Chloe went to sit next to Darice on the floor. She wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “What happened to you after?”
She shrugged. “I called 9-1-1. I did three years in juvenile detention for involuntary manslaughter. When I got out, I left the state and went to college. I didn’t look back.”
Chloe drew Darice into a hug. “I—I’m sorry for asking you to talk about it, but your mother’s death wasn’t your fault, baby. Your father and your uncle were pigs. They deserved what they got.”
Darice pulled back, eyeing her suspiciously. “I don’t feel remorse for killing them, Coe,” she said in a hard tone. “I’ve beaten up guys since then for looking at me wrong. I have two assault charges which I actually pleaded out on.”
Chloe frowned cupping her jaw. “But you’ve changed.”
“No, I haven’t,” she whispered. “There is still a monster inside me. It’s just sleeping.”
“You’re not jealous or possessive,” Chloe murmured. “You won’t hurt me, Darice.”
“If you tried to leave me, I might,” she said. “I’m like my father, Chloe. I don’t like losing. I’ll fight to the bitter end that’s why I can’t take you back.”
“You won’t hurt me, and I trust that,” Chloe said again. “You said you loved me and I believe that.” She kissed Darice’s jaw.
“Coe, listen to me,” Darice put a hand on her waist. “I’m not really what you need now that you’re free.”
“I’ll never be free,” Chloe whispered. She would always want Darice back, always ache for her, need her.
Darice stroked Chloe’s cheek with the fingers of her free hand. Chloe reveled in the heat in her eyes. Darice kissed Chloe roughly and pushed her onto her back.
“I want you,” Darice murmured. Her eyes held Darice’s as her chest began to rise and fall rapidly. A thrill of excitement went through her and Darice glided her hands up beneath the lightweight fabric of the dress. She found Chloe’s breasts bare.
“Chloe,” she said softly. “Were you planning to seduce me again?”
“I just wanted to be with you, baby,” she answered breathlessly and stroked her hands over Darice’s arms.
Darice leaned toward her, palming Chloe’s small yet plump breasts. Their lips met, and Chloe’s parted allowing Darice’s tongue to slip into her hot mouth. Darice’s tongue brushed over hers, thrust deeper into her mouth.
Chloe moaned, reveling in the velvety feel of Darice’s tongue against hers. She arched toward her, arms circling Darice’s neck. Darice kneaded her soft flesh as she trailed kisses along the side of Chloe’s neck to where shoulder and neck met. Her tongue licked, warm and gentle before her lips firmed and sucked at her succulent flesh.
Chloe moaned harshly as she pushed a hand into the tiny thick curls of Darice’s hair. “Dari.” Chloe breathed out roughly as she tipped her head to one side and soft lips skimmed over her throat.
Her fingers pinched one nipple sending pin prickles of pleasure coursing through her.
Chloe gasped and her pussy moistened. “Yes, Darice,” she moaned roughly.
Darice sucked her throat and her hand drifted down between Chloe’s legs. Her fingers trailed over the pump mound to cup her before pushing past the band of Chloe’s panties. Chloe’s breath came out in jagged pants as slim fingers whispered over her clit. Her hips jerked, her eyes closed, and her fingers clenched tighter in Darice’s hair.
“Ooo!” She drew in a ragged breath.
Darice’s thumb pressed against her clit while one finger pressed into her entrance to test the dampness of her pussy. Sliding in through the sticky syrup, her finger penetrated the tight cavern.
She gripped Darice’s shoulder with her free hand as she rolled her hips trying to impale herself on her finger. “Darice. I want you so bad,” she said huskily.
“I want to eat the nectar from you.”
Chloe trembled, her clit pulsed, her womb clenched. “Feast on me.”
“Like this?” She drew her finger out and thrust it back before pressing against her clit. Darice looked down at her braced on one hand and her knees.
Chloe gasped, breathing harder. “Like that.”
Darice withdrew her finger and pressed two back into the tight humid depths. “Your pussy’s so wet, baby, it’s driving me crazy.” She pressed her thumb more firmly against Chloe’s clit and fucked her with rough strokes. Chloe writhed against her hand, gripped her hair and whimpered as she tried to grind against Darice’s hand.
