He caught my hips, and the feel of his rough hands against my smooth skin sent a shiver through me.
“You sound like you’re a big believer in being prepared.”
He said the words against my lips.
Before I could respond, he was kissing me.
No…no, I really wasn’t a big believer in being prepared. I just would've said anything to get him to touch me again. What did it matter anyway? No amount of preparation could have ever gotten me ready for him.
Nine
Kaleb
Waking up felt strange.
For a minute, I didn’t entirely understand why.
I lay there a few more minutes, trying to process. That didn’t take too long, but even after I’d figured out why things felt different, I didn’t move.
If I did that, it might break the spell.
It had been years since I’d woken up with a woman.
I couldn’t really count yesterday. We’d been hung over and irritated, and I’d been in a stupor for several minutes even after Piety had rolled out of the bed.
This though…
This.
It had been years since I’d had this.
I hadn’t realized I’d missed it. There’d been no time for a relationship, not really. Even the few I’d had when I was younger…hell. Nothing had felt as easy and right as this.
That in and of itself was just insane, because this wasn’t real.
Piety was paying me.
Not to sleep with her, but she was paying me money to stay with her, and if it hadn't been for the money, I wouldn’t have been around for any of this. And that bothered me more than I wanted to admit.
I couldn’t lose sight of the reason I was doing this. I couldn’t afford to. And I couldn’t afford to have feelings for this woman, even though it would be damn easy to have feelings for her. She was…funny. Sweet, but in a subtle way. There was a sharp, sarcastic side to her that hid that softness. I liked all of it, and suspected the more I was around her, the more I’d like it. Like her.
Which meant if I was smart, I’d get away and stay away.
Rising from the bed, I moved over to the window and stared outside. Under my feet, the carpet was plush and thick, feeling as foreign to me as the rest of the room, as strange and different as the woman lying on the bed behind me.
I didn’t fit in here.
Brooding, I looked back at Piety, but that only made me want to climb back into bed with her.
The temptation was so strong, I jerked my gaze away and headed for the small pile of clothes at the end of the bed. Grabbing my jeans, I headed for the bathroom.
I didn’t bother putting them on until the door was closed behind me. Once I was lost in the relative privacy, I checked my phone to see if there had been any calls.
No.
Not that too many people would call.
But Camry should have.
But, of course she hadn’t. I squeezed my phone around the casing, hard enough that the plastic cracked a little. Then, slowly, I lowered it and punched in her number. She didn’t answer. Big surprise.
I waited till the voicemail started and once it beeped, I left a message.
“Hey, Camry. It’s me. Listen…something’s come up, and I’ve got to leave the city for a little bit. When I get back, I’ll have money. I’ll have everything I need to make all of this right again. It’s going to be okay.”
Make it right again…
I wanted to laugh at my own stupidity.
Instead, I disconnected the call and shoved my phone in the pocket of my jeans.
How could I make things right? How could I possibly hope to do that?
Frustrated, I wrenched the door open, half thinking I’d go for a walk or something.
And I came to a dead stop at the sight of Piety lying stretched across the bed, taking up two-thirds of it. She had the sheets wrapped and twisted around her, her face turned toward me, a faint smile on her lips.
The sight of her was like a blow straight to my chest, and without thinking – without letting myself think – I went to her and laid down, curling around her. I tucked my face against her hair and breathed in the scent of her.
In a few days, a few weeks, this would be over.
I’d go back to my life.
She’d go back to hers.
She’d probably forget this whole interlude. All she wanted was for her parents to get the idea that she was her own person. She was a grown woman. A fact that the body pressed to mine made abundantly clear.
Me, though…I’d go back to my life and do what? Do what I'd been doing for years?
This was my escape. My escape, brief as it was. I was doing what I needed to do, yeah. I couldn’t deny that. But I wanted to do it. I hadn’t wanted to walk away from Piety yet. From the moment I’d first seen her, I'd wanted her. And then I'd wanted to know her.
When it was all over, I’d go back to a life I was just now recognizing as completely empty.
Yes, I was going to try to fix things with Camry.
How could I not?
But nothing was going to be okay.
Things hadn’t been okay in a long time.
So I might as well enjoy this for as long as it lasts.
Piety made a low, humming sound and stretched.
I slid my hand down her hip, and she covered it with her own. The cool metal of the new ring she’d bought brushed against the matching ring I now wore. She’d insisted on it – her parents would never buy that she’d gotten married without an appropriate ring – for both of us.
It hadn't felt right letting a woman buy something so…personal for me.
But when she’d grinned at me so playfully, then slid it on my finger, I realized how personal things between us already felt. She’d told me that once this was done, I could keep the ring – sell it or do whatever.
I would keep it. I already knew that. Even after we annulled this farce of a marriage, I’d keep it. A little piece of her.
She stretched again, wiggling her ass against my cock. I closed my eyes as blood rushed south. When she did it again, I realized she was holding her breath a little. Little minx.
“Something tells me you’re doing that on purpose.”
She broke out in a laugh. “It took you long enough.” She did it again.
