Up All Night Long: From Lust to Love (Romance Anthology)

by Ali Parker

  "Oh God, Jon. You should see how hot this is. How big you are. My body just takes it and takes it and takes it."

  "Fuck, girl. Hold on. I'm going to explode. Come with me." He pressed against her shoulder, forcing her up as she locked onto his demanding gaze. "Focus on the pressure. Work your hips, squeeze your ass, bring yourself to orgasm with me. Now Kate."

  She kept her eyes locked on his, his words fueling her need to obey for the first time in her life.

  "Yes," she whispered, rolling her hips as she found the perfect spot to take herself over the edge. He reached up and squeezed her breasts hard, using them to pull her back down on his shaft. She let herself go to the possibility of them being one and leaned forward a little, slamming herself down on him until nothing mattered.

  He closed his eyes as she watched him, his body tensing as he lifted her off the bed and continued to use her to work his large cock. She collapsed on top of him, both of them covered in sweat and panting. Never in all her life had sex been so good, so sensual, so right.

  "So perfect, baby," he whispered, holding her tightly to him.

  "You need to go?" She slid off of him, moving to lay beside him. He turned and tucked her against him, his fingers brushing along her side as he leaned down and kissed her hair.

  "No. I'll text them later that I'm sick. Just close your eyes and rest. I'm gonna want more of you in a few hours."

  "I want more now." She looked up at him, the wicked smile on her mouth feeling right, better. He had left her feeling needy and unlike herself. Had she known how much she would desire more of him after having him she might have reconsidered the night.

  "Get back up here you nymph." He chuckled and brushed her hair back, lifting her with his other hand to slide his arm under her. He wrapped her up tightly in his hold and kissed her lips as she tilted her face up to him.

  "Did we just meet yesterday?"

  He laughed. "Yeah, but I saw your picture last Saturday when I was put on the case. I'm pretty sure somewhere I decided that if you were innocent I'd have to make you mine."

  "And if I was guilty?"

  "Then I'd keep your picture and masturbate in sadness for the rest of my life at who you could have been."

  She swatted at his chest and laughed, the emotions he caused feeling good. It wouldn't last long, it never did. She snuggled in tighter as fear slid over her.

  "Make me yours in the bedroom?"

  "What?" He pressed his lips to hers again and moved back.

  "You said that if I were innocent you would make me yours. Did you mean in the bedroom?"

  "No. I meant in life, but that's up to you entirely. I don't want just meaningless sex. I want to see what can become of us."

  "You don't even know me."

  "You keep seeing that, but I've seen the ugliest parts of you and I can't stop myself from being lost in the beautiful resolve you have that keeps you going."

  "I'm not sure I want more than sex."

  He nodded, moving to rest his head on the top of hers as he pulled her head against him.

  "It's your decision, but I won't sleep with you again after tonight if not. Sex is about expressing feelings you have for someone. I'll not use it as a release without the emotions of my heart to back it up. I can't. You shouldn't either, baby. Not when I'm right here, willing."

  She closed her eyes, his words far too good to be true. Nevertheless, it would seem he was offering her redemption to become more than she was. He was offering a chance at building a partnership that wasn't based in various types of release, be it money, drugs or fucking.

  He was offering love to be built together in the future.

  Was she able to let go of the past enough to try?

  She didn't know.

  The sound of sirens woke her. Kate sat up, the room lit only by the illumination of the moon outside of her window. Jon lay sound asleep, his arm over his chest, the other still wrapped tightly around her. She looked around and listened again, the siren's growing louder.

  Getting up, she moved to the living room window to peer out. Something was off.

  "Kate? What's up, baby?"

  "Something’s wrong. Get dressed. I'm going down to the club."

  "What?" He got up like the bed was on fire. He moved toward her, his large naked body tantalizing her senses. A dull ache roared to life between her legs, her fingers sliding down to cup herself as she groaned.

