“Lani, I’m half Filipino and half Italian. I’m like, more Catholic than the pope,” I state. I see a flash of satisfaction on Burke’s face. “But unlike some Christians, I’m not judgmental.” It’s my turn to look self-satisfied, and Burke’s turn to frown. “I don’t give a fuck who you’ve slept with before me, but you damn well better not sleep with anyone else while you’re with me.” I hear her snort, and cross her arms in front of her chest. “Was that what you were hoping for, Burke?”
“Are you feeling a little jealous, Killian? Are things with Ariel not working out the way you thought they would?” Lani doesn’t seem to back down from any challenge, and I love that about her, but she has absolutely no filter. It’s refreshing, and a bit shocking.
But Killian doesn’t seem to be shocked by it. I wonder if, eventually, I’ll get to the point where Lani’s tendency to say whatever’s on her mind doesn’t surprise me either.
“I just wanted to clear the air.” He seems contrite enough, and maybe a little bit sad. “I’m not the only former altar boy in the room. And no, things aren’t working out with me and Ariel. She says we don’t spend enough quality time together. But thanks for asking.” I feel a little sorry for him now. And Lani looks a little mortified by her own outburst as well. “Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow, at eight?” She nods, but still looks like a child pouting because she didn’t get a cookie before dinner. He calls out before he walks out the door, “See ya, Roman.”
“Thanks, Burke,” I say, right before he closes the door. Then I fall onto the couch with her, and place her feet in my lap. I slip off her sensible shoes, and begin to play with her toes. I notice her toenails are hot pink. “I’m not going to judge you, Lani, I promise. I’m not Burke. Do you believe me?” She shrugs, but she still doesn’t look at me. “I’m not perfect, Lani, no one is. I’m divorced, I curse, I drink, and I used to smoke.” She’s still, upset, and I have to wonder if she’s upset about her comment to Killian. “And, I use birth control.”
That finally gets her attention. “So, being with you, I can justify having half a dozen kids, because you can’t use condoms?”
“Well, whenever you’re ready to get pregnant, Lani. This is all up to you. I’m not going to pressure you at all. We’re going to go at your pace.” She tries to hide a smile. She likes it that she’s in control. “But we’re having a Catholic wedding, if they’ll let me.” She frowns at that. “And why haven’t you given me an engagement ring yet? You asked me to marry you.”
She’s contemplating whether I’m serious or not. “Whatever,” she exclaims, as she rolls her eyes. “I’m gonna go change, and we’ll go down to the gym.”
Chapter Six
Lani
“So, Doctor Dad wants to divorce my mom,” I explain, while we’re side by side on the treadmills. He’s going at a slower pace than me. I’m glad, because I don’t want him to push himself and fall.
“Your ass looks perfect in those bike shorts, baby,” he replies.
“I say my parents are going to divorce, and all you can think about is my ass!” There’s no one else in the room, so I yell a little too loudly. I’m volatile, he already knows that. I’m not going to apologize for it.
So, he just smiles at me. “Well, it does.” He slows the pace on the treadmill. “I’m sorry about your mom and step-dad. Maybe he’ll change his mind.”
“He wants her to move in with me, so I can take care of her,” I continue.
“Wow, what are you gonna do about that?” He slows to a walk, and turns off the machine before walking over to the free weights.
“Whoa, I don’t think you’re ready for those,” I call out, and quickly join him.
He picks up a huge weight with his right arm, and states, “This feels good.”
He’s built like a tank, and I know he’s strong, but seeing it with my own eyes is somewhat shocking. He curls it, holds it out in front of him, then straight out to his side, as if it weighs nothing. As I watch, he begins doing squats, and lunges. I’ve worked out with men half my life. He makes other men look like children. His huge muscles ripple, and make my heart beat faster. I want to climb him like a tree, mount him, and work until I wear him out. I realize it would probably never happen, because he’s in such amazing shape. But I’d love to try.
“You were talking about your parents,” he reminds me, as he stands in front of the mirrored wall, shirtless, and begins flexing. I don’t even understand what he’s said for several moments. “They’re getting divorced?”
