I think back to when Rose sat me down and talked to me about the birds and the bees. She had started to notice the club bunnies taking interest in me. Cage’s old lady told it straight.
“Don’t stick your dick in anything you can’t pull yourself out of. Handsome young boys like you and King, headed for great things, these women will eat you alive,” she had said that day.
I chuckle at the memory. I should’ve listened more closely. I never got mixed up with the club bunnies, but Mags was ten times worse.
“What?” Eva asks.
“Just remembering something your mom said to me. She was full of wisdom. I see why Cage was crazy about her. She never minced words. It was what I loved most. She called me on my shit,” I say fondly.
“Yeah, she had a way with words. She made everyone feel special. I guess you can say that about them both.”
She’s right. It was a gift they both had, just in different ways. Cage guided you to where you needed to be. Rose had a way of telling you the truth about where you were going.
I think back to Eva’s graduation from high school. The way she didn’t look like a girl celebrating a great accomplishment at her BBQ. I felt then she might be missing her parents.
My heart aches for her. “You do know they would be proud of you. All you’ve done and how far you’ve come?” I say thoughtfully.
She doesn’t answer right away. When she does, the longing is clear. “Yeah, but that doesn’t keep me from wanting them here so I can hear it for myself.”
Damn, what do I say to that? If I could trade my lost and broken soul for her to have them back, I would. Not being able to do anything tears me up as much as hearing the pain in her voice.
Eva breaks into my musing again. “Sometimes, I wonder if Cage would have seen something different in me and pushed me in a different direction,” she says.
“You know, darlin’. I don’t think he ever pushed any of us into anything. He only pointed us in the right direction. You have natural talent. I’m sure Cage would have placed you on my doorstep sooner or later.”
“I remember when he first started coming by the house to see Mom. He would bring me Legos. I was obsessed with the things. New books and Legos,” she says thoughtfully with a wistful smile.
The air turns thick with melancholy. I hadn’t noticed I allowed both of our thoughts to become heavy. Looking at my watch, I see it’s been almost an hour since we finished our lunch.
A lot of time to let the shadows try to creep in. That darkness will sneak up on your ass in a heartbeat if you’re not careful. I’ve had less of those moments with Eva around. I make it my business to pull her back to the light she is. This conversation will only weigh on a day that’s been going great so far.
“Eva,” I say to get her to turn toward me. When she looks at me there’s so much emotion on her face. “Cage lived life to the fullest. I remember he laugh hard and often with the brothers he kept close. He was a hard man with a soft center, but he also told me I had to make the most of everything in my life.
“We can get lost in our past and what ifs. Or we can live in the present and create moments out of pleasure with those we are with,” I say.
Eva seems to catch what I’m throwing. She lifts to her knees and pulls her sweatshirt over her head. Her gorgeous full breasts jiggle within the confines of her pink bra.
I tug off my cut and rip my T-shirt over my head. Eva reaches for my belt buckle and releases it. I grunt as she reaches inside for me.
“Slow down, baby girl. No need to rush,” I say despite fighting for my own restraint.
She nods and bites her lip. I cup her face and kiss her sexy mouth. Sliding my palms down her throat and over her smooth skin, I savor the moans coming from her.
Wanting to elicit more of that sweet sound, I cup her breasts and knead them as she combs her fingers through my beard. In an instant, I’m the one in a rush. I lean in until she falls back, then go straight for her leggings, breaking the kiss to pull them down her thick thighs.
“You’re so fucking sexy,” I say as I pluck her sneakers from her feet so I can pull her pants and panties all the way off.
Pausing, I take her in—fully naked and waiting on me. Like a rare pearl that’s been awaiting my discovery. Her curves are on display just for me.
I lower and start a trail of kisses, the first sampling those full lips. I make my way past her chin, down her throat. I love the way her neck moves as she swallows down a moan.
“Don’t deny me your pleasure, Eva. I want to hear that shit, baby.”
“Please,” she says breathlessly.
I continue my descent, taking a moment to give her breasts my full attention. I roll one hardened nipple in one hand and hold the other mound up for my mouth. Sucking her peak into my mouth, I can’t help wondering how I got so lucky to have this gorgeous woman give herself to me so easily.
She arches her back, trying to feed me more of her breast. I don’t disappoint. I draw the bud deeper into my hot mouth and flick it with my tongue before nipping it and releasing it from my warmth.
“Are you wet for me?” I groan.
“I want you so much.”
“Good, spread your legs. I want them as wide as you can hold them, baby.”
She spreads her legs and brings them into her chest. I wrap my arms around her thighs as I pass her belly with a few more kisses and lower to settle in.
“Owen,” she cries out as I start to savor her core.
She tastes so sweet. I groan and push in deeper, adding my fingers to the mix. I open her folds wide and lavish her pretty pussy.
It doesn’t take long for my face to become saturated in her juices and my saliva, making a sticky mess. I twirl my tongue around the string of her honey and my fluid that clings to her folds and connects to my lip as I back away. Turning my head to the side, I then move in to suck on her inner thigh.
“O-o-wen,” she drags out on a moan.
