Command: An Everyday Heroes World Novel (The Everyday Heroes World)

by Amélie S. Duncan

  “You say that . . . and damn it. You wear me down . . . you make things hard for me.” Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. They were amber in the sun, sparkling when they are lit, warming me down to my soul—with her I felt home, I wanted her to feel the same with me.

  Shana turned her head away and cursed. She never liked to show her emotions. Jackson admired her acting tough all the time, and that she’d been his Shadow.

  She ran her hands over her arms and shifted on her feet, her eyes darting around like she didn’t trust I’d be there to catch her if she let go. That broke my heart and made me want her to tell me about those years she went away. She needed healing. She needed me.

  I pulled her neck and crashed my lips against her mouth, plunging my tongue inside and kissed her with everything I had. She would always be mine.

  And that was when she let me in. She shook all over, tears streamed down her face, and she couldn’t stop them.

  “You. Nate. You . . . I care so much about you.”

  “And you’re special to me, Shana. You always have been. I’ll always be here for you.”

  I love you, and I never want to be without you.

  I cuddled her close so she’d feel and trust how much I loved her. That was Shana and me. We let go and caught each other. And I wished that could be enough, but that time could soon pass, and she’d stop believing in us again.

  She started to kiss me, but I stopped her. She needed to understand and respect how I felt.

  “I need more than your body, Shana. I need you to give me everything so you will know . . .”

  “I never forgot, Nate. I’m yours. Always.”

  I pulled her into my arms, and she held on to me like I was her lifeline, like she couldn’t take any distance between us. Her hand reached up to my hair and pulled my head down and pressed my mouth to hers.

  I took over kissing her hard and deep, and she moaned against my mouth, and even after what I said, sex came in the mix, just like always with us. Sex was my weakness with her. I fucking craved her.

  She tugged up her shirt, so I could see her tits. She had nothing else on.

  I touched her breasts, kneading them in my hands, moving down to suck them into my mouth, grazing her nipple with my teeth.

  “You’re so sexy, Shana.”

  I licked and kissed my way back up to her neck, undid the string on the pajama bottoms, letting them fall down her long legs.

  She tried to climb me, grinding her pussy against my cock as it thickened in my pants. I loved how uninhibited Shana was with what she wanted. Even when I made her beg me to touch her pussy.

  I played with her, stroking, and teasing her clit until she dripped and soaked my fingers.

  She grabbed my hand and pushed my finger inside her. “Damn you, Nate,” she groaned, breathlessly. Her eyes rolled back, and she moaned, fucking my fingers.

  My blood went hot, and my dick went hard as fuck. Damn, I could’ve come just from watching that. But we both wanted me inside her tight pussy, and like her, I was done waiting.

  I undid my pants and freed my cock. Shana gripped my shoulders, and I lifted her ass against the wall and thrust inside her. She wrapped her legs around my waist as I drove in, and we both cried out. Her fingers dug into my shoulders, and she kissed and bit into my neck.

  I fucked her against the wall, knocking down the picture hanging there. But damn, I didn’t lose my stride. She felt too good for me to care. My head swelled just thinking about how wet and hot she was for me. She drove me crazy, she made me mad, yet I couldn’t get enough of her. I wanted to make it last, but her pussy gripped me. She shook and twisted as she orgasmed, squeezing my cock tight as I kept pounding inside her. Before I came, I pulled out and set her on her feet. “Suck me, Shana.”

  She dropped down on shaky legs and opened her mouth.

  I grabbed her head and thrust my dick to the back of her throat. “Fuck, Shana.”

  I came, and she swallowed me down. After, I joined her on the floor and put my arm around her. We leaned against the wall, catching our breaths.

  There we were again. Happy, but no idea what would keep us together.

  Shana

  When I awoke alone in Nathan’s bed, I discovered he’d left a yellow rose on the pillow next to me.

  I’m collecting on that bet today, Charlie

  Dress in something you can wear on a motorcycle

  I’ll pick you up at your Orion-Tech at noon

  P.S. I left the keys to the Ford Torino. You’re welcome.

