by Susan Arden
“Little man has got me jealous,” he snorted..
“His ribs aren’t even visible. And his tummy looks like he’s well-fed. We might need to cut back, or put him on a diet soon. Even his collar fits.” She suddenly looked worried.
“What are you thinking?”
Gillian placed Chance on her lap, petting him in slow, sweeping motions. “Can you give me a moment of your time?”
His heartbeat froze. “Sure. What’s on that fascinating mind of yours? Do I get a forewarning? You’re not smiling.”
She shook her head. “No. I just wanted to let you know I’m going out of town. Nothing serious.”
He wrestled with whether he should tell her what he knew. Hell, it wasn’t the first time the Annona grapevine moved lightning fast. He scratched the side of his face, pondering his choices. “The opposite of serious is trivial—minor. So why so glum?”
Gillian sucked in her bottom lip, rolling it between her teeth. Christ, he wanted to set Chance on the carpet, and push this woman down on the sectional. Spread her legs again, and fill her with his hunger. What they had went beyond words, and they did their best communicating hip-to-precious-hip.
“I’m just going to say it. I’m going to Hollywood to meet with a producer. It’s nothing. Something Nana cooked up. Dancing on television. Can you imagine? Me?” There were tears in her eyes. It was enough…too much. He lifted her up into his arms. Pup and all. He strode down the hall to the place where he could assuage their worries, loud and clear.
“Don’t cry, darlin’. You’ll knock ‘em dead with those amazing moves you’ve got. Little man, sit.” He whispered to the pup. There wasn’t a plan in his head, only a longing to make her understand something that plagued him. Shrugging out of his shirt, he unbelted his pants. He undressed, watching her. “Take your clothes off, baby. This is about getting close. Skin to skin.”
He came back to her and they tumbled into his bed, their bodies entwined. Stephen settled her against the pillows, spreading his hands over her belly down to her hips, and widened her legs. His erection jerked in his hand, staring down at her glistening pink skin. The little nub of hers was swollen, and the bar peeking out from her sexy pussy lips made him want to do things to her. Fucking sexy-as-hell things. “Baby, I don’t know why you’ve got this effect on me.”
He turned her onto her side, and moved between her scissored legs. She was so fucking wet, and tight. Entering her, he nearly lost his mind. Her pussy squeezed around him, milked him, and he rocked into her over and over. He’d wanted this to last, but shit, that was a dream. The way Gillian’s sweet lips wrapped around him made his balls tighten the second he began pumping. Her soft whimpers took hold of his desire, stoking the fire in him to claim her.
He lifted her knee. Flexible didn’t describe the way he could move her body to mold around him. Their sweat-slick skins rippled like satin across one another. If he wasn’t careful he’d turn her over, tempted to take her in oh-so-many enticing ways. The thought of keeping her here for the weekend, and making her scream until his dick was raw, had him rocketing into his release. She called his name. He was right there with her, at the edge. The first stream of cum burst from him. Shit. This blast turned into a wild explosion, making him reel. His eyes rolled into the back of his head. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
Another wave, and he was gone. Totally spent in a tidal wave of pleasure and release. His whole body jolted. She took without asking, and what he got in return was worth every second of her clasping him, drawing out everything he had to offer.
He collapsed next to her on the bed, throwing his arm over her waist. They lay together silently, snuggling. Then he moved, tracing an imaginary line running from her elbow up to her shoulder. Just his damned luck that the woman who’d caught him might not be around for much longer. He watched the shadows on the wall, tightening his arms around her. He nibbled on the top of her shoulder, painting a trail of kisses across her skin, and softly bit the place that made her moan. He sent his mouth on a magical trip, wandering up her neck, and he slowly, with unbelievable restraint, used the tip of his tongue around the shell of her ear. A sensuous mission.
“What are you doing to me?” She bucked in his arms. Her soft, naked hips ground against his crotch. Her satin-smooth skin over her ass had him panting. Gillian’s incredible silky hair curled around his fingers, inviting him to take possession.