I rolled onto my knees, dragging her along so that her back was flush against me. She gasped as I slid a hand around and down, pushing my fingers between her thighs. She was already wet, the slick heat making my cock even harder. She moaned as I rubbed my fingers against her clit until she swore. Her head fell back against my shoulder as she rode my hand, rocking back against my cock, until I thought I just might embarrass myself.
“Come for me, sweetheart,” I spoke through gritted teeth just before I pressed against that little bundle of nerves. She cried out, her body jerking as she came.
Damn, she was beautiful like that.
I eased her down onto the bed before I eased away and tore open one of the last remaining condoms on the nightstand. We’d need more. Had to remember that. No matter how much I loved the idea of sliding into her bare. I would do at least one thing smart here.
I rolled the condom down, as I trailed my eyes up along the curve of her spine. As I watched, she lifted up on her hands and knees, threw her hair back, and turned her head to smile at me over her shoulder.
It was a sweet, wicked little grin that made my heart flip over and my stomach clench.
Groaning, I grabbed her hip with one hand and held her steady, wrapping my other hand around my cock. “I think you want to drive me mad.”
“No, I just want you.”
Such simple words, but the things they made me feel...
Swearing, I buried myself balls-deep inside her pussy with one thrust. We both cried out, our voices mixing together even as our bodies joined. I gave us both a moment to gain control before I started to draw back. She clamped down tighter around me, like she was trying to keep me trapped i
nside her. I wouldn’t mind staying like this, wrapped inside her, where I belonged.
My balls went tight as I eased back, then slid forward. Slowly at first, then building in speed, I drove into her. Each time, she tightened around me, friction and pressure forcing me higher. I could feel my orgasm coiling in my stomach, fighting to break free. But I wasn't going to give in, not until she came first.
Bracing my hands against her hips, I bent over her, sweat blooming on my skin, need knotting in my gut. I slid one hand under her and rolled her nipple between my fingers. She moaned and arched her back.
“Touch yourself,” I ordered. “Rub your clit and come for me again. Let me feel that hot little pussy of yours squeeze me.”
I pinched her nipple, then tugged it as I felt her shift. She shivered as her fingers began to move over her clit. I pulled her nipple again, twisted it, and she called out my name, the sound one of pure pleasure.
Fuck. I wanted to hear that again.
“Say my name, sweetheart.” I could feel her body trembling around me. “Say it and come.”
I grabbed her hair and yanked her back against me. She came apart as she yelled my name and I didn’t fight my release any longer.
I started to climax, curses pouring from my mouth alongside her name. But the only thing that really mattered was her name.
“You were cussing me out.”
Her words broke the silence that had fallen as we'd recovered, and I felt my face going red as I looked over at her.
Piety was propped on her elbow, staring down at me, a curious look on her face. “Well?”
“Well, what?” I asked.
“I’m just…well, it’s not like I’ve slept with a lot of people or anything, but there’ve been a couple of guys.” She flushed. “And I’ve never had a guy swear at me when he came before.”
Shit. Throwing my forearm over my eyes, I tried to explain. “It wasn’t you. It was…”
Unable to find the words, I lowered my arm and stared at her. After a moment, I caught her and rolled until I had her under me. She wasn’t upset. I could see it in her eyes now. She was actually smiling. She always seemed to be smiling, even when it wasn't quite genuine.
“You know the cartoons you see in the paper? Or online where one of the characters stubs his toe or something, and all he says are exclamation marks and such? It’s because cartoons don’t cuss…but sometimes it’s more effective, even though silence can say more than words at times. But then, there are times when swearing says more than words.”
Her face softened as she reached up, cupping my cheek.
I covered her hand with mine. “I’ve been caught in a shit storm for a while, and now there’s you. You're like an oasis.” Balancing on one elbow, I slid a hand down her belly and cupped her between her thighs. “Just being with you would be sweet. But having you moan out my name, fucking you and knowing you want everything I can do to you – that you want to do the same things to me...”
“So, fucking me is like stubbing your toe. You can’t express yourself in any way other than cursing?” She cocked an eyebrow even as she closed her thighs, rocking up against my hand.
“Yes.” I offered her a weak grin. “It’s just…well, in a good way. Almost like hitting your funny bone or…well, you get the point.”
She pushed against my shoulders until I went to my back. She grabbed the last condom from the bedside table, then threw a leg over my waist.
“Let’s see if we can hit that funny bone again.”
Ten
Piety
Walking around the airport in Las Vegas wasn’t too different than walking around outside in the city itself or in one of the casinos. Okay, it was definitely cooler in the airport than in the city, but you got the same sense of excitement and desperation from many of the tourists.
There was such a wide variety of people, and I loved people watching. It always baffled my parents when we'd traveled, although I got better about getting caught watching as I'd gotten older. Mom had never approved.
Piety, sit still…stop gawking. It’s so unseemly.
A stern look from Dad had been enough to communicate the same message, but it hadn’t stopped my…gawking either. I’d just learned to be more subtle about it.
Now I didn’t need to be subtle, but I’d learned it was more…well, polite not to so openly stare.
I wasn’t trying to be nosy exactly.