“Oh fuck. It’s so good!” She mewled as Darice took her with dominant efficiency. Chloe’s hips arched off the floor and Darice drew her fingers free.
“Lift your hips, Coe.”
Chloe pressed her feet into the floor and lifted enough for Darice to pull her panties down and slide them over her legs. Chloe watched with anticipation as Darice tossed the panties aside and pushed the skirt of her dress up revealing her sun-gold skin.
Darice lowered her head and brushed her lips over Chloe’s belly. Her warm tongue played over the top of one thigh.
“Your pussy smells so sweet and hot, Chloe.” She looked up at her before drawing her tongue up Chloe’s juicy slit. Chloe’s hips jerked and her thighs fell wider apart. “You taste so good, baby.”
Chloe’s breath came in hard pants, her heart pounded fast.
Darice used two fingers to part Chloe’s plump lips before dipping her tongue between them into the simmering depths of her wet center. She fucked her with lazy strokes drawing soft groans from Chloe before licking around the erect nubbin. Chloe cried out, thrust her hips up.
“Dari!”
Darice’s tongue was a whip of pleasure as it circled her clit and lightly flickered over it. She licked over Chloe’s pleasure button again and then stroked it with a slim finger before sucking it. Bliss shot through her, a sharp stab. She tried to thrust her hips up, but Darice held them down with an arm across them.
“Oh!” She was going out of her mind. “Oh, yes. Yes!” Fingers thrust hard into her pussy as her warm tongue lashed her clit. Chloe’s body tightened and she came with a hard wail.
Long moments later, Chloe stroked Darice’s stomach as they lay on the floor.
“Are you okay?” Darice asked.
“Do I have you back?” Chloe asked quietly and looked up at Darice. There was no tension in her face, but her brow was furrowed. “I won’t lie and say I won’t ever be suspicious, but Darice you have to give us a chance. I love you as much as you love me. Don’t cheat us both of the happiness we could have together.”
Darice caressed Chloe’s back. “Are you sure you want to chance this?”
“Don’t you?”
“Yes.” Darice nodded. “I want you back too, Chloe.”
Chloe smiled softly and claimed Darice’s lips tasting the essence of herself on them. “I won’t let you go this time, Darice. You’re stuck with me.”
Chapter Ten
The next morning Chloe woke with her head on Darice’s back and a smile tugged at her lips. She stretched lazily, her body brushing the silky skin of her lover’s back. Darice had always slept naked since they become lovers, and she’d made Chloe sleep without underwear.
She caressed Darice’s arm and kissed the back of her neck. Darice’s breathing was still steady, but it was clear she was awake. “Good morning, baby.”
Darice rolled onto her back and smiled up at Chloe. “Morning, sunshine.”
Chloe grinned. She had missed that. She tucked her hair behind her ear and bent to kiss Darice. “I’ve missed waking up with you.”
Darice curved her arm around Chloe’s waist. “Liar,” she teased and pulled Chloe down for another kiss. “You just missed morning sex.”
Chloe laughed and sat up, straddling Darice. She started to tug her nightgown over her head and Darice’s hand on Chloe’s stopped her. Chloe gave her a questioning look. “I need you,” she said in a pleading tone. She always wanted sex in the morning, needed it.
“Leave it on,” she murm
ured and slid her hands over Chloe’s thighs, caressing her skin.
Shivers of pleasure ran through Chloe. She loved the feel of Darice’s hands stroking her skin. She ground slowly against Darice and moaned softly. “I love the way you touch me.”
Darice gripped her hips. “Mmm, baby. Don’t stop that sweet motion.”
Chloe moved sensually against her rubbing their clits together. She pressed her hands to the bed as Darice thrust up against her. Darice moaned and then sat up.
She kissed Chloe. “Ride me harder,” she commanded.
Chloe braced her hands on Darice’s shoulder and rubbed harder and faster against her. “God, it feels so good,” Chloe said roughly. She tilted her head back, eyes closed.