“Anything you’ll let me get away with.” Now, more than ever, he desired her in every way possible.
The growl from her stomach made him pause, ending his approaching attempt to see if she’d let him try something new. He released a serrated breath, forcing some distance between their bodies, and a measure of common sense into his intoxicated thinking.
He lay back, raking his fingers through his hair. “I owe you a meal.”
“I can help cook. I’m not that much of a stranger in the kitchen.”
* * *
Jesus. She was amazing to watch. Naked, except for an apron and knee socks. Her exposed ass had him dizzy. He tried to concentrate, but ended up burning the eggs. She scooted him out of the way, bumping him with her hip. “Here. Let me. How about if you deal with the plates?”
“What would you like to drink?” he asked, running his hand over her firm rump.
She delegated and he did as he was told. Each time she turned around, he had to forcibly move himself. His boxers tented and there was no way to hide his thoughts.
“You ever get tired? Will you?”
“Baby, apparently not, when you’re around.” And it was true. He might be able to hold his own in the realm of drinking and carousing. But it was more likely the product of overactive imaginations that had earned him his reputation for being a lady’s man. Most tipsy women weren’t difficult to please. Hell, he didn’t think he’d been that difficult to please when he was out of it. He didn’t especially do much to win their affections. Showing up and giving them his attention, there wasn’t much need to impress when all he’d sought was a short-term hookup. Morning-afters constituted a search for clothing before he left without preamble, breakfast or false promises. On the way out the door, he offered a simple, Nice seeing ya.
It was after ten and they ate a hearty breakfast of eggs, flapjacks, bacon, and cut-up fruit. The warmth spreading through his body relaxed him, drawing out his desire to lie down with her next to him.
“I think I should be going.”
“Come again? Where?”
“Home. I don’t want to give Haden an excuse to invite his friends over. He said he was having dinner after his gig. But I don’t think it’s right that no one’s at home when he gets there. Why don’t you come stay at my place? We can bring Chance.”
“You sure it’s not inconvenient? Or uncomfortable?”
She laughed, nodding. “I already filled Haden in on our seeing each other.”
“And what was his reaction?”
Gillian’s gaze lowered for a flash. “At first, I think he was shocked. No. I know he was. He didn’t think it was a good decision. But it doesn’t matter. He didn’t call you out. Did he?”
“No. But don’t take that as his being delighted we’re seeing one another.”
“Regardless, he’s had enough parties. I’m due a sleep-over of my choice. I’m only too sure he won’t have too big an issue. Besides, it would be fun. Maybe we could all have lunch. If you’re not too busy.”
He stood and walked over to the breakfast bar. “I made a few inquiries,” he said as he reached for the pad of paper on the breakfast bar, flipping the pages. “I found these places. Thought they might be of use. My cousin suggested them. I asked as though I was calling for a friend. From the way she spoke, I believe she thought I was asking for myself.”
He’d called his cousin who had ties to the social work community in Clarkesville. She’d provided him with the names of the places where she’d seen positive results with substance abuse. Only two names. But it was a start.
He returned, placing t
he sheet of paper next to her plate. Gazing downward, he could see the gentle slopes of her breasts pushing against the neck of the apron she wore. Gillian shifted on her delicious hip, biting her incredibly sexy lip as she studied the sheet. “Thanks. This means a lot to me. Ummm, we never did finish talking about my trip.”
“Or what it means for us.” He said the unspoken words that loomed in the air between them.
She took hold of his hands, drawing him toward her. “Yes. I think we should take some time and make certain neither one of us is diving in too deep. I see that happening. Do you?”
“We’re coming clean? You’re different than any other woman I’ve…been with.”
“I want so much, and it doesn’t seem fair. I don’t want to get hurt, or make a decision that will shut a door.” Her chin trembled.
“You could mean that either way. Your career, or our relationship. What do you want?”
“That’s just it. I want both. I don’t want to put my dreams on the shelf, but I don’t want to lose you, either.”
