TAILSPIN

by Jaimie Roberts

  “It frightened me, but you weren’t to know. I never told you or Charlie the full details.”

  “So she was a drug addict?”

  He nods, gritting his teeth. “An abusive drug addict. She used to hit me, and I would take it. If I needed new clothes, she would hit me. If I needed new shoes, she would hit me. If I needed to buy food, she would hit me. Every single penny went into feeding her addiction. It got so bad, my brother and I used to beg on Oxford Street just so we could buy a burger from McDonald’s.”

  Closing my eyes, I shake my head. “What happened to Pete? Why did he go the same way she did?”

  “Pete adored our mother. In his eyes, she could never do any wrong. In an attempt to please her, he decided to join her one evening when she was high. He was only fifteen. She thought it was hilarious to get her fifteen-year-old son high. It was all just a game to her, but she got him hooked. One day turned into two, then three. Before I even realised it, he was just as hooked on the shit as she was.”

  I look away. “I’m so sorry, Devon.”

  “I didn’t want you to know. Yes, I was mad that you had found my drugs, and yes, I lashed out like I normally fucking do, but all that shit I said in the car… You’ve got to know I never meant any of it. I was just doing what I do best—pushing you away.”

  “Do you still see your brother?”

  He sighs. “Occasionally. Usually about once a month when he needs money.”

  “You don’t give him any, do you?”

  “Andi, he’s my brother. What else am I supposed to do? If he needs help, I can’t turn him away. It’s not his fault he had a shitty mother.”

  “It wasn’t yours, either.” He looks over at me, offering a gentle smile. “What made you decide to join the RAF?”

  “Mostly because I wanted to get away from all the shit, but I honestly wanted to join. Because I passed all my exams with flying colours, I started my thirty-week training straight away, then went on to specialist training. Within that time, I knew this was the right thing to do.” He starts laughing. “The first time I flew, I vomited.”

  “No way!”

  He nods. “Yep. All over myself and the training officer. Fucking embarrassing. It made me feel better that I wasn’t the first one. Still embarrassing, no matter how you dress it up.”

  “But you were okay after that?”

  He nods. “Oh yeah.” He looks sad for a moment. “I was about six years in when I was on exercise in Kenya. An unknown shot me down and I had to crash-land the plane.”

  I gasp. “Were you okay?”

  He smiles. “I was fine. Well, physically anyway. I started having night terrors after that. I don’t know if it was the stress that triggered it or what, but they got so bad, I had to see a doctor.”

  “Did the RAF know about it?”

  He shakes his head. “I went to a private doctor. I didn’t want them finding out because they may have struck me off.”

  It then dawns on me. “You were taking tablets while flying?”

  He shook his head. “Only at night. I would never harm a mission or exercise. But you’re right. Taking them became a massive issue in the end. I couldn’t live with myself if anyone died because of me. Plus, they took regular drug tests. I had managed to dodge a couple, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to hold out much longer.”

  “So you resigned.”

  He nods. “Yep. Luckily for me, I got a break. My grandfather from my father’s side found me. My father died before I was born, so my grandfather didn’t know about me until after my mum died. He had been looking for me for a couple years before I met him. I told him about my career in the RAF, but that I was looking for something else. That’s when he told me of Worldwide Airways.”

  Grabbing my drink, I take a sip. “He asked you to come on board.”

  “Yes, but he left out the part he was dying and needed an heir to take over.”

  I look away. “Oh.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Were you pissed off when he told you?”

  He shakes his head. “No. I can’t really be pissed off with a man who offered me a way out.” He motions with his hands. “Look at what I’ve achieved since. When I started, the company hadn’t gotten off the ground yet. Within two months, I had doubled our clientele. Because of it, we needed to build more aircraft and hire more engineers.”

  I smile. “He must have been so proud of you.”

  He shrugs. “I did what I had to do. I always find I’m eager for a challenge.”

  “Is that so?” I ask, a little more seductively then I probably should have.

  Devon smirks in my direction. I watch as he trails his eyes down the length of my body before meeting my eyes again. It makes my skin prickle. “Yes, Andi. In fact, I have one right now.”