  "Jon we need to get down to the club. Something’s off."

  "What's wrong with your body?" He reached her and moved to touch her stomach as she removed her hand from herself.

  "Nothing. I'm sore and it feels good to touch it."

  "Let's go check out whatever is up downstairs and I'll touch it for you when we get back."

  She pulled from him, and smirked as she chuckled. "Very funny. Now who's the nymph?"

  "I always wanted to be one. Just needed the right woman." He moved toward the living room as she turned on the light and slipped her dress over her head.

  "Hurry. I smell smoke."

  "What? Fuck." He tugged on his jeans and picked up his shirt on the way toward the door.

  "Your shoes."

  "I don't need shoes. Let's go." He opened the door and left as she slipped her flip flops on and grabbed her keys. No way was she walking the two hundred feet between the club and her place. The street was filthy with depravity. She hurried to catch up with Jon, moving behind him as they realized smoke was billowing from the opening.

  "Oh no..." She ran toward the entrance as a fireman moved in and pulled her back.

  "Sorry ma'am. This place is off limits. The fire is almost out, but it isn't safe."

  "Is the damage bad?" Tears filled her eyes as Jon moved in beside her.

  "What the fuck happened?"

  "The damage is minimal at best. We're just lucky we were returning from another fire when your neighbors saw the blaze." The young guy turned his attention on Jon. "We don't exactly know what happened yet, but we'll be coming by later today to do a full investigation. You own the place?"

  "She does." Jon moved away from them toward the building as Kate answered a few more questions.

  Jon rejoined them a few minutes later, the look on his face telling her that he had a little more information. Whatever it was, he wasn't happy about it.

  "I think we're done here. I have your number for the inspector. He'll be by sometime today, just keep your phone handy. Sorry you're having to deal with this." The fireman smiled at Kate before nodding to Jon and walking back toward the club.

  "At least the smoke has cleared." She turned to Jon.

  "Yeah, it was definitely foul play, unless you have gas at the front of the bar."

  "Gas? No, the place is heated with electricity and there isn't a kitchen or anything."

  "Then someone did that shit. I'll check it out before I go into the station. I should have gone last night, but I just couldn't leave you. You're far too cute when you're sleeping."

  "You watched me sleep?"

  "Hell yes I watched you sleep. I've been by myself most of my adult life. I've been waiting to find someone I wanted to watch sleep forever."

  "You're creepy."

  "You're hot."

  She glanced back at the club and sighed softly. "How depressing is that?"

  "You have insurance on the place?"

  "Yeah, I just know it was more than some dumb kids being douches. I'm sure it was Victor sending me a message."

  "I thought you weren't comfortable parting with that name yet."

  She opened the door to ascend the stairs to her apartment and turned to him, reaching out and pulling him against her. "Things change. People change."

  "I'm learning that." He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers as she breathed in deeply, losing herself in the musky tones of his skin and falling more in love than she cared to admit - even to herself.

  Chapter 16

  Jon

  He made sure Kate got into the shower before he left her
, the distance immediately affecting him. He had left her glock on the table, the weapon a gift for her being willing to help him.

  He ran his fingers through his hair, the smell of her all over him. He breathed in deeply and unlocked his bike at the pub across the street from her club, glancing up toward her apartment as he imagined her in the shower again. He would have to pull her in with him the next time they were together. Sex in the shower had to be his favorite. Soft slippery skin, the heat from the shower head, the cold tile stinging every time a new part of your body touched it. He sucked in a quick breath through his teeth, a whistle letting off from his actions.

  The street was empty, the place filled with trash and filth. He got on the bike, started it and pulled out, loving the wind in his hair. He needed to see if she wanted to go on a long ride with him out of the city and into the countryside. He could take her to the older parts of New Orleans, to the plantation homes and old farm houses. He cursed himself for planning the next five years of things to do with her. She hadn't agreed to anything more than sex, but he wasn't backing down. It wasn't his way at all. She would be his, he would just work to convince her that she wanted to.