“Gillian, I promise you won’t lose me because you go after your dream. Hell, someone should. I’d never hold you back. Never.” He took her beautiful face between his hands.
She blinked. He could see her struggle in a battle for control. “Is it wrong to want everything to be perfect?” she asked.
“It’s only wrong to settle. You fight for what you want. Don’t ever…ever settle.” He kissed her fiercely, hoping that she’d find the strength to go after her dreams with both hands, even if it meant he wasn’t part of that plan. The twinge in his chest began to grow. Take shape. It was branded with her name.
* * *
They’d loaded his truck with Chance’s crate, even though the pup sat on Gillian’s lap for the entire ride. He pulled her across the seat, locking her lips to his. “You taste too good to resist.”
On the highway on a Friday night, the traffic was light. They zipped across the outer part of Annona where his home was located toward Main Street, and a few blocks over was her apartment.
“Shit,” he swore softly. He glanced at the clock on his dash. “It’s early yet. Just barely eleven.”
“My neighbors are going to get tired of this. Night after night for a solid week and half.”
Stephen pulled around the corner, parking near the neighborhood playground. “Uh, do you remember coming to this park?” This was idle chit-chat, aimed at getting her to do anything except lose her temper.
“Yes. I do. And right now, I wish things were different. I’m sorry to drag you into this mess. If you want to drop me off and go back home, I understand.”
“Hush. Don’t say a word. Hear me out. If you want to know what’s going on, I can go inside and see what Haden’s up to.”
“I can’t ask that of you. So far, I’ve tried to look the other way. Not tonight. Not this time.”
“Right,” he exhaled. “Hold on and let me get your door.”
Stephen swung her from the passenger seat, her body grazing his, and the friction had him focused on her. “It might not be a pretty sight. Things can tend to get pretty stormy before they get better.”
“Yeah. I think you’re right. I don’t think we should bring Chance in…not until the coast is clear.”
“With the windows cracked, he’ll be fine for a few minutes.”
She placed her palms on Stephen’s chest. The act had him aching to tell her what she meant to him. He brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed her open palm, planting what swam in his heart on her skin.
They entered the apartment, greeted by a cloud of smoke. Smelled like cigarette smoke, and something more potent. “It smells strange. Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked, whispering against her hair.
“More than ever. Or it won’t ever stop.”
There were more than a dozen guys in the living room and kitchen. Their gazes flashed to Gillian and Stephen standing at the door. No one appeared strung out, or even drunk. On edge, more like it. The hairs on the back of Stephen’s neck bristled.
“Fucking A,” Haden’s unmistakable voice rang out as he exited the kitchen. His old friend’s expression was far removed from a welcoming demeanor. “Turn my back for a second and you take advantage. Stephen. Bro. And after all we’ve been through. You swore that you’d watch out for her if something happened to me. At the funeral of our parents. You fucking cocksucker. Haven’t seen you for years. But you promised. Now, you’re back in the picture. For what, a week? If she’s lucky. You’re gonna do that to my little sister?” Haden’s face was flushed, and he jabbed his finger into Stephen’s chest.
Stephen wasn’t going to react, for Gillian’s sake, and he kept his arms down by his sides. “Hold on. I’ve not done anything to break that trust.”
“What are you talking about, Haden?” Gillian asked.
Haden swung his gaze from Stephen over to his sister. “This isn’t between you and me, Sis. This is between people who were once friends. Not backstabbing dicks.”
“No one has done anything behind your back.”
“I fucking disagree. Man, you’ve burned a trail through this town, all the fucking way to Clarkesville, with your shit. What, no more women who will have you? My sister isn’t one of your bar bunnies, you stupid son-of-a-bitch.” Haden came at him, charging, madder than a bull. Stephen caught him and pushed him back.
Two men came up behind Stephen, holding him and pinning his arms. “We got him. Like you asked, Haden,” one of them said.
“Are you crazy?” Gillian yelled at her brother. “Stop this! Right now.” Her eyes locked with Stephen’s, beseeching his understanding.
