Dammit! I can hear it now. Hey, Mama, I just wanted to let you know I did the noble thing and got a girl drunk. Then, I slept with her so no other guy would. It just doesn’t sound right. Maybe I can still change her mind.
“Fuck … okay,” I agree. “I’m in.”
She smiles brightly. Damn. Maybe she’ll change my mind.
~*~
Not even one hour.
Four drinks.
And a few more attempts from Katia to grab hold of Emma in some way.
That’s all it takes for Emma to grab my hand and drag me outside. She’s drunk all right. I was hoping to have more time to convince her otherwise. The nights are still warm even though it’s fall. Yeah, I’m trying to think of the weather and shit like that, but it all goes south when we get outside and Emma swings around. She slams hard into me and lifts herself up on her toes. I feel every curve of her body press into mine and my pulse speeds up, racing a mile a minute. Her mouth presses hot on the corner of my lips. I think she was aiming to kiss me, but missed.
“Let’s get you to a bed.” My voice comes out raspy, and I clear my throat as her hands slip down my chest. My muscles tighten under her touch as she drops them lower. I settle my hands over hers to keep them from going too low. I am a man, after all is said and done; I am still just a man.
My new roommate is only coming in on Sunday. I’ll let her crash in his room for the night. But she doesn’t pass out as I hoped she would, on the drive over. She’s really cute, walking to the wrong side of the car, and her eyes go huge every time a car comes at us. She must still not be used to driving on the opposite side of the road.
I stop outside the apartment block and watch her tug at her seatbelt as if it will just spring loose on her command. Like I said, real cute.
“Let me get that for you.”
I reach over and unsnap her, but before I can pull back her hands are soft on my face and slip into my hair, pulling me in. Oh Fuck!
“Wow, they do get more intense when I touch your face,” she murmurs against my mouth.
“What?”
“The tingles,” she admits with her new-found drunken bravery.
I meant to put her to bed. I meant to be a gentleman. But there is only so much a man can take.
Her hot mouth presses against mine and she teases me with those full lips I’ve been staring at. The second her tongue slips over my bottom lip, I grab for her hips, pulling her to my side of the car. I bring her leg over me so she’s straddling me. Just a little taste. I’ll allow myself a small taste of paradise.
Then she moans and opens her mouth, and I feel like I’m teetering on the edge of heaven’s bliss. I thought I‘d been to heaven and back before, but this is different. She has me standing on the edge of the unknown, and when our tongues meet, I want to just free-fall. I dig my fingers into her hips, tugging her closer, and another moan drifts up her throat.
I slip my hand up the back of her shirt, brushing her soft skin. I nip at her bottom lip. I’ve wanted to do that since I spotted the tiny freckle Katia tried to wipe off earlier. I should thank Katia. If it wasn’t for her unwanted attention, Emma wouldn’t be sitting on my lap right now.
The thought makes me hold her tighter, pressing her body into mine. She hums her approval as my fingers trail up her smooth skin towards her neck. Her shirt inches up with my arm, and I bring my other hand up to her exposed ribs. She feels so good.
I should take her up. I should put her in bed. I shouldn’t touch her. I shouldn’t kiss her.
She pulls away and takes hold of my hand resting on her ribs. Now there’s a lot I should’ve done and there’s a lot I shouldn’t be doing, but when she slips my hand under her shirt and presses it hard against her breast, it’s game over.
Just one more slip of my hand and the slight piece of lace is no longer in my way, I have full access to all that soft flesh of her breast. The warmth of her skin, the hardening bud, coupled with her grinding her pelvis down into me, is unbelievably erotic.
“Dammit, you’re hot,” I growl, before crushing my mouth against hers.
She kisses me back with the same maddening frenzy, then she grabs my shirt, slipping her hands in underneath. I take hold of her hair, tilting her head. I break the kiss so I can taste her neck. Her skin is all creamy, and I start beneath her ear, working my way down to her neck. She moans and I feel the vibration against my lips.