  P.P.S. No naked strolls while I’m not there, or else.

  I laughed. Charlie was a Top Gun reference. What did Nate have planned for us?

  Something cheesy and romantic, I had no doubt. And I’d make fun of whatever Nathan had planned, even though every moment we spent together meant so much to me. At least, that was how things were between us before last night.

  No matter how many times I reached for him, he was there. He kissed and caressed all over my body for hours, branding my skin in a way no other man would ever reach. It made sex more intimate. He brought me to tears.

  I cried by myself, but rarely in front of anyone else—apart from Jackson sometimes. Although when I did, he was ready to tell off or fight with whoever had caused me pain. This only escalated situations. The more pain I experienced, the more I shut it down so it wouldn’t become a big deal. I never allowed anyone else to get that close. Even now, I could give my body to Nate to have any time he wanted, but not my heart.

  But he took my heart anyway. He showed me mine never left him. Most of all, he proved he’d stay at my side through my life’s lows. The man was so good, he made me want to be better.

  In the early hours, when the dream of Jackson’s death threatened to pull me under again, he lifted me by wrapping me in his strong arms. I’d felt protected and cared for. I never wanted to be without him or for the night to end. But could I have him and this life? Could I live every day wondering if I’d ever see him again? For the first time in a long time, I wanted to do more than exist. I wanted to live in my future.

  I showered and took his Ford Torino for a spin before returning to my parents’ house to change. As I packed an overnight bag, a fun idea came to mind as I rummaged through my clothes for a white shirt, jeans, and leather jacket. I added a few curls to my hair and dressed in a suit for work.

  Before I left, I went to see Mom. She had a group of landscapers reworking her already perfect garden. I called over and gave her a wave, which she actually returned before I headed to the car. After placing my stuff in the trunk, I found Dad coming up from the house’s side. He looked like he was headed out for more golf, though it was early.

  He came to the car and admired it. “You’re driving a Torino. Is something wrong with your Chevelle?”

  I smiled. “No, Nathan let me drive his car.”

  “I see. You always loved old cars.”

  I smiled. I hadn’t ever thought Dad noticed. “Yes. I have, like Gran and Gramps.”

  He nodded. “I hear you’re a match for the bone marrow.”

  “Really?” My voice lifted. “I must have missed their message somehow. Mom hadn’t told me. That’s great news.”

  “She only heard the news this morning.” His voice trailed off. It was clear Dad still loved Mom. “Well, Ruby and I are off on the boat. You’re welcome to join us again.”

  I sighed. “Thank you, but I have to go to work soon.”

  “I see. You’ve shown true dedication to your job and community service. I’m impressed.”

  My phone buzzed with a call from Amber, and I turned it off. I’d been meaning to get back in touch with her after running into Skelly. I didn’t believe his shit, but I still hated not remembering what happened that night. My phone rang again, and Dad gave me a wave and walked back up the driveway to the bridge.

  This time I answered. “Yes.”

  “Hey, my mom would like you to stop over. She’s packing for a trip, and it’s an emergency.
Can you?” she asked.

  “Sure, but I don’t have much time.”

  She lived less than a mile from the house and was waiting at the door, but I had to ask before I went in. “Do you remember Skelly and me at the club?”

  She laughed loudly. “You don’t?”

  “Just cut your shit and tell me the truth,” I grumbled.

  “Easy, grumpy.” She laughed. “It was a crazy night. We were both high, but we had fun. Pam’s daughter overdosed, but stuff like that happens sometimes. It had nothing to do with you. I mean, hello, you just came to town.”

  I rubbed my neck. Stuff happened. That was the same thing people told me when Jackson died. When it happened to you personally, it became more than stuff. I had thought, and still did, Amber had to have seen something. “Do you have any photos of the night?”

  Her gaze turned distant, and her mouth hung open. “Photos? Oh, from the party night?” She fished the phone out of her pocket and tapped in her password. “Yeah, if you want to see them, I have some on my phone.” She handed it to me.