I grin and turn back for her hot center, diving in to pull her first orgasm from her. It doesn’t take long for me to devour her, sending her body into a quivering, shaking, convulsing mess beneath me.
Damn. I need more. This isn’t enough.
I’m rock hard and want to thrust into her here and now, but I made a promise and I’m a man of my word. Every true Lost Soul is. I kick my boots off and shove my jeans down with one hand.
With one final suck of her clit for good measure, I lift and scoop her up in my arms as I stand. She gasps as she always does when I lift her.
This woman was made for a real man. I don’t think twice about having her in my embrace with her full figure and lush curves. I move for the waterfall to make my way into the hidden cave.
The water is cool, but our heated bodies allow us to go unfazed. Once I make it to the nearest wall in the cave, I press a hand against it and hold Eva’s back inches away, not wanting to press her skin to the rough rock.
“Please,” she pleas.
I grin. “You need something, darlin’?”
“Yes, you,” she whimpers.
I reach between her legs from behind and guide my cock into her tight walls. She feels so good as she sucks me in. She locks her arms around my neck tight as I bounce her on my length.
Soon she begins to take over, grinding her hips and using her upper body to ride me. I press my forehead to hers while still looking into her eyes. She gushes and throws her head back.
“Oh God, Owen,” she starts to scream.
I smile and growl as her voice echoes and the rushing of the waterfall roars in my ears.
“That’s my baby. Keep coming,” I say tightly.
I bend at the knees and take control for the both of us. She’s building toward her next orgasm before the second one can die down. I shiver at the feel of her pebbled nipples rubbing against my chest.
“Yes, yes, yes.”
I growl at her cries and burrow my face in her neck. My sweet baby girl. If only she knew the demons she holds at bay.
Not for the first time, I acknowledge that a man like me should never get his hands on a woman like Eva, but now that I have, I’ll die before I let her go. My chest tightens as the clock in the back of my mind ticks loudly. I’m going to have to answer for all of my sins. Making Eva mine seems to be the one I’ll have to pay the piper for first.
Come get me. I’m ready motherfucker.
Chapter 13
Time to Shop
Eva
I can’t wipe the smile off my face as Owen and I walk hand in hand heading for the next store. I officially need some things to wear. I’ve gone through all of the stuff I packed, and we’ll be returning to the office in another week as per Owen.
I’ve enjoyed having him to myself for a few weeks, but I know he has a company to run and we can’t stay in our little bubble. I’ve spent two weeks in this amazing man’s arms. I could truly pinch myself as reality keeps tiptoeing back in.
He squeezes my hand, causing me to look up. “What are you smiling about?” he says as he opens the store’s door and holds it for me to walk in.
“Nothing.” My face heats and I duck my head while walking through the door before him.
He keeps close, placing the hand he had used to hold mine on the small of my back. Goose bumps run over my skin. There’s something about the protective way he always hovers around me.
I always feel safe and cared for. It’s almost like the way King makes me feel, except with Owen, it’s more possessive and in an intimate sort of way. Sometimes, I catch him glaring at others around us, but I never catch why. Only the way he moves closer to me, drawing my attention to him and the secure way he makes me feel.
“Make sure you get things for home and the office,” he reminds. “It’s on me, so don’t worry about the cost or how much you get. You can get more than you did in the last store.”
My heart skips a beat. The way he says home is as if it’s my home as well, not as if I’m a guest. Not to mention, his offer to pay for my things.
“You don’t have to pay for anything. I can take care of it,” I repeat for the millionth time today.
I start for the T-shirts. He follows me, crowding my space. “But you won’t,” he says next to my ear.
The warmth in my belly threatens to spill over when he leans in and kisses my forehead absentmindedly. It’s so natural and effortless. I shake off the feeling and start to pick up a few pairs of jeans.
Owen grunts, grabbing my attention. I look up to catch him rolling his eyes at me. He plucks the jeans and T-shirts from my hands.
I stare at him in confusion as he waves the clerk over. When she eagerly comes over to attend to his needs, he wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me into his side.
“How can I help you?” the clerk chirps.
“This is my girlfriend, and she doesn’t always realize how sexy this body is. I need you to help her pick out everything you have that will cater to all her beauty. I’ll wait,” he commands as if he’s the king of the world.
I look up at him with my mouth open. When he turns his green eyes on me, I have to gulp from the sight of the heat within them. He gives my side a squeeze and his lips lift in the corner.
“I can do that,” the woman says adoringly. I blink to clear my thoughts and look at her. She turns to me and leans in to whisper. “I wish my boyfriend loved me like that. Just this morning, he told me I need to lose weight.”
I frown. That’s pretty awesome coming from a boyfriend. Like February 30 is the best day of the year.
Owen snorts. “Sweetheart, you need a cheeseburger and a new boyfriend,” he says gruffly before walking off.
“Oh, my God, Brick,” I call after him.
He turns and gives me a look. I can only shake my head at him and mouth, Owen. He smirks at me and shrugs his shoulders.
“You’re an attractive woman. Your boyfriend’s an asshole,” he says to the clerk, a little nicer this time.
