9781618858368ForbiddenDeceptionlLeveyNC

by Mahalia Levey

  “There’s a rule against delivery personnel walking the halls. We have to keep everyone safe. Why don’t you all put your papers away and enjoy your snack. The bell will be ringing in a few minutes.”

  Ailyn closed her book and gathered her things, as her students cleaned up their desks and chatted amongst themselves quietly. When the bell rang they scampered out. Her feet ached as she walked to her car, hurrying to avoid her admirer, Martin James, before he launched into an interrogation over her delivered gifts. By the skin of her teeth, she missed him as she tucked herself into the safety of her car, and exhaled a breath. Lord, the man didn’t take no for an answer. If he didn’t stop, she’d let Seth deal with him.

  All the way home, Ailyn inhaled the scent of the red rose at every stop sign or red light. The fact that Seth thought to win his way into her good graces tickled her pink. Yes, he totally deserved to see her new set of thigh highs she’d purchased with him in mind. Never before had she put too much thought into her undergarments, choosing her purchases on what made her feel sexy, not who made her feel sexy.

  Cordero’s sports car sat next to another truck hogging all the space in her driveway. She idled to a rolling stop along the curb and parked. The front door opened as she stepped out of her car. She saw Chandler coming her way and waved.

  “Hey. How are you doing? I thought you were back on duty.” He met her halfway in the middle of the sidewalk.

  “I am. I left early today for a check-up and to bring by the equipment the Lt. asked for. Let me take your things. I’ll come back for the rest of what I need in a sec.” Before she could object, Chandler plucked her vase from her grip and the laptop case from her shoulder.

  “Come on, Teach, or do I need to carry you too?” Chandler’s dangerous chuckle sent her sprinting to keep up with his long strides. She sighed and stepped into her house behind him trying to cool her flushed face. What the hell, did every male on Seth’s team have such a disarming effect on all women?

  Chandler even carried her things to her desk and set them down. “Where do you want your rose?”

  “Here’s fine.” She slipped off her heels and leaned against the desk edge. “So, what are you installing?” Curiosity ate at her since Seth hadn’t run anything by her. She knew he planned on doing some things around the house, and wanted him to feel comfortable making changes.

  “Security system. I installed one for Dire last week and Seth advised me you don’t have one in place. He didn’t say anything?”

  “No, he’s been pretty unapproachable all week. Ever since the wreck he’s been hard to be around. There’s this wall up that I can’t penetrate. We’ve hardly talked, mostly slept.” She didn’t mention all the shared sex that left her feeling empty afterward like he was distracted and just going through the paces. Yeah she got off, so did he but it wasn’t mind obliterating. She guessed the rose was an apology on his part.

  “Don’t worry, Teach. The job can get to us. We’ve all done this for a long time but senseless death really digs deep. Everyone processes events differently. Having you and Eva in the truck with him off duty threw him.” He laid his hand on her shoulder. “No one expects to have their family right there seeing them have to dash off to help. Seth internalizes. The main reason he’s a great leader is his ability to keep calm and collected in any situation. Quin’s orders were to keep you and Eva blinded from the graphic carnage of that wreck.”

  “He could’ve told me. Let me be there for him. Should I expect to be shut out every time he has a bad day at work?”

  “All I can say is this will be a hard adjustment period for you, especially if you’re used to conversing on your time and not his. Not every shift is harsh.” He hugged her in brotherly affection.

  “I guess that has the possibility of being an every shift type of hazard.”

  Chandler rubbed the back of his head and leaned against her bookshelves.

  “We really keep work at work and home at home. Just give him space on bad days so he can process. He won’t talk, none of us do. Don’t take it personal, okay? It’s nothing about you, or anything you’ve done wrong, it’s all psychological on our side. Remember he loves you and is excited to have you and Eva back in his life, even if he’s acting like a douche.”

  “I don’t like feeling like I’m walking on egg shells ready for an explosion. Why did he move in here with us if he’s going to be emotionally unavailable?”

  “I know being with a fireman is new for you. There’s a reason why having relationships with us can be hard. He’s lucky he has you for a second time and all he talks about is what a joy Eva is and how finding you again is his own piece of heaven. Just breathe and be a little more patient.”