  Raising one eyebrow, I say, “Oh yes? And what might that be?”

  “There’s this lady …”

  “What is she like?”

  He looks at my cleavage for a moment. “She’s the brightest, most beautiful girl I’ve ever met. She has the most amazing eyes and legs that go on forever. I could lick them all day long. And her tits are so—”

  “Okay, juvenile. You were doing so well until you said the word tits.” We both laugh, but then he stops.

  “I want her to forgive me, but I don’t know if she will. I keep fucking things up between us, and I don’t know how to fix it.”

  Glancing at him, I see a man built like a lion. Tall, strong, and athletic, he has everything a girl could desire, yet I sense a vulnerability in him. I also sense something hidden deep beneath that shell of his. Something dark and untouched. Something I’m unsure whether I would want to delve more into. I know he’s suffered and is still suffering. The question is: Can I be the one to lay half of it on my shoulders?

  Already knowing the answer, I put my glass down, get up, and walk toward his sun lounger. I lean forward, straddling him, placing one foot on one side and one on the other. Devon smiles, leisurely trailing his hands up my thighs as I come to rest in his lap.

  Heat instantly fills me. I place my arms around his neck. “What you did to get that photo back for me… Thank you. That’s worth more than any gift in the world.”

  While he searches my eyes, I watch as the lights dance in his. They’re hooded, telling me he’s just as turned on as I am. Instantly, I feel something hard press on my core, making me want him even more.

  “I didn’t want to rest until I found it for you.”

  Leaning forward, my breath ragged, I whisper, “And that’s why I forgive you. In fact, I think I need to show you just how much I’ve forgiven you.”

  His eyebrow quirks, and his cock is pulsating beneath me. “How do you intend to do that?”

  I lean my forehead on his, moving my hand down to his cock. “I’ll show you,” I answer, then press my lips to his. As I caress him through his jeans, I feel him moan. He makes a grab for me, but I stop him. “We’re not going anywhere.”

  “You want to fuck me again, huh?”

  I start unbuckling his belt and undoing his jeans. “Remember what I said? You give the orders in the boardroom. I give the orders in the bedroom.” Placing my hand inside, I start massaging him through his boxer shorts.

  “Fuck, Andi. I need to feel you.”

  He grabs for my head, and I let him. We’re a frenzy of warm, wet kisses and hands. I pull Devon’s jeans down. I don’t even bother taking my knickers off. With one hand, I push them aside before sliding onto Devon’s cock.

  “Fuck!” he breathes out, capturing my lips again.

  With my knees on either side of him, I start rocking back and forth on his cock as we carry on our breathless kisses. The feeling of him inside me is incredible.

  “So fucking tight. So fucking warm and sweet. I can’t get enough of you, Andi. You’re right where you’re supposed to be.”

  Feeling pleasure hit new heights, I cry out. I become frenzied in my movements, seemingly unable to control myself. It’s like I can�
��t get enough of him.

  “Devon!” I scream, moving faster, feeling my clit rub against him. “Shit, I’m going to come!” I feel it rising higher and higher.

  “Make it quick, baby, because I’m right there with you.”

  A few seconds later, we explosively come together. Soon after, I collapse on him, exhausted. Devon places his arms around me and starts stroking my arms as I close my eyes.

  I have no idea where we’re heading, but I know one thing is definitely certain.

  I would kick myself if I didn’t at least try and find out.

  “Wine?”

  I smile up at Devon, feeling blissfully happy. It’s been four days since he came around, and I’ve hardly been back to my apartment since. Well, only to get clothes and toiletries and to have a quick chat with Ritchie. That’s been about it. Speaking of that, he’s back with Monique. Apparently, the dancer guy turned out to be a douche. She was only being nice to him because he was the son of a very influential person and told her he could take her career soaring. She believed him, but had no interest in starting a romance. Once he tried it, she told him where to stick it and came looking for Ritchie.

  I have seen my brother as much as possible since being home. In fact, Devon gave me a few days off in order to catch up on sleep and be with Charlie. The only thing he insists on is having me all to himself at night. I’m certainly not complaining.