Then she surprises me by trailing her hands down and taking hold of my pants. She grinds down real hard into me, making my vision blur for a second. This is not good, I’m definitely not going to be able to keep control of anything if she goes down there.
Her fingers slip just in, brushing my overly sensitive skin, and the world spins out of control around me.
Her mouth brushes my ear, making my body ache for her. “Do you want me to beg?” she whispers, and it’s just about the hottest thing I’ve ever heard.
“Hell no,” I groan.
It takes me mere seconds to get us out of the car and up the stairs.
It only takes one second to cool us both right on down.
“Aiden! Oh, good, you found Emma.” Ms. Jessie. There is nothing like Ms. Jessie to sober you up, cool you down and put you back on the straight and narrow. It’s like your grandmother walking in on you.
“I found Emma?” I’m completely lost. As I stand with my arm around Emma, I feel her whole body stiffen next to me.
“Your roommate. She came early and I let-” Ms. Jessie’s eyes widen and we hear a garbled ‘pardon me’ before Emma runs for my door.
I see her take the key from her pocket, and really it should all start making sense by now.
Miss Jessie continues making no sense at all. “I went and got it wrong on the application. You see, she’s a girl and not a guy like I’d gone and thought.”
Wait? Emma’s my roommate? Emma is E. Walker?
Why didn’t I see that one coming? Damn, all kinds of dammits, just … fuck!
~*~
Dark Boundaries
A Boundaries Novel
Prologue
Kristine~
As I come to, I find my world spinning. I feel a hand on my side and pain shoots through my ribs as I’m pushed. And the world starts to spin faster as my body goes round and round.
I’m hanging from something and can’t reach the floor to stop my body from swinging.
“I always wanted to take up kickboxing. You know, like Van Damme in that movie Bloodsport. It’s one of my favorites.” Ice flows through my veins at the sound of Warren’s voice.
It all comes back to me how Warren came into the hospital room, as if he was some long lost relative. I tried to call for help but he covered my mouth and whispered the words that made me leave willingly with him. “If you don’t come peacefully I will go and kill that redhead, or the blackhead, which do you prefer? Oh wait, maybe I should kill your master?”
His fist slams into my side, as if I’m a punching bag. White-hot pain sears through my already bruised body.
“Warren, stop playing with the slut and fuck her already. I have a meeting to make,” I hear Bill’s voice, but I can’t focus enough to see where he is, or how many men there are.
“I’m going to fuck you so good you’re gonna beg me to be your master,” Warren sneers. He grabs my hair and yanks my face closer to his. “You’d like that, won’t you slut?”
I don’t answer him. I know it doesn’t matter what I say. He’s going to do what he wants to me until he grows bored and kills me.
“Bend her over the table,” Bill says, sounding annoyed. “I want to have a perfect view of her ass as you break her in.”
Fear and dread ripples through me. Oh no! I can’t believe this is how my life is going to end. Just as everything started to go right, it all comes crumbling down around me again.
Warren unhooks me and lets me fall to the hard ground. I watch him pull his foot back and then he sinks it into my stomach. I let out a silent scream as I gasp for air.
I’m still recovering from the kick when he grabs my bound hands and starts to drag me somewhere. I don’t know where we are. As he yanks me forward, Bill comes into view. He’s sitting on a chair watching this all go down with that smug look on his face. The building is otherwise empty, and it makes Warren’s footsteps echo against the walls.
“You know, I thought it was funny that Garrett and that other douche just disappeared after the auction. Hey, Pop…” Warren stops to have a conversation with his dad. I try frantically to twist my body around so I can get to my feet. All my trouble earns me another kick to my side. He glares at me before looking to his dad, his face showing how eager he is to please the man. He goes on talking as if I didn’t just interrupt him. “That really pissed you off. But see, I did Pop proud. I told you I’d find them. I got the slut and soon we’ll have Garrett pay for what’s left of her. I wonder if he’ll think she’s worth anything when we’re done with her.” They’re discussing me as if I’m nothing. I’m nothing but merchandise again.