  “Eva knows something is off with him. How is she not to take it personal, like he regrets being here?”

  “Seth will sit her down and talk to her. Just tell her the truth, sometimes work makes him sad and he needs time to think. He’s always looking for something new to teach in his lectures, ways to drive points home that will saves lives. He knows if he needs to get his head on right he hasn’t lost his personal space at our place. Tell him if it’s too hard on Eva or you to take a time out at home with us.”

  “I’d worry about him even more. I’ll talk to Eva later. She hasn’t spoken much about it but I know she’s worried. I wish he’d talk but I won’t push him to relive what he saw, that might make him go over the edge and distance himself more. Plus he did send me a rose and chocolate covered fruit.”

  “You’re holding out woman? Where are the goods?”

  “I shared with my brilliant students. All gone.” She stood. “I’m going to go and change clothes. Eva will be home soon. Do you need help putting the equipment in?”

  “Sounds good. Not at all. Dire, Ryker and your man will be here soon to help me.” He winked and strode toward the front door. Ailyn watched him depart and dragged her tired ass upstairs to change. Chandler gave her some words of wisdom to ruminate on until her eyes closed.

  “Hey, sleeping beauty.”

  Warm lips on hers woke her. Ailyn yawned twisted to see the clock. “How long have you been home?” Seth sat on the edge of the bed, and ran his hand up her back as she fought to wipe the fog from her mind.

  “About an hour. Eva’s singing karaoke downstairs. We ordered some pizza. How you doing?”

  “Good. I can’t believe I passed out like that.” She turned to her side and yawned.

  “You looked too peaceful to wake up when I came in.”

  “Are we good? You had me scared for us.” She slipped her hand in his and laced their fingers, wanting a physical connection. Her talk with Chandler put her at ease but not enough, she needed to hear they were okay from his lips.

  “Yeah. We’re good. I’m sorry I put you and Eva through the aftermath. Chandler handed me my ass for being a dick. I had a talk with Eva over pizza and soda. She’s okay. I made sure she knew that I was just sad this week, nothing was about her or us. Forgive me?” He reached down to kiss her and she let him.

  “Umhm. This time. Next time just say something to avoid the confusion and everyone thinking they’ve done something wrong.”

  “I will, this is a huge adjustment for me too, darlin’. I’ve never lived with a woman before, let alone two. I love waking up to you and kissing you good morning and good night and Eva. There are things I didn’t plan on or figure out until I moved in.”

  “Change is good.” She kissed his fingertips. “So what is this with a security system?”

  “Safety. This neighborhood is good but you don’t have an alarm system. I’m not going to be home every night and wanted a link to the police and fire department if something bad happens, be it a fire or break-in. Plus, having the stake out in the yard with the company emblem will deter some criminals from taking a risk at burglarizing. Chandler and Ryker are almost done already. You feel like getting out tonight?”

  “I’d love to get out for a bit. Who’s going to watch Eva though, Ashland is grounde
d still.”

  “Dire and Mia want to come too. Ash can sit now, they took her off punishment today.”

  “Hmm. How convenient. By the way, do you guys talk to each other about everything?” Ailyn couldn’t wait to see her sister psychoanalyze the group. Being as close as they were, she wondered what Rianna would have to say about their interesting dynamic.

  “We are a tight-knit unit, on and off shift. What we see, what we do, how we depend on each other to have our backs, yeah, we’re like one big ole communal family.”

  “Of course, next you’ll say you even share women.” Seth winked, making laughter bubble from her lips, but she frowned when he didn’t join in. “Don’t tell me you shared.”

  “Darlin’, let’s just say it’s been known to happen. We get the girls that want the label of being with a firefighter. S’all good when we’re not looking for anything serious, but those lays get boring pretty fast. Well, maybe not for Ryker and a few of the younger teammates. Quin and Rees are another story but that’s theirs to share.” He silenced her with a heady kiss, stealing her breath, then nipped her ear and whispered, “I wasn’t a saint and I don’t kiss and tell, never have. Can’t wait to see you naked tonight though.” He stole under the hem of her skirt, grazed her silk stockings inching his way up, and grabbed a handful of her ass.