  “Yes, please.” I watch as Devon pours me a glass. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. You look stunning tonight. So stunning, I could lick you all over.”

  I raise an eyebrow. “Really?”

  He nods. “Yes.” He looks at his fridge. “In fact,” he says, walking toward it. He opens the door and pulls out a bar of Dairy Milk. “I’d very much like to lick this off you.” I smirk, watching him walk to a cupboard and pull out a bowl. He takes the bar of chocolate out of its wrapper and breaks it up into little pieces before placing it in the microwave. He starts it before turning back to me. “Now we need to get your clothes off.”

  “So eager,” I joke, uncrossing my legs and standing.

  “You have no idea.”

  I giggle and watch as he stalks toward me. He pulls on the belt of my dress, revealing my black lace bra and panty set. “Hmm, I’m going to enjoy this.” He points to his sofa. “Lie down.”

  Happy to comply, I pull the dress off and lie down. Devon follows me, watching my every move. Once I’m comfortable, he bends down, slowly pulling my knickers down my thighs. He plants warm, wet kisses as he goes, making my body heat. I moan, threading my fingers through his hair as he makes his way back up to my chest. When the microwave pings, he doesn’t get up. Instead, he pushes his hands behind my back and unhooks my bra, slowly pulling the straps down each arm.

  “So beautiful,” he says, placing kisses on my breasts before taking one nipple into his mouth.

  “Devon,” I moan, loving every moment of it.

  Suddenly, he gets up. “I’ll be right back.”

  He leaves me in a mess on the sofa as he walks into the kitchen and takes the bowl out of the microwave, stirs it, then tests the temperature. “Perfect,” he says, walking back over and kneeling on the floor next to me. “Just like you.” He winks before stirring a little more and bringing the spoon up. I watch as chocolate spills over the spoon and back into the bowl. He carefully spins the spoon a few times and then holds it over my nipples. I watch as the chocolate falls toward my skin. Once it hits, the warmth makes my skin prickle and my nipples pucker.

  “I’m going to enjoy this,” he says, placing the bowl on the coffee table. He bends down. I feel his wet tongue slide across my nipple, and it makes me come alive.

  “Devon,” I whisper.

  He swirls his tongue, licking up all the chocolate. He doesn’t stop until all is gone, then he puts another drop on my other nipple and starts the same torture. When he’s licked me clean again, he trails a line of chocolate down my stomach to my pussy. He takes special care to put as much chocolate as he can down there. It feels icky, but erotic at the same time.

  Devon stands, inspecting his work. “Absolute perfection.”

  Bending, he starts to leisurely lick his way down. I wiggle and moan, loving the sensation it brings, but also wishing he would get on with it.

  “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” He looks up at me and I notice he has chocolate all over his nose and around his mouth. It makes me laugh. “I’m not sure this process is meant to be funny.”

  “I’m sorry,” I offer. “It’s just … you have a bit of chocolate,” I say, pointing to my nose and mouth.”

  “Don’t care,” he responds with a smirk. He looks down again and starts licking his way around my belly, then he reaches my pussy. “And to my favourite part.” He starts licking between my folds, up toward my clit. He gives a long, leisurely lick, pressing hard with his tongue.

  “Fuck!” I cry, arching my back.

  The doorbell rings, followed by knocking. We both still. Devon looks up at me. “Who’s that?” I ask.

  He shrugs. “I don’t know. I’m not expecting anyone. Just ignore it.”

  He bends down to resume licking when a knock sounds again. “Come on, Devon. I know you’re in there. Stop jerking yourself off and answer the door.”

  At the sound of my brother’s voice, we both snap our heads up. “Shit,” I whisper, eyes wide. “Shit, shit, shit.” I quickly stand.

  “Stop panicking,” Devon says. “Grab your dress and head for my bedroom. I’ll get rid of him and then come join you once he’s gone.”

  I nod in agreement, grab my dress, and run for his room. I sit and wait—my breath ragged as I try and listen to what’s happening.