  Staying away from her hot little body to prove a point was another task altogether.

  He walked into the station, a few heads turning to watch him from the waiting room. Karen glanced up as he nodded, a smile slipping onto her mouth.

  "Well, well, look what the cat dragged in."

  He paused by her door and smiled. "I was feeling like shit last night. Must've eaten something."

  "That sucks. How you holding up?"

  "Good. As good as I can, I guess." He glanced down the hall. "Captain here?"

  "Yeah. Not sure he left at all last night. Drug bust on the east side of town. I think there's intel on a new drug lord moving in. Not good at all." She shrugged as Jon turned his attention back to her.

  "Pull me together the information?"

  "You bet, handsome. I'll have it ready when you come back through."

  "Thanks Karen. You're the best." He moved down the hall, the sound of the captain yelling at someone giving him pause. He pressed his ear to the door to see if he could hear another voice or if the older man was on the phone.

  "He's on his way in, Captain." It was Seth in there with him. Jon knocked and slipped in, Mike looking up and giving him a glare.

  "Where the fuck were you last night? We needed you."

  "I'm sorry guys. I got sick. I haven't been that sick in years."

  "You've been with us since you got out of high school and have never been sick. Did you eat a burger off the floor in Bourbon Street?" The captain barked and paced behind his desk.

  Jon glanced at Seth before taking a seat next to his partner.

  "Don't know what I ate that fucked me up. I'm here now, so what's going on?"

  "There was a fire at Expulsion on Twenty-second and Johnson Avenue downtown. Just off the main strip. The report is due in later today, but it wasn't the only havoc wreaked last night." Mike threw his hands in the air.

  "Shooting on the east side of town. You hear anything about a new dealer in town in your search?" Seth looked over at Jon, his eyes swollen and red. Had he been crying or just up all night?

  "No. I do know that the girl didn't do it, but figuring out who did hasn't been that easy." Jon rolled his shoulders, waiting on them to pelt him with questions.

  "We already told you she didn't do it. Your job is to figure out who did," Mike barked, the captain on edge far worse than Jon had seen him before.

  "What aren't you guys telling me? A fire set in a building, a drive-by shooting... big fucking deal. We're in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. We're used to this. Spill before I get pissed and leave." Jon stood up, turning to pin his partner and boss with a hard stare.

  "Fuck, Jon." Seth sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "Adam's body was taken from the morgue, dude."

  "What?" Jon took a step back, his breath catching. Who would take his brother's body? Why?

  "We were hoping you knew why." The captain sat down in his chair, a long tired-sounding breath leaving the large man.

  "How the fuck would I know why someone would take my little brother's body?"

  "You're looking into this. It's been two days since you got on the case. What have you found out?" Mike asked.

  "The trail is cold thanks to you guys deciding I needed to wait a fucking week to start." He turned and walked toward the door. "I'm headed to the morgue."

  "Jon. These events are connected, man. They have to be." Seth stood up. "I'm coming with you. I have the connecting factor for it all."

  "What connecting factor?" Jon paused, his heart aching in his chest.

  "Kate Jarret."

  "Why would someone take Adam?" Jon asked, climbing into the patrol car.

  "He had to have had evidence inside of him."

  "Inside of him?"

  "What else would make sense? We checked everything on him, around him, but the autopsy was scheduled for yesterday. He's missing."

  "Mother fucker. I'm going to lay waste to every drug dealer in this town."

  "Then you need to start with the girl. Have you seen her yet?"

  "What does she have to do with this, Seth? She's clean." Jon turned his glare on his partner, his need to protect Kate rising up in him and overpowering his sense of self-preservation.

  "She and her lackey run the original ring. I've pulled proof to pin them to it. We're going to bust them tomorrow."

  Jon pulled out into the street, coaching himself not to overreact. She had lied to him. He expected that - somewhat. "What evidence and why don't we just go get them today?"