People just fascinated me. All of them.
Of course, some of them pissed me off, like the mom who was yelling at a baby who couldn’t be more than six months old, telling the poor thing to quit crying.
Just as the thought went through my mind, Astra noticed as well.
“Like yelling at her is really going to make the baby stop crying,” Astra said, sarcasm thick in her voice – and she wasn’t quiet about it either.
The slim blonde heard and whipped her head around, glaring at us.
But Astra was already talking to Kaleb. “I mean, don’t you find it soothing when somebody yells at you? Especially when you’re in a loud, noisy unfamiliar place and you’re probably tired? That’s exactly what makes you feel better, isn’t it, Kaleb?”
The look on his face made it plain as day that he didn’t know if he wanted to laugh or hide behind the menu. Taking pity on him, I laid a hand on his arm. “Half the time, being in an airport is enough to make most people want to cry – or yell.”
I gave the mom a smile and hoped she’d take the out, and give her baby one too. We all got stressed after all, but the baby shouldn’t suffer for it.
After a moment, her eyes fell away, and she started to bounce the little girl, patting her on the butt as she rocked her back and forth. A moment later, the pitiful wails subsided and the baby shoved her fist into her mouth.
“I’m starving,” Astra announced, studying the menu. “Why did we get on such a late flight? I could have sworn we were flying out earlier.”
“We were.” I glanced at her over the top of mine. “We changed it to a later one so we could all three fly first class.”
“You didn’t have to…” Kaleb went quiet at my look, miming that he was sealing his lips shut and tossing away a key. He'd already lost that argument.
Laughing, I patted his arm. “Figure out what you want to eat, okay?” A small market across the way caught my eye, reminding me. “Hey, I forgot my ear plugs back at the hotel, so I’m going to go grab some.”
It wasn’t the only thing I needed, but I definitely needed those, and gum. Hopping off the stool, I looked at Astra. “Order me an omelet and some bacon. I want something messy and fattening before I head to the reunion. I’ll be eating canapes and the rest of that crap that looks pretty and tastes like cardboard.”
“You got it. Don’t worry, PS. I’ll stay here and keep Kaleb company.” She gave me a serene smile.
Inside the small shop, I found a box of condoms and the ear plugs I needed for the trip. My ears always killed me when I flew. I also saw a book from one of my favorite authors and grabbed it. On impulse, I picked up an action thriller for Kaleb. I had no idea if he liked to read. If he didn’t…well, I wouldn’t hold it against him too much. After all, Astra and I were best friends, and I only nagged her about her lack of love for reading every now and then. Like once or twice a week.
As I made my way to the cashier, a voice caught my attention. Plaintive, young…almost desperate. “Please, can you try again? It’s the last credit card I have, and I'm out of diapers.”
“Ma’am, I’ve already tried twice, and I’ve got other customers.”
The young mom.
My gaze locked on her as she stood there, rocking her baby, and holding her credit card out to the cashier while a couple of other customers shifted restlessly behind her.
One of them, an older businessman behind her, said, “Can you move? I have a plane to catch.”
My temper snapped. Striding forward, I pulled out my wallet. “Here you go, sis.”
Heads whipped
my way as I nudged the businessman aside, just as he had been trying to do to the young mom. I swiped my card, smiling serenely at the cashier and ignoring the surprise on the girl’s face. She really was just a girl. Nineteen, maybe twenty. “I need cash too. What’s the max?”
“Excuse me,” the dude in the suit snapped. “You weren’t next.”
I glanced at him. “Oh, I know. My sister was. The girl you were being so rude to? We'll be done in a second.”
I withdrew the maximum amount I could, then stepped out of line, holding out the diapers to the girl who was standing there, staring at me, still rocking the baby.
She didn’t take them. “What’s this?”
“Diapers, sweetie.” Nudging her out of the line, I continued to hold the package out to her.
“I…” She firmed her jaw. “I don’t need charity from some rich bitch.”
“It’s not charity.” I didn’t let the barb get to me. I was rich. I could be a bitch. And so could pride. I understood pride really well. “It’s called kindness…and help. Sometimes everybody needs a little.”
Her cheeks flushed hot and red. “I don’t–”
“Doesn’t your baby?” I kept my voice soft.
She deflated and reached out, slowly taking the diapers. “We’re going to meet her dad. He’s in the army, stationed out in Virginia, and I…” Her eyes filled with tears. “We’re getting married. I’m moving out there. All my stuff is already on the way, but it took all my money, and I’m about broke. My parents won’t help me.”
She looked like she wanted to just break down and cry.
“Then your parents kind of suck,” I said with a sympathetic smile. Gently, I turned her around and pushed the diapers into the bag hanging from one narrow shoulder.
Then I turned her back around to face me. “Here.” I started to give her the money I’d withdrawn, but then I stopped and pulled out my wallet, taking the rest of my cash. It added up to nearly three hundred dollars. Nothing I'd miss, and it'd make a difference to her. “Make sure you both have food and formula before you get on the plane. And put the rest of the money somewhere safe. The diaper bag is too easy for people to steal from.”