  “I hope you don’t mind that the doorman let me in …” Then there’s a slight pause. “What the fuck have you been up to? Your face is dirtier than a coal miner’s.” He starts laughing, then stops. “Oh fuck. Sorry, mate. I didn’t realise you had company.”

  “That’s okay,” Devon replies.

  “I just wanted to know if you’ll come to my farewell dinner tomorrow night. It would be nice to have you there. After all, you’re like a member of the family anyway. Dad insisted on it, too.”

  “I would love to,” I hear him reply, making me smile.

  “Hold on …” My brother’s voice goes silent for a moment. “What are Andi’s bag and phone doing here?”

  Oh shit!

  “Listen, I can explain …”

  “Explain what? Where the fuck is she? Andi!” he shouts, his footsteps heading for the door.

  “Shit,” I say, pulling Devon’s cover over me to try and hide my modesty as best as I can.

  “Charlie, don’t go in there …”

  Too late. He swings the door open, staring at me. He looks down, causing me to do so as well. I notice the chocolate stains on my shoulders and chest. When I look back up, I wish I hadn’t. Charlie looks like he’s about to blow a gasket. He inhales sharply. His nostrils flare as he glares at me.

  “Charlie, listen—” I begin, but he cuts me off.

  “What the fuck are you doing here?”

  “Listen, mate …”

  Charlie turns to Devon. “Don’t fucking ‘listen, mate’ me. What the hell do you think you’re doing with my sister?” He pokes Devon in the chest, causing him to step back a little.

  I wrap the cover around me and stand up, walking up to my brother before he does something stupid. “Charlie, stop it. I’m not a little girl anymore. I can date anyone I want.”

  He snaps his head to me. “Yes, but not my best friend. Do you realise how many women he’s slept with?! How many women he’s cast aside like they meant nothing? I thought you were better than this!”

  He looks back at Devon, who holds his hands out in a placating manner. “Anyone. You could have picked anyone, but no. You had to fucking go for my sister, didn’t you? You had to touch the one thing you couldn’t have. Andi’s a good girl with a good heart. She doesn’t dese
rve someone like you.” He steps toward him.

  “Charlie, no!” I shout, but it’s too late. Charlie lands a right hook to his jaw. Devon goes down to the floor, but gets back up.

  “Come on,” Devon urges. “Get it out of your system.”

  “Devon, no!” I shout, knowing this is a really bad idea. “Charlie, if you hit him again I’m going to—”

  Punch.

  Closing my eyes, I start to panic. “Charlie, please. Stop!”

  Charlie punches Devon again, splitting his lip. Once Devon falls to the floor again, my brother grabs him by the collar. “Of all people, why my sister?” He pulls back a fist, causing me to scream. “Why?!”

  “Because I fucking love her!”

  Shocked, a gasp escapes me, and I throw my hand over my mouth. Charlie hesitates, lowering his fist.

  “What?” he asks, as if he can’t believe what he just heard. I can’t believe what I just heard, either.

  Devon looks over at me. “I love her. I’ve always loved her. Yes, she is family, but to me, she is something … more. Something whole. I can’t live my life without Andi in it. I realise that now more than I ever did. I rely on her for everything.”

  In shock, Charlie steps back. I run to Devon, kneeling beside him and inspecting his face. He looks terrible. I scowl, looking back up to Charlie.

  “How could you, Charlie? Look what you’ve done to him. Your best friend.”

  “My best friend who went after my sister.”

  “He didn’t ask for this to happen. Neither one of us did. Knowing the consequences, we tried to keep apart, but we couldn’t.”

  “He’s not a good man, Andi. He’ll get bored, move on to someone else and break your heart.”

  “No, I won’t,” Devon says, holding his head in his hands. “I would never do that to her. You have to know. Andi… She’s different. I’ve never felt for anyone as much as I do your sister. She’s become my world. I can’t give her up, even if it means losing you.”

  Charlie grits his teeth. “Fuck!” he shouts, turning. He starts pacing. “And when you two break up, then what? When you have an argument and hate each other’s guts, how am I supposed to cope with that? How am I supposed to be Switzerland when it all goes tits-up?”