over to Philip. “Hey, Coach, what you doing with my mom?”
It shouldn’t have made Philip blush, yet it did. Thankfully, the strange woman saved him. “You must be Philip Moore. I’ve heard so much about you.”
He shook the extended hand and wondered what she’d heard. Before he could ask, a gray-haired woman with a steely gaze appeared. “We should take this conversation inside.”
Entering the house, the door shut behind them and hissed as if pressurized. Philip glanced behind him and noticed the door clicking as it locked.
Heavy-duty safety features. With an arm around her son, Carla led him into the living room along with the others. The polished wood floors went well with the brocade couch and matching armchairs. Everything appeared pristine and only missed plastic covers.
“Nico, can you and the girls empty the dishwasher please?”
“Yes, Aunt Judy.” The children didn’t even argue before vacating the room.
“Sit,” Aunt Judy with the steely gaze ordered.
He sat, and Carla joined him on the couch.
“I’m Judy. This is Portia.” She waved to the woman who resembled the little girls. “And you’re the soldier?” She eyed him up and down. “Seems in decent enough shape.”
“Nothing wrong with his body,” Carla said.
“Can he use it?”
Expecting another innuendo, he spoke first. “He uses it just fine, thank you.”
Carla smirked. “Actually, I haven’t had a chance to test him in hand-to-hand combat. But he is energetic. He also carries a gun.”
Judy sniffed. “Everyone and their mother has a gun these days. Question is, will he know when to use it or panic and shoot his own team?”
“I don’t panic if that’s what you’re asking,” Philip said. “And I avoid shooting when possible.”
“Squeamish?”
“More like I’d rather not answer questions I don’t have to.” Why did he shoot? Did he feel threatened? Was there a personal connection between him and the victim? Last time he’d shot a mugger to protect himself, it had taken weeks before the cops stopped harassing him.