  “Psshhht. Fat chance of that.” Ailyn rolled off the bed to find something to wear. She stepped out of her work clothes and into a pair of sweats and a T-shirt. “I’ll call Rianna and see if she wants to hang too.”

  * * * *

  “Man there is a wait for tables.” Ryker came back the bearer of bad news. Ailyn noticed how his gaze brightened suddenly. She leaned forward to see around Seth to find his new interest and found Mia and another woman heading their way.

  The waitress brought over a round of shots over to them. “You are looking fine this evening.” She winked at Chandler, setting a special long stem shot glass in front of Ailyn. “Thought we’d try something other than Snake Bites, this go around there, killa’. Here’s your first Blow Job shot on the house.” She produced a bottle of whipped cream from nowhere and topped off the slim shot glass.

  “Thanks. Between us,” Ailyn leaned toward her, “I am never ordering Snake Bites again.” After cracking her jaw, she placed her hands behind her back and clasped them. Winking at Seth, she encased the glass in her mouth and tipped her head backward, sucking the contents in one long pull.

  Seth’s aroused gaze lit her on fire as she pulled the clean glass from her mouth and set it on the table. Teasing him meant a ton of fun, since he wasn’t getting any later. She figured why not torture him with a few more of the decadent treats. “Mmm, best blow job ever.”

  The guys openly gaped at her.

  Seth snorted. “Darlin’ that is my line. Damn wrong of you to ruin a perfectly good line.” He chuckled and drank his shot. “Waitress, bring her two more. I want to watch this shit over and over again. Ryker, go grab some quarters, I see a table being vacated.”

  “Damn, Teach. That is sexy. I’ll buy you a shot too,” Quinlan joked.

  “We need to dress her in Saran Wrap and let her do that shit.” Seth growled at Rees. “Go get the beer, asshole. No one sees her in that getup again but me. Don’t make me tell Sinclaire.”

  Nine Inch Nails blared through the speakers about violating, desecrating and penetrating as she sucked the next shot down. The sweet drink tasted divine. She tongued the remaining cream just inside the rim and mouthed the next in line to Seth. He sloshed his beer all over his hand and reached down to adjust himself. If looks could kill she’d be dead. Seth copped a feel as he grabbed a fresh one, and left to go stand with the men. Her tongue lolled out of her mouth as she watched his swagger.

  “Damn, girl. Save a few of those for us.” Mia spoke above the balls banking or colliding on the tables and the loud good-natured ribbing by the other patrons. “You’ve met Sinclaire, my best friend, a total groupie for this group of firemen.”

  “You sure know how to introduce a girl. Let me correct her. I’m a total slut for a good looking man. Occupation, so long as they have one it doesn’t matter. A girl has to get her kicks where she may.” She winked at Rees and Quinlan.

  “Holy shit. Both of them?” Their relationship dawned on her. She was who the men had in the house. They really did sound proof the place, she hadn’t heard a thing.

  Sinclaire shrugged. “Depends on if they behave. God, I love this song.” She leaned over, giving Ailyn a direct view of great cleavage. “They fuck like animals. Don’t judge. Good sex is good sex and they’re pretty great guys, it’s a win-win scenario, two cocks for me and a day to recover from their complete attention. Their one on one action is sexy too. Plus, I love them both.”

  “Oh, quit bragging, Sinclaire. No one cares about your little threesome you’ve got going on with them boys.”

  “Like you didn’t brag about Dire, Mia?” Sinclaire chuckled and flagged down the waitress for a round of shots.

  “Ailyn, is your sister, Rianna, or your brother joining us tonight?”

  “Cordero is on a date with someone. He didn’t dish with who, but no he won’t be joining and I couldn’t get a hold of my sister. She’s probably on her way here though.”

  “Are you playing?”

  Ailyn laughed. “No, Sinclaire. I don’t play pool or any sport for that manner. I plan on watching my man, because he is about to win every bet those knuckleheads placed against him. They don’t know he strategizes how to take their money every pool night.”

  “Hey,” Seth called over the music and balls breaking the start of a new game. “Quit telling trade secrets.” He pointed a cue at her.