  "The male is out of town until tomorrow." Seth leaned back in his seat, letting out a long breath. "Bank accounts and one of their lackeys came clean. I'm thinking the new boss in town forced him to rat them out."

  "Kate works with a really big dude named Marcus. Are you sure Marcus isn't the drug lord? I've seen this girl. She doesn't look like a dealer, Seth." He glanced toward his partner.

  "I told you she was going to get under your skin." Seth laughed, slapping his leg. "She's wicked beautiful. Did you talk to her?"

  "I think you're wrong."

  "We have so much evidence against the girl it's sickening. I'm so sad I let it pass my senses as I was reviewing her file the first time. Bitch is slick. I bet she would be a good tight fuck." Seth gave a sound of appreciation as Jon's hand slapped his chest.

  "Cut that shit out. She's a woman. Don't talk about her like she's not."

  "She's a monster and that big dude that works with her is nothing more than her lackey. Don't be fooled by her innocence, Jon. Do your fucking job."

  "I am doing my job." He pulled up to the morgue and sat there a minute. "Why Adam's body?"

  Sick waves of loss rolled over him. The feeling had nothing to do with Adam and everything to do with Kate. Two days of knowing her. One night of feeling her move beneath him and he was willing to warn her to leave town. It would ruin his career. He sighed, his emotions tearing him down. Had she lied to him? Completely fooled him into believing her to be someone she wasn't capable of being?

  "Hey dude. You don't have to go in here. I'll go talk to the technician." Seth reached out and touched Jon's arm.

  "Naw, I'm good. Just not sleeping well and I thought I had assessed this chick right."

  "You did. She didn't kill Adam, but she sure as fuck isn't clean and clear."

  Jon turned to his friend. "So you're telling me that Kate Jarret is a drug lord."

  "Yes, and her guys were on the east side last night, warning a new guy that's moved into town to back the fuck up. Her lackey came in early this morning and told us the whole story."

  "Who spoke with him?"

  "I did."

  "You and who?"

  "Me and no one. You weren't in and the whole place was madness."

  "Did you tape it?"

  "No, I didn't have time. Why?"

 
"I just wanted to hear what he had to say."

  "I'm typing up the report soon. I'll let you have it first. You can proof it for me."

  "Good." Jon got out of the car, something about the whole situation not sitting well with him. It had to be the fact that Kate wasn't at all who she pretended to be. He swallowed regret and walked into the morgue as his phone buzzed. Looking down, he turned it off and dropped it back in his pants.

  Kate.

  She'd have to wait until he knew what he was going to say to her. Right now it would just be a whole lot of accusations being slung at her. He needed proof so that when he told her they weren't anything more than a long night of fucking, he had backup to force him to go through with it. His heart constricted painfully, Jon reaching up and rubbing it as the smell of formaldehyde washed over him.

  Did Kate have Adam's body taken? The thought turned his stomach upside down.

  Surely not...

  Chapter 17

  Kate

  Someone was banging at the front door of her apartment, which could only be one of three people. Jon, Adam or Marcus. With Adam dead and Marcus out of town, that could only mean one thing. No one else knew the code for the bottom floor door. She wrapped a towel around herself and walked toward the door, a smile on her mouth. She had been in the shower so long her hands and feet were wrinkled, but for the first time in a long time, she felt alive. Whole.

  "I'm coming. Shit." She stopped in front of the door and reached for the lock before pausing. Her stomach tightened, something sitting wrong on her. Lifting to her toes, she peered through the small peep hole to see Victor's head enforcer. He didn't look happy at all.

  "Fuck," she whispered and moved back, dropping her towel and grabbing her jeans. She slipped them on and slipped a t-shirt over her head, her bra not a concern to her. He wasn't coming in, so no need to get fully dressed.

  "I know you're in there, Katelyn. Open the door and I'll forgo my plans to put a bullet in your pretty head."