“What better way to catch a big fish than to use the little worm. If I’d know how much money that man had I would’ve milked him sooner. That fucker and his brother played me for a fool and no one makes a fool of Bill Hardy.” Bill’s voice is grim, sending shivers of fear skating over my skin.
The skin on my lower back burns as Warren yanks me across the dirty floor. My eyes dart around, looking for a weapon. I’m not going down without a fight. Warren suddenly jerks me up, jarring my shoulders, and throws me over a flat steel surface. My hips slam into the sharp side, the impact hurting me even more and making my legs quiver. Tears burn in my eyes but I swallow them down. I don’t want to give these sadistic fucks the pleasure of seeing me cry.
“I’m gonna gut you, like those whores were gutted.” I don’t know which ones he’s talking about. “Like ole’ Jack did in London.” He grabs hold of my hair and wrenches my head back, lifting my torso from the slab. He reaches around me, pressing his chest and hard on against my back and butt. A wave of repulsion makes me feel sick. “I’m gonna slice you from here,” he pokes at my left breast and then starts to draw a line across my stomach to my right hip, “to here and then I’m gonna watch your guts fall on the floor.”
I close my eyes and a wave of nausea hits. I always knew Warren was the worst of the lot. Garrett protected me and I threw it all back in his face. I hope I get to tell him how sorry I am. I hope I make it through this.
~*~
Chapter One
Kristine~
Eight years ago …
We’re all lying in my backyard staring up at the stars. It’s one of our favorite things to do.
“One more year,” Riza murmurs. “Just one more and we’re off to college! I can’t wait to start my own life. I’m tired of not being able to do what I want. I can’t wait for all the parties!”
“Come on, Riza. It’s not like we haven’t been going to parties,” I laugh. She’s the wild one in the group, always game for anything. She was the first to lose her virginity, the first to drink alcohol, the first to dye her hair and so much more. Kelly was second … and then me. We do everything together. The three of us have been the closest of friends since first grade.
“Yeah, but college parties are different. For one, we can drink. Second,” she leans up on her elbows, throwing her long chocolate brown hair back, “there are men! No little boys that are pretending to be men. I want a real man,” she sighs dreamily.
“I’m happy with my book boyfriends,” I say, more to myself than to the girls. I have a slight obsession with all things books.
“Book boyfriends can’t spank your ass,” Kelly pipes up.
“Kelly!” I hiss and glance over my shoulder to make sure my parents didn’t hear that. Luckily they are nowhere in sight.
“Aww … like you don’t fantasize about a tall, dark stranger ripping your clothes from your body and sweeping you off to a far-away place so he can ravish you,” Riza teases.
“Reading it and doing it is two different things and you both know that,” I snub them, feeling slightly embarrassed about the topic we’re discussing.
“Oh Fabio!” Kelly starts panting, gyrating her hips up and down. “Take me harder, Fabio! Make me yours!” She bursts out in a fit of laughter, holding her stomach.
“So not funny,” I scowl, trying hard to hide my smile, “and Fabio? Seriously? Think of a better name next time.”
Riza joins in the laughter and then she rolls over and straddles Kelly. “Give it to me, baby,” she tries to sound throaty in between her fits of giggles. “Yeah, Shawn, just like that.”
I slap her on the shoulder. “Noooo! That’s so wrong.”
Shawn is a nerd in our Science class. Not that I have anything against nerds, but the guy must at least be bigger than me, and Shawn is as scrawny as they come.
Riza and Kelly crack up in another fit of laughter. I can’t help but join them as Riza keeps thrusting her hips against Kelly’s stomach. They look so stupid.
Then Kelly’s face goes all serious. “Have the two of you ever wondered what it would be like to kiss a girl?”
Riza freezes on top of Kelly and tilts her head sideways. She’s actually thinking about it!
“Eww.” I pull a face but then my jaw drops as Riza leans down on top of Kelly. She takes hold of Kelly’s face and plants a hard kiss against her slightly parted lips.