“Oh, yea,” I remember. “And Doctor Dad wants my mom to move in with me. Which means I’ll be spending my nights at home.”
“Tell me about your mom. She’s the only one I haven’t met yet.” He’s frowning as he stares at his shoulder.
“Are you in pain?” I wonder aloud. He shakes his head. “My mom has always been one of those high maintenance women. But, she’s been really delicate since Addison died.”
He walks over to the water cooler, and asks, “Tell me about Addison?”
So I tell him about my parents, my sister, and basically my life. We end up back in his room, lounging on the couch, just talking and reminiscing about our childhoods. “I wasn’t traumatized about my parents’ divorce. I think they were both better without the other. Then Mom met Doctor Dad, and about a year later Addison came along. I was involved in soccer, and karate, but I didn’t really care a whole lot about my classes. I got by, though. I have a job I love, and a family I adore.”
“So why would you jeopardize your dream job by sleeping with your boss?” Tony is very serious, and I don’t know how to answer him. I feel like my life is so different now since I met him. I can’t remember why I used to get a high from knowing that I was fucking my boss, and feeling untouchable because of it.
“Honestly, I don’t know now.” I shrug my shoulders. “I can’t tell you what I felt about anything before I met you. Maybe I felt nothing, until I was thrown into that cell with you.” I’m moving toward him as I talk, and when I’m finished I’m sitting in his lap, straddling his thighs. And then I kiss him. I’m excited to taste him, and to touch him. My fingers rub his shoulders, and I feel him shiver against me. I move into his body, his chest is against mine. “I can’t remember anyone but you, honey.”
“I love you on top, baby,” he growls against my lips. “We need a condom.”
“Umhmmm…” I moan back, and just as I begin kissing him again, we hear a knock on the door. “Are you kidding me?” I hear a deep, rich chuckle escape from his lips. “This is going to be what it’s like when we have kids.”
“You promise me?” He grins at me when I move away.
“You’re Mr. Popular. I don’t have this many visitors in six months.”
“Yea, because I love being on an FBI agent’s speed dial,” he says sarcastically.
“It can’t be my dad, he’s still at work. Who have you not seen?” I’m still sitting in his lap. I just don’t want to get up. My fingers are still on his neck, which seems to be as big as a tree trunk. “Do I have to go?”
There’s another knock. “Yes, baby. One of us has to open the door.”
“Okay, I’m going.” I slide off his lap, and bounce toward the door. Maybe the guard needs the bathroom, or something. When I open the door, I’m completely shocked. My mother is standing on the other side. “Mom?”
“The guard says I can’t come in, but I need to talk to you.” She’s obviously upset. Doctor Dad has told her already. “Paul wants a divorce.”
“Mom, you look awful. Hold on a moment.” I turn toward Tony, and he shrugs. I blow him a kiss, grab my purse, then lead Mom toward the elevator.
“Mom, what are you doing here? How did you find me?” We’re in my car, and I’m driving toward my house.
“Paul told me where you were.” She’s so sad, she’s sobbing loudly. I really do feel bad for her. But I’m a little pissed at Doctor Dad. Did he really have to tell her about Tony’s hotel room?
“Did he
tell you why I was there?” I wonder aloud.
“Something about a boyfriend,” she sighs. “I don’t remember.”
“I know you’re sad about Addison. I am too. But Mom, you have to shower, and brush your teeth. You can’t let your health go.” I park in my driveway, and help my mom inside my cottage. She’s a total mess. She slides into one of the chairs at my kitchen table. I fill the bright yellow tea kettle with water, and place it on the stove. I look around my kitchen, and smile. I love my cottage, and although I don’t cook much, I think this is my favorite room. It’s decorated with bright sunflowers, which make me happy whenever I see them. I am a girl, after all.
The kettle whistles, and I fix our tea. I sit down across from my mom, and look her right in the eye. “Mom, Addison didn’t kill herself, and that’s how I met Tony.”