“Oh, fuck yeah,” Darice groaned. She made soft sounds of pleasure and rolled her hips as Chloe gyrated erotically against her. She gave Chloe’s ass a hard swat and Chloe screamed as she came, her cream dampening Darice’s mound.
Chloe moaned. “I love you, Darice.”
“Love you too.” Darice kissed her and then lay back holding Chloe close. “We’re going to have to take off soon and spend the whole day just like this.”
“I second that,” Chloe said and then stilled. She frowned deeply, staring down at Darice. “Are you serious?” Darice had never mentioned taking off. Work was a must, it was everything. She put a hand on the bed next to Darice. “You don’t mean take off on a work day?” she demanded incredulously.
Darice smiled up at her and captured a strand of Chloe’s hair. “Last night made me realize you don’t know me as well as you should and that is my fault. I want to change that. So, next weekend starting on Friday, we’re going to the county. So, try to get that day off.”
“Oh, I will if we’re leaving early,” she said, awe shimmering through her.
“We are, but in the meantime, you’re going to be late if we don’t get a move on.”
Chloe laughed. “I need to start the coffee.” She carefully rolled out of bed and padded to the kitchen to turn on the coffee pot before heading to the bathroom. She smiled when she found Darice already there.
Chloe leaned against the wall after grabbing her toothbrush. “We need a bigger bathroom,” she said. “And double vanities.” She stepped forward when Darice finished at the sink.
“I agree, and my new place is just what the doctor ordered,” Darice told her giving Chloe a secret smile. “It’s bigger than this place but if you don’t like it, I won’t take it. I’m taking a second look at one today. Can you get away?”
She rinsed before she choked on the water in her mouth. “I would love to,” she said. She hadn’t expected Darice to consider moving right now. They were newly back together with their relationship still a little tender.
“Great,” Darice said and then turned on the shower. “I’ll pick you up at your office. Come in here with me, Coe.” She stepped into the shower and pulled the curtain behind her.
Chloe finished brushing her teeth and climbed into the shower. Darice pulled her into a kiss as she backed up to stand beneath the spray.
“Mmm.” Chloe sighed. Yes, Darice was hers. No one but her had a right to her.
Darice slid her hands up Chloe’s back and into her hair. She tugged her head back and nipped her bottom lip before sucking it into her mouth. Chloe gripped Darice’s hips as she strained to get closer.
“You’ll be late if I don’t stop,” Darice murmured. “But you feel so damn good.” She kissed Chloe again and then reached for a bottle of body gel and a loofah. “I’m glad you’ll be there to give me your opinion.” Darice rubbed Chloe’s chest with the soapy sponge.
Chloe didn’t protest when Darice washed her front and then her back. She reveled in her care even as Darice washed her hair. Her fingers were firm in their massage, stroking nerves to life she didn’t even know she had. Her muscles relaxed, and she moaned softly. Darice kissed her neck.
“You’re enjoying this aren’t you?”
“I am,” Chloe said drowsily. “One of the sexiest things you’ve ever done to me.”
“I’m going to do a lot more sexy things,” Darice said. “Now, rinse while I clean up,” Darice ordered.
Chloe didn’t argue. She stepped beneath the spray and rinsed her hair. She’d missed Darice’s dominant, take charge personality. It balanced her nature so well.
She tended to forget to pay the bills, and she made a mess of her checkbook. She overspent and blew her budget to hell when she saw something she just had to have. Darice was always all over that kind of thing. Bills were paid first, groceries bought, and then fun stuff could be done.
They finished their showers and dried off. Darice had her coffee while Chloe dried her hair. She moisturized her face and then added lipstick. Darice had forbidden her to wear makeup four months after they started dating. She’d felt naked without it at first, but her skin was so much healthier.
She finished up and went into the living room where Darice was finishing up her coffee while watching the financial news.
“Walk me out?” Chloe asked.
“Yeah.” Darice turned off the TV. “I need to get going too.” She took Chloe’s hand and led her out the door.
Chloe smiled as tendrils of happiness unfolded in her stomach.
****
Darice finished up the shoot two hours later and headed to her office to find her phone ringing. She didn’t have much time. She had to prep her studio for today’s magazine shoot. She yanked up the receiver. “McMasters,” she said evenly.