I feel my eyes bulge and a strangled gasp escapes my suddenly dry throat. Kelly in turn pushes her fingers through Riza’s hair and tilts her face slightly. What started as a joke quickly turns into something else. I see tongue and teeth, and … freaking hell, they’re really kissing!
Riza pulls away first and then grins at me.
“Oh, hell no! I’m not kissing either of you,” I whisper, scared my parents will hear.
“Aww … come on, Kristine. Be a sport. It’s just one kiss. What better way to find out if you bat for the other team.”
“I’m not lesbian. I don’t need to kiss a girl to make sure. I like kissing boys and-” Riza jumps me, pushing me to the ground, while Kelly goes for my arms. I start to giggle and try to flip Riza off me. I’m no match for the two of them. Also, I’m the smallest of us three, so they can easily overpower me without even putting much effort into it.
Riza’s face comes closer to mine and a fresh fit of giggles erupts from me. “Nooo! Get off!” I stick out my tongue as she moves closer until I can feel her breath on my face.
“You want me, babe,” Riza laughs and then her lips are on mine. I keep laughing into her mouth until she gives up and gets off me.
I sit up and turn to Kelly. She’s the tomboy of us three, more Goth than anything else, with her pierced brow and lip. Her hair is midnight black. “Your turn!” I launch my whole body at her and press my lips to hers, still laughing. When I feel her tongue brush against my lips I yank back.
“I think I might be lesbian, let’s have a threesome to make sure,” Kelly blurts out.
I blink at her, not sure she really means it.
“Yeah right, like you’ll give up on men to become a carpet muncher,” Riza teases.
“I’m serious,” Kelly’s smile vanishes and she swallows hard. “I might be … damn, I’m not sure. I’m so confused.” She frowns, looking sad. “Please don’t tell anyone.”
The secrets we tell each other this night brings us only closer … closer than sisters.
~*~
Present day…
“Wear the white one,” Kelly says, without looking up from her phone. “You know ... the one that pushes up your boobs.” She’s been glued to that phone ever since she met this guy on Facebook. I don’t even want to know what they’re texting each other. It’s eight years later and she still hasn’t made up her mind if she’s straight or not.
“Ugh … really? You don’t think I should go with the pink one, or maybe the Guns N' Roses one I had on?” I hold up the pink shirt, but Kelly’s eyes are still glued to her phone.
“Nop
e, the white one. You actually have some cleavage then,” she insists.
“You’re not even looking at the one I’m holding up,” I throw a mini tantrum, stomping my feet for effect.
“Don’t need to,” she sings, “I know what looks good on you and boobs look good on you.”
“You’re just obsessed with boobs,” I mutter. I throw the shirts on the bed and stare at them, trying to decide which one will look best.
“Yeah, and that’s why you need to move your ass. I want to go drool over all the hot bodies.” Finally, she glances up at me. She quirks a pierced eyebrow. “Will you just get dressed already? We’re gonna be late for the show.”
Riza’s decided that we’re going to the Red Lounge. It’s an upmarket club where they do some kind of erotic shows and dancing. You know, the kind where there’s stripping and more. People acting out scenes others only dream of doing. What makes this club different is that there are both women and men dancers. I don’t know where she came across the club.
I’m a bit nervous, having never gone to a club like that, but the three of us have a list of things we’ve put together to do this year. We’re taking a sabbatical year before we all start working. One year of total freedom and letting our hair down. We deserve it! We all worked our butts off to graduate from college.
Second thing we’re crossing off on our to-do-list is going to a strip club. The first thing was the road trip we started a week ago. We’re currently in Vegas, it’s Riza’s choice of dream destination. It’s the perfect place to find a strip club, too.
It’s our last night in Vegas and we’re going to make the most of it before we make our way to New Orleans, which is one of the places Kelly wants to go to. The stop after that is Vancouver. Yeah baby, I want to see the city where most of Fifty Shades of Grey was filmed. It’s my favorite book and movie. Gosh, to walk where Christian and Ana walked.
The girls don’t know my reason for choosing Vancouver, they’ll rip me apart with their never-ending teasing.
Saved By Her Page 17