Today is the day for me to talk about my feelings, especially about my little sister. I really have been burying my emotions about my loss, and the main way I did it was finding out what really happened to her. After that, I immersed myself in saving Tony. But I never grieved, and I avoided talking to my mom.
So now we’re sitting in my kitchen, and we’re forced to talk. And it’s like a wall has come down between us. I tell her everything. She’s shocked, of course.
“Should you really be falling for a prisoner, Melanie?” My mom only calls me Melanie when she’s serious. And, of course, this is serious. “I mean, there’s no future with him. Do you really want to spend the rest of your life alone?”
“Yea, I know, Mom. But I never thought I’d find anyone I’d want to be with anyway, so I guess either way I’ll be alone.”
“Melanie, you’re such a beautiful girl. Why are you so lonely? Why don’t you meet a nice guy and settle down?” She’s looking at me with pity in her eyes.
“I’m independent, Mom. I take care of myself.” I see a flash of emotion in her eyes. “I didn’t mean to say you couldn’t, Mom. I know you could if you wanted to.”
“So, it’s not just your hair that’s different.” She reaches out and touches my ponytail. “Tell me about your man.”
“Mom, you wouldn’t even believe me unless you see him. He’s gorgeous, and as big as a mountain, and he was a SEAL.” I’m pretty sure I’m grinning from ear to ear. “Dad likes him.”
“Of course your father would like him. He lost his best friend in Beirut, who was a SEAL. Soon after that, he came back to the States, and that’s when I met him.” She smiles shyly, the first time I’ve seen her smile in months. “He was so handsome. You look like him.” I’ve never seen my mom talk about my dad like that. I’m stunned. “You’re not the only woman to fall for a hot soldier.”
“Mom, he really is beautiful. When you see him…” Suddenly I’m a little nervous. My mom is closer in age to Tony than I am. She’s only six years older than him. She was only twenty-three and straight out of college when she had me. She taught for a few years, before she married Doctor Dad. I never, in my wildest dreams, thought I’d be jealous of my mom, but she’s still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Her hair is naturally blonde, which she keeps highlighted to hide the grey. Her skin is porcelain and velvety soft, without a single wrinkle. Her eyes are a beautiful deep emerald.
“Mom, can I ask you a favor?” She nods. “Please don’t flirt with him.” She merely laughs. “And please, before you go to sleep in my bed, for the love of God take a shower.”
Tony
I’m waiting for her. There isn’t really much else for me to do. I order room service, I eat, and I wait to see Melanie Grace Vaden. I draw a bath, and soak in it, while waiting for her to come and wash me. And then, when I think I can’t wait any longer, I hear the door open. She peeks her head around the door frame, and smiles when she sees me stretched out in the tub.
“I’ve got something for you,” I say, when she strides toward me.
“Oh?” She stops right by the tub, and begins to remove her clothes. “What?” Her eyes grow wide and sparkle, and her cheeks become pink. Her tongue goes out, and touches her top lip. Watching her responses to my flirting is one of the best parts about being with Lani. “What have you got for me?”
“I’ve got ten inches of the rarest, juiciest meat you’ll ever put in your mouth.” I know she likes the dirty talk, and for some reason it just comes out automatically for her.
“My mouth, huh?” She pulls off her sweatpants, and stands in front of me totally naked. “Is that where you were thinking of putting it?”
I have no idea what I’m thinking as she climbs in the tub with me. My mind goes blank. Her pretty, smooth pussy is right in front of me, and I reach forward and kiss it. “No, none of that yet,” she insists. “Maybe in a day or two.”
“Baby, I don’t care. I just want to taste it.” But, as usual, I respect her wishes, and my kisses trail down her thigh. “Sit down here, baby.” My cock is poking out above the water again, and she can’t help but stare at it.
“We need a condom. And the water is cold,” she complains. She steps out, and I feel sad for a moment. But she grabs a washcloth, and returns to bathe me. She’s right, the water has cooled down a lot. But I let her wash me, then rinse me. As soon as she’s finished, I let the water out, stand, and wrap up in a towel. “I can’t spend the night, dear. My mom is at my house, and I have to be at Killian’s office in the morning.”