“Ms. McMasters, we’re canceling our shoot,” the crisp voice said into her ear.
The men’s clothing company. It was a big name business that was located right here in town. She didn’t have a contract with them, but they used her services all the time.
“Is there a reason you’re suddenly dissatisfied with my work, Mr. Cross?” she asked knowing the reason.
“We’ve just decided that after that incident with the male model it would be better not to continue to retain your services,” he said coolly.
“Well, I’m surprised you’d take anything Ms. St. Claire said at face value, but I guess you two are friends.”
“We are,” he admitted. “And I’d rather avoid any false lawsuits and unnecessary payoffs.”
“I don’t understand,” Darice said with a frown.
“She told me how you attempted to extort money from her when she refused to give you the contract,” he said.
She laughed through the fury gathering in her belly. “Well, I am surprised she’d say such a thing since I bowed out of negotiations yesterday,” she replied. “She and I weren’t seeing eye to eye on the financial end of the project. She wanted me to do it for ten percent less than it’s worth, and I make no apologies for it to you or to her. Thank you for the call, Mr. Cross. I appreciate you being man enough to call me yourself instead of having your secretary do it.”
“Ten percent less?” he asked, and she heard the confusion in his voice. “I thought she wanted you to do commercials and still ads.”
“She did which is the reason I had to bow out,” she told him as she used her foot to swivel her chair back and forth.
“Your reputation as a photographer alone is worth the ten percent,” he said. “Thanks to your work our product has increased in sales.”
“I always do my best for a client, Mr. Cross because I’m a pro, but I understand your fear of losing her friendship and social alliances,” she said. “Have a nice day.” She slammed the phone down and got to her feet, seething with rage.
This was going to be a big loss to her, but she’d weather the storm, she thought as she drew in a slow breath and released it. Her phone rang again and she jerked it from its cradle willing herself to calm down before speaking.
“Good morning, Darice,” Marie drawled in a too-pleased-with-herself-tone. “Did you sleep well?”
Darice gritted her teeth. “I slept fine.”
“Is your morning getting off to a good start?” Ma
rie taunted.
“I don’t enjoy being fucked with, Marie especially by bratty sluts who spread their legs for anyone who wants a taste.”
“I always win,” Marie told her coldly. “Just wait. I’m not done with your business or you yet. But if you come crawling over right now, and beg my forgiveness I’ll consider letting the rest of the plan drop.”
She laughed bitterly. “Kiss my ass,” she said coldly. “I’m not a puppet and it’s going to take more than this to break me.”
Marie laughed softly in her ear obviously pleased with the anger she’d incited. “Well, you know what they say about a woman scorned?” she purred.
“You’re a brat not a woman,” Darice said coldly. “Keep this up—”
“I’m going to shred your life, Darice,” Marie cut in. “If you give me that tape now, I’ll leave you something to salvage.”
Darice clenched her fingers tight on the handle. “You’re not getting it, and if you want to play hardball, fine,” she snapped and carefully put it back in its cradle. If Marie wanted to play games, fine. She’d learned cruelty at a cop’s knee. Her conscious had been shaped by darkness and honed in blood. She knew how to look like a good girl but play like a bad one.
Chapter Eleven
“Good morning, Chloe.” Sabrina Cain’s voice was a quiet yet friendly sound in the quiet room.
Chloe looked to the doorway to find her boss peering in at her. The older woman stepped in when Chloe smiled, her tailored suit reminding Chloe a little of Darice. They both had this professional image that said confidence.
“Good morning, boss,” she said and leaned back in her chair.
“I see Selena’s late again,” Sabrina commented glancing to Selena’s empty desk. “That girl really needs to get her priorities straight.” She sighed as she folded her tall frame into the single straight backed chair before Chloe’s desk. “How’s the piece coming?”
“Okay.” It was coming along better than she had thought it would. She hadn’t known at the start that Darice would be so cooperative. She’d expected anger or flat out indifference, but she hadn’t expected them to get back together. Her lips tilted into a little smile as she thought of their plans for this afternoon.
Mad About Her Page 5