“Thanks,” she says with a goofy laugh. She turns to me to whisper. “You two are such a beautiful couple. I can tell he loves you.”
My heart stops. For but a small moment, I let my mind hope she’s right. I know I’m in love with him, but I’m not ready to bet the farm on the feeling being mutual.
At night, when he makes love to me, I often fight not to confuse it with the feeling of love. I get sex is sex and what I’m feeling is something more. Owen looks up from his phone he has been tapping on.
A smile comes to his face and I wonder if—just maybe—she could be right. I mentally kick myself. I’m thinking too much.
“Thanks,” I whisper in reply to the clerk and allow her to lead me to a rack.
“I have some things I think would look great on you.” She lowers her voice again. “I’d kill for curves like yours. Especially your hiney. Five days a week in the gym and mine is still flat as a board.”
I bite my lip to keep from laughing. She keeps talking the entire next two hours I spend in the dressing room trying on clothes. Eventually, I tune her out.
I spend most of the time in my thoughts, wondering what she saw that I didn’t. By the time she piles everything on the counter to ring me up, I realized she has half the store ready for me to purchase. I spin to face Owen.
“You can’t get all of this,” I say, startled.
He pins me with a glare before reaching for me with one hand as he holds his card out to the clerk with the other. Before I can protest any further, he dips his head and takes my lips. I completely lose track of what I had planned to say.
“Thank you,” I breathe when he lets me up for air.
He nods. “You’ll need shoes for all of this.”
I go to decline the offer, but he shoots me that glare once again. He kisses my nose. “You’ll need work boots for the construction site too.”
I can only smile. I don’t know if it’s love, but I know he cares. At least I think he does. What do I know? I’m still in shock over all the things he’s just purchased for me.
It’s enough to keep me wordless as we head to the next store.
Brick
“You got my message?” King asks, his voice full of stress.
“Yeah, I got it. I can have that all handled within the next few hours. I’ve got you, brother,” I reply.
“How’s Eva? Is she giving you any trouble?”
My gut twists with guilt. I should tell him now, but from the sound in his voice, I bite back the words and swallow them. Whatever is going on with King it’s weighing heavily on him.
This is my best friend. I don’t what to add to his plate. Not now.
So, I go the safe route, knowing I won’t lie to him. “Just finished picking her up some work boots for the sites,” I reply.
“Thanks again. I know this is asking a lot.”
“It’s nothing. Hey, she’s actually in the truck waiting on me. I’m starving so she probably is too.”
“Yeah, all right. Call me if anything goes wrong with that thing we were talking about.”
“Got it.”
I hang up and climb into the truck. Eva has her nose in her phone. When I close my door, she looks up as if surprised to find me. Her eyes light up.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, King was checking in,” I say.
Her smile falls a bit. “Did you tell him?” I lean in to kiss her lips.
“Nope. Not the time.”
Without another word, I start the truck and pull out of the parking space. I have a million things on my mind, but I’ll get to all of that when we get home. I have a few calls to make.
“I’m hungry, what do you want to eat?” I turn to Eva and say.
I catch the light in her eyes before facing the road again and know exactly what she’s gonna say. At the same time, we call out, “Chinese.”
“That place is so good. If you want something else, we can get what you want,” she says sheepishly.
“If you want Chinese, Chinese it is. I wouldn’t mind some of their g
arlic chicken.”
“I promise to cook tomorrow,” she says as I pull to a stop at a light.
I turn to look at her. Reaching over, I grasp the back of her neck and begin to knead it. She looks into my eyes.
“Darlin’, you don’t have to promise me anything. It’s late, I wasn’t looking for you to cook anything. I’m good with takeout and a few beers. I’d much rather have you in my bed than at the stove. The sooner I feed you, the sooner I can feast on you,” I say and wink at her before turning and stepping on the gas.
I smile to myself, catching her heaving breasts out the corner of my eyes. Two weeks and I’m still affecting her as much as she affects me. I already dread having to share her with others.
My chest fills with satisfaction as I think of all the bags in the back of my truck. Eva truly doesn’t know how sexy she is. I’m still semihard from watching her try on clothes.
I’ve never taken such pleasure in purchasing things for a woman. However, with Eva, I would have cleaned out the store to see the awe in her eyes and smile on her face. I want to spoil this woman with everything her heart desires.
“Will you watch that documentary I was telling you about with me?”
I glance over and smile. “Yeah, sounds good. We can do that.”
“What was it about again?”
“The history and Evolution of American Architecture. I’m so excited to watch it. I heard it’s awesome.”
“Speaking of which. I found those books you were asking about. I brought them out of storage,” I say, referencing some old textbooks and other books I’ve accumulated over the years.
Eva is more than an avid reader. She devours books and information. I think at times she forgets I’m even around as she gets lost in the pages she reads.
Her voice shows her excitement. “Oh, maybe we should wait on the documentary. I’m so glad you were able to find them,” she says.
“Told you I would. We can do either.”
I should’ve known she’d opt out of the movie for the books. I shake my head. I’ll never fault her for her brilliance. It’s sexy as fuck to me.
Forever Page 9