  There were pictures of us with the group of her friends all dressed up for the bachelorette party.

  “When is the wedding?” I asked.

  “Oh, it was last week. I thought I told you. She kept it small. They went to Rome.”

  I scrolled through a few more. Some were things I remembered, some I didn’t. Skelly and Evan and a few others were in them, and there were a couple of me with them. In some, I received sloppy kisses and tongues stroked on my cheeks.

  I cringed. “Shit. Why did you take photos instead of stopping me?” But then that wasn’t anyone’s job but my own. I waved my hand dismissively. “Forget it.”

  Amber already had. We scrolled through more images on her phone. She had many photos of us partying that I had forgotten, even a few from high school. I never thought I had a problem, but the night had me happily smiling, hugging, and kissing people I didn’t remember. I scrolled back and saw myself lying on the floor next to her, but my bag wasn’t in the shot.

  “As you see, there’s nothing but us partying. Don’t you have to go to work soon? Mom’s expecting you in her room.” She took the phone and put it back in her purse.

  I frowned. “Why didn’t you show these to me earlier or to the police?”

  Her mouth dropped open. “I didn’t think it was important. You didn’t do it, right? They have no proof.” She fixed her eyes on me. “Are you accusing me of covering up stuff? Why would I do that? You’re my friend. I never turned you away when things got shitty here. Remember?”

  I did. Amber hadn’t treated me like a pariah after Jackson died. She didn’t exclude me, even when I made an ass of myself at parties in the past. We’d laughed at ourselves and moved on like we hadn’t cared. I’d liked that.

  “Shana!” Loren, Amber’s mom, appeared and led me to her master bedroom.

  She already had most of her things ready, and they were perfect, but she wanted a second opinion, which I gave her. All the time we fussed over clothes and shoes, Amber sat quietly, and Loren didn’t even try to include her. And that’s when I realized why Amber and I had stayed friends all these years. She’d been alone in her house, just like I had been in mine. But unlike me, she never left or changed. She’d stayed . . . stuck a child. Seeing the way Loren treated her, it was no wonder she still acted out.

  Amber went to the kitchen to get drinks for us and left her purse open on the bed. An idea popped into my head, and I quickly dug in and was pleased to find she’d left her phone behind. Lucky for me, her “killing it” password hadn’t changed. I quickly located the folder with the photos and selected them to forward it to my phone. I didn’t know if they would help my case, but I’d send them to Nate and my lawyer.

  “Where’s Amber?” Loren appeared from her closet. I don’t know how long she watched me, but her smile lost its luster.

  I froze with the phone in hand. Shit. “She went to get some drinks.”

  Our eyes met, and nervousness settled in my stomach. Loren crossed to me and frowned down at the phone.

  “Is there something wrong with your phone?” Her exuberant smile wilted.

  I laughed. “I wanted to see some photos Amber showed me.”

  She pursed her lips and as cold as steel took the phone from my hand and placed it in her pocket. “You can wait and ask her to do that for you.” She made a pose. “So, what do you think of this outfit for the evening?”

  I forced a smile on my face. “Loren, you look fabulous.”

  “Why don’t you come over and help me in the closet instead of having me come out here?” she said and waited for me to follow her back.

  She took off the pantsuit and picked up another dress. Amber’s phone slipped onto the floor. As she stepped into the gown, I bent to collect it.

  “Leave the phone,” she snapped, her tone sharp as a knife-edge.

  “You know, I really need to go.”

  “Yeah. I think I can handle it from here. I’ve got things to do too. Thank you, Shana.”

  She turned toward the mirrors like I was no longer there, and I left the room.

  When I went back to my car, I checked my phone. Some of the photos forwarded, but not nearly the treasure trove Amber had. I sent what I had to Nate and my lawyer and sent a message to Amber.

  Shana: I’d like some photos you took at the bachelorette party and club. I sent myself some, but your mom took your phone. Could you send me the rest?