  Ailyn shrugged. “Eh, I didn’t really tell anything.” She grinned as her sister came sailing in wearing skinny jeans, an urban top with cute slashes showing off serious skin and bangles adorning her arms. Her neon orange wedges topped the charts. Apart all the pieces would look horrendous. Put together on her sister, she looked damn good and knew it.

  “Big sis.” Ailyn patted the seat next to her. “You know Mia, meet Sinclaire. She has a wild make a dirty sex video relationship with Rees and Quin.”

  “Nice to meet you. And the video was like on date two.” Sinclaire cast a glance over at the pool table and licked her lips.

  “Did I tell you my sister is a psychologist?”

  “Crap. Forget the two sexies over there and everything I just gabbed about.”

  Rianna laughed. “One, it’s after hours and you are not in a crisis. There’s nothing wrong with a healthy sex life. I’ve tried a double dose of cock before, it can be invigorating, and a great way to end a night or begin the next day.”

  “Oh, ew, let me throw up. Mia doesn’t this make your stomach roll? Best friends and sisters are almost the same TMI wise,” Ailyn said while trying to clear the erotic images from her mind.

  Mia grabbed a long neck from the men’s bucket of beer and twisted the top off with her shirt. “Nah. Too much TMI is your best friend explaining to your masseuse how to vajazzle your vagina. Yeah, she bought me a deluxe treatment after my accident to get my goods back in the game of sex.”

  “What is that exactly?”

  “A Brazilian wax job and some of those cute sticky gems put in a design on your bare mons. I get it done every now and then to surprise him. But yeah, the first time was a bit embarrassing.”

  “Girlfriend, if you haven’t had the pleasure of being vajazzled down there you should totally go have our girl do you. She rocks at designs. Think tattoo artist but without permanent ink and eventually the stickies wash off.”

  “I need a drink.” Ailyn graciously accepted the bottle Mia handed her,

  “No Snake Bites tonight, right? Please tell me you’ve learned the never again in this lifetime lesson with whiskey in any form or combination.”

  “Of course. I don’t want to hurl my ass off for hours again. Once was enough.” She twisted off the cap and turned to see Seth cleaning house on
the table. “He should totally let them think they’re winning.”

  “Guy code, he can’t do that.”

  “So, the gluttons for punishment enjoy gambling with their money on uneven odds?” A neon sign pulsated in a myriad of colors above his head, as he bent low to avoid crashing into the edge as he studied the angles. Gotta love a tall sexy man. Seth looked mighty fine, strong arms out showcasing his broad shoulders, the steely glint in his eye as he picked out which pocket to strike with ruthless precision.

  “He buys the drinks with his winnings, orders wings and stuff.” Sinclaire’s reply made sense and her stomach rumbled at thoughts of food. She hadn’t stopped to grab a slice of pizza before they headed out. Instead she obsessed over what to wear and took an extra-long shower. Ailyn flagged the waitress in their section down.

  “Can we get an order of hot wings, artichoke and spinach dip with chips and a Coke?”

  “Sure. I’ll put the order in. Anything else?”

  “Nothing for me, I think I’m going to go greet my men. Gotta apply my put your dick in my mouth lip-gloss.” Sinclaire withdrew a tube of shimmering gloss and touched up. She winked, slipped her purse over her lower arm and sauntered over to the table.

  “She’s sure as hell not shy about who she is.” Ailyn laughed as she watched both men greet her new friend, sandwiching her between them, each laying a deep passionate kiss on her lips, then slinking a protective arm around her waist, engaging her in their conversation. To Ailyn the posturing looked completely normal to all parties. Their dynamic intrigued her, as she’d never seen or known anyone to be in a threesome before, a one night stand or in a long term relationship.

  “They’ve been an exclusive threesome for over a year. One of her first rules was no hiding what they were. I think it’s great if a bit unconventional. It’s hard to explain to your sixteen year old why her BFA— Oh, best friend auntie—has two boyfriends at the same time.”

  “How do people react to them?” As soon as she posed the question she received an answer, noticing a table of older women openly shaking their head in disapproval. Rees cinched his arm tighter around Sinclaire while Quinlan dropped a quick kiss on top of her head. The fools were crazy in love over their heads for the woman and weren’t ashamed to show it. Seeing them interact made Ailyn feel better about her past with Seth. If Sincliare could wield a careless fuck off attitude, she could too.