I feel sad, like this isn’t right. She’s supposed to be with me. Nothing is supposed to come between us, not even her mom. But I definitely don’t want to sound whiney, or insecure. “Then you’d better grab that condom and get your pretty ass into my bed.” I try not to let my disappointment bleed over into my voice.
She reaches out for me, and removes the towel. The way she looks at me makes me feel like more than a man. She makes me feel like I’m twenty again.
“Come on, honey, we don’t have all night.” She grabs my hand, and carries the towel with her.
“Are you only using me as a sex object?” I bite my lip after I say it. She’s already stressed out, with her mom staying with her and her parents’ divorce, and her job.
She turns toward me, and I’m afraid she might be pissed. But she touches my hip, and my heart stops. She pauses a moment, before saying, “I’m sorry, are you feeling unloved? Do you want to lay in bed and cuddle, and talk about our feelings for an hour?”
“Oh, God, you’ve got me there, baby.” I wrap my arm around her waist, and toss her onto the bed, before I climb on top of her. “Can we talk about our feelings after we fuck for an hour?”
“How about we talk about our feelings while we fuck? Do you have the condom?” she whispers against my lips, right before she kisses me. I love the feeling of her body against mine. I love being with her, touching her. I love her so much I ache from it, and I physically hurt when I’m not with her. How do I tell a woman like Lani that she’s everything in the world to me?
I grab one off the bedside table, even though I don’t want to. “I love you, baby. I love you so damn much, I can’t handle it.” I return her kiss, then I move over her cheek, and to her ear. My hand is busy with the condom. “Those are my feelings. Now tell me yours.” I murmur the words against her neck.
“I love you, Tony. I love your strength, and your vulnerabilities. I love your humanity, and your animalistic nature. I love all of you.” Her fingers find my nipples, and I stop breathing. “Now fuck me.”
“You’re the boss,” I groan, as I bury myself deep inside her. She cries out, a little, but I cover her mouth before she gets too loud. I especially love that.
Chapter Seven
Tony
Waking up alone really sucks. Strange how easily humans can get used to something. It’s been less than a week since I left prison, and I already expect Lani to be in bed beside me when I open my eyes. Hell, I expect her to be there when I close my eyes, too. If the Attorney General doesn’t do something soon, I’ll end up back in prison. Or the county jail, where Lani is suspended and won’t be there to wat
ch over me.
I haven’t spoken to Lauren or Max since Lucy called me. I wonder if she blocked calls to the area code, or something. I’m not sure what she’s capable of. Lani’s right, I need a family court lawyer. Mr. Worthington is great for handling my hearings and book deals, but he’s no help to me in trying to get my parental rights back. And in order to get another lawyer, I need money. I guess it’s time to get up and try to get dressed. I put on the shorts and a tank top Lani brought me, and decide that it’s time to order breakfast, sign the papers for the book deal, and call Worthington. I wish Lani was here, instead of with her ex-boyfriend.
Lani
Killian has me set up in a conference room, with boxes full of files. We didn’t discuss payment. I’m not even sure if he’s going to pay me or not. At this point, it’s the last thing I’m worried about. I have my phone sitting in front of me with my headphones connected, and I’m listening to music. The first file I go through is Addy’s. I read through the report, and find the name of the medical examiner: Walter Bromley. He sounds like a grandpa, not someone who would cover up a death match ring. I grab my tablet, and I do an internet search for his name. He’s been a doctor for thirty years. He looks harmless. I want him in prison.
I pick up a desk phone, and give Killian a call. “Hey, Killi, is Walter Bromley in custody?”
“Who is Walter Bromley?” I hold my breath for just a moment. “Ah, the medical examiner.”
“Umhmm,” I mutter.
“No, he’s not in custody yet. That’s what you’re working on. But you know who is in custody? The guard, that’s who.” I don’t like his new attitude at all, especially since it’s so much like mine. “And guess who is going to interrogate him today?”
Prisoner and Together: All of You series complete set Page 23