  I drove to work and checked my phone when I arrived.

  My message was marked read, although there was no reply from Amber. She could’ve been busy, or her mom could’ve told her not to get involved.

  My phone buzzed by the elevator.

  Amber: I’m sorry my phone is acting up. As soon as I get it repaired, I’ll send the photos.

  I’ll pencil in “never” for seeing those photos again.

  Shana

  The workday couldn’t go by fast enough. When the clock turned twelve, I was out of the swivel chair and into the ladies’ room to change into my outfit. As I exited, I found Mr. Matheson waiting in the hallway.

  “You’re heading out?”

  “Yeah. I worked a few hours extra last week to leave early today. You know, flextime?” The time you use every other day to golf. I’d been here seven weeks and he still asked every week.

  He huffed. “Yeah. I know. Are you going somewhere special?”

  I smiled. “Yes. Nathan’s picking me up now.”

  He frowned. “So you go on dates, I see. Well, before you do that, you need to order my lunch first.”

  “I already have, Mr. Matheson.”

  “You also need to transfer it onto a plate with silverware and serve it to me on a tray . . . or is that too hard to remember?”

  I turned on my heels and rolled my eyes. “Of course not. I’ll just let Nathan know I’ll be a few minutes longer.”

  “No personal calls on the job.”

  “Can Nathan come up here?”

  “No,” he grumbled.

  “Then I need to send a message,” I said and took out my phone while he pouted like a spoiled brat.

  I had a couple messages. One from the hospital that informed me to call about the bone marrow test results. The other call was from Zander, the only app investor that hadn’t pulled out. I sent Nate a text message first.

  Shana: Heading downstairs soon. I have to wait to serve the king his food.

  He wrote back a few moments later.

  Nathan: That’s perfect. I’m about fifteen minutes away. Can’t wait to see you. xx

  Shana: You too xx

  I smiled, then played the voice message.

  “Hi, Shana. It’s Zander. I wanted to find out how you’re doing with your app? I spoke with Omni Corporation, and they’re interested in purchasing it. They’re also open to keeping you on as a creative director. If you’re interested, let me know soon, and I’ll set up a meeting in LA.”

  My stomach twisted in knots.
I hadn’t heard from any of my investment partners since I left LA. The opportunity was more than I’d hoped for. Did I want to go back? The stress had been unbearable, but my money troubles could go away. I wouldn’t have to deal with working this horrible job anymore. I’d have a career again and could show my dad I could secure my own investors and succeed. If things progressed, I was sure I could work around the surgery, then move back to LA full-time. Maybe even with my trust fund. Of course, only if I was able to resolve the drug charge.

  So, why wasn’t I happy?

  Nate.

  My heart ached at the thought of leaving him.

  I didn’t know what to do, but I saved the message, got up, and prepared the tray for the delivery. When the food arrived, I quickly put it on Mr. Matheson’s desk.

  “Well, there is enough for two—”

  “Flextime. You agreed I could go after you had your lunch. Bye,” I said, and with a wave, rushed out the door.

  I went outside and stopped in my tracks. Nathan on a Kawasaki GPZ900R Ninja Motorcycle, circa 1984. It was the same one Tom Cruise rode in Top Gun. He looked just as hot in his leather jacket and Ray-Bans.

  I screamed and laughed at the same time. “Where did you find this relic?”

  He grinned. “I have my ways.”

  “You sure this bike will make it down the block?”

  “The bike did its job, you’re impressed. Get on.”

  I put on the helmet he held out, climbed behind him, and held on tight. Excitement charged my skin as we took off. With my head on his back, I molded my body into his, and we became one with the bike. The vibration of the motor coursed through me as the wind beat the air around us and Nathan made for the highway. Although Nate kept close to the speed limit, the thrill of the ride remained. He drove us through stretches of land, past beaches, waterfalls, and cliffs down toward the bay and ocean. We passed places I’d forgotten existed. Sunnyville was indeed a beautiful town.