Her expression kept Stephen’s control in place. He didn’t fight, didn’t want to get Gillian more upset. Haden landed a punch to his jaw. Stephen shook his head and stared at his old friend.
“I’ve not done anything to be ashamed of, and neither has your sister.”
“She’s not your concern. You’ll never see her again. Or maybe I should round up of some of your previous lovers. Say, from last week. Bet they’d be able to retell how much you really care about Gillian.” Something snapped inside Stephen. Even disoriented from the sting at his jaw, he disengaged himself rapidly, first with a well-placed knee to one man’s belly, and then a hard-hitting punch landed to another’s jaw. Nothing terribly violent was required to get free from the two men, who might not be completely drunk, but weren’t at full sail, either.
At the point he turned, he saw some movement in his peripheral vision and he swung, a fast jab, hitting Haden in the face. Fuck, he’d not meant to deck Haden, who backed up, swearing.
“Really. That’s the best you got, Stephen?” Haden mocked, and then his fists went crazy, swinging at everything including the wall, knocking over the vase of roses, and clocking Stephen in the face and shoulder as he tried to get hold of him. Haden continued an out-of-control wailing.
Stephen stepped in front of Gillian, but then she moved and Haden struck her in the jaw. Stephen had maintained his cool until that moment. He took one look at Gillian, and everything in the room receded. His body heated as a line of fire snapped down his spine.
“I’m fine. Stephen, really. This is nothing.”
He wiped the droplets of blood trickling from her mouth.
“Not to me. Stand over there,” he commanded her softly. It was his turn, and he went after Haden. “What’s wrong with you?”
“She needs to be smacked if she’s willing to climb into your bed. Fuck off, man.” Haden snarled.
Stephen didn’t keep track of the times he punched his old friend—he just did. Until Haden slumped, grabbing hold of his shirt. Blood dripped down Haden’s face. And then he heard Gillian’s harsh words. “Stop, Stephen. You need to leave. Please. Let me deal with him. This has done more harm than good. No more. Just leave.”
Chapter 13
The lump on her jaw had subsided by Monday. Not the lump on her heart. She’d allowed Haden’s friends to roughly eject Stephen
from the apartment. She’d received numerous messages from him on her cellphone Friday night, and then again Saturday morning. But what could she say? Her life was hell, and welcome to the party? She wasn’t going to do that to anyone who didn’t need this headache.
Haden came up next to her as she sat on the couch. “Look, I’m sorry you got hurt. But, shit, Stephen is nothing but bad news.”
“Got hurt? You act like somehow you’re protecting me, Haden.”
“I know you don’t want to hear it, but I don’t remember much from last night other than our conversation before I left. Before you went on your date.” Haden’s face flushed.
“Don’t go there. What we’re going to do is deal with this. Today.”
Sinking down onto the sofa, he inhaled and leaned his head back, closing his eyes. “Fine. Whatever.”
She called a meeting with Nana and her grandfather. Standing in front of Haden, Gillian said, “You’re going to be part of the solution. I know I can go to court and do something. You’re endangering your life.” She didn’t include, and other people’s.
Her brother attended without a choice. She’d gotten in touch with Megan, Stephen’s cousin, at the Clarkesville rehabilitation center. Megan assured her that the paperwork would be sent over as an emergency intake for Sunday, as long as Haden agreed and signed himself in for treatment. If not, then they’d need two family members to sign witness statements, but it would have to go to court, which could take a week or longer.
Christ, she thought. Nana had the ability to act as one concerned family member and Gillian could sign as the other. But go to court, and Haden might leave. No, this required coercion. The door opened and her grandparents came forward.
“Haden, we’re here to help,” Nana said.
“Son, what can we do?”
Gillian left her grandfather with Haden while she spoke in private with Nana. “You’ve got to get him to agree. The treatment center can take him tomorrow, before noon. But only if he’s in agreement. Otherwise, we’ll have to seek a court order.”
