“Not really. Do you want some company? We can talk and run.”
She sighed. “Sure.”
“I think the press vans are gone now. Mind if we run outside?”
“Kevin won’t like that.”
“He’s gone for the day. Fred and Larry are downstairs. Come on, it’ll be fine.”
“All right. I’ll wait for you to get changed.”
I nodded and went back to my room. I quickly pulled on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, then stuck my feet into some running shoes. She was jogging in place when I went back to the hallway to meet her. We silently went downstairs and Amanda stopped to tell Fred where we were going. She led me through some stretching once we were outside, and I followed along, trying to keep my eyes off her fit, tempting body, and those shorts that barely covered her ass. It was not easy to avoid another raging hard-on, but I managed.
She started out with a jog. I matched her pace and followed along. I wasn’t much of a runner, but I could keep up with her as we started out. We hit our stride together and started up the hill. That was the beauty of getting outside, or any distraction-free workout for that matter—neither of us needed to say anything.
It was only when we stopped to take a breather at the peak that she broke our silence. “I’m sorry they got that footage of us. I should have been more observant before the show.”
“It’s not your fault. I should be thanking you for stopping me when you did.”
She nodded thoughtfully. “I also meant to say this earlier,” she continued, “but I’m sorry to hear about your parents. If you ever want to talk about it, I’m here.”
I couldn’t hold back the urge to hold her then. I stretched my arms around her shoulders. “That means more to me than you know.”
“I’m glad,” she said, before pulling away.
I smiled over at her. “And I’ll try to keep my hands to myself as much as I can.”
“It’s probably better that way. I mean, I’m just as mixed up about what’s been happening between us as you are.”
My eyebrows shot up and I looked over at her. “Really? Because you seem pretty sure about what you want…and don’t want. Not just between us, but everything…your business, your work ethic, your fitness…everything.”
She laughed. “Wow. That’s the first time I’ve heard that.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. All my life, I was on one track. I wanted to be a fighter. I could do anything if it got me to that goal. But ever since that got taken away from me…I guess I’m a bit lost right now.”
I was not sure how to respond. I wanted to hold her, to tell her it was going to be okay. But I didn’t know what she would accept from me anymore.
“Can we start with you letting me hold you? As a friend. I know you don’t want to get…intimate. I just don’t want things to be uncomfortable between us. Today was miserable,” I admitted.
She smiled and stepped into my arms again. “Okay. A hug works.” She wrapped her arms round my waist and lifting her chin up to look at me. After a short time, she turned toward the view of the city, but stayed in the embrace. Dusk was starting to fall and soon the city would be a sea of twinkling lights in the darkness. Part of me wanted to stay there with her to watch it transform.
“We should get back before dark,” she said. She probably clocked my disappointment, because she followed up with, “Let’s try to keep on Kevin’s good side, okay? He’s already pissed at us. And I don’t want to get in the way of your relationship with him. I know what that’s like.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, but already knew where she was going.
“My mother is the only family I have left, and we’re not very close. I don’t want that for you.”
I was going to ask her more about it—to be polite, because I already knew about the rift between her and her mother—but she pulled out of my arms and broke into a run.
“I’ll race you down to the house!” She was already close to fifty feet ahead of me.
“You’re on!” I bolted to try and catch up.
I tore off down the hill after her, rapidly picking up speed. I got close at one point, but she took off in a sprint once we got back to my driveway and made it to the front steps long before I could catch her. She giggled and did a perky little happy dance. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She was so fucking sexy. I wanted to tear off her tiny shorts and bury myself in her tight pussy.
“You okay there?” she asked, studying my face.
I nodded, hands on my knees as I bent over to catch my breath. “Yeah, great. How about best two out of three?”
“What?”
“Well, I lost the race, but I think I could show you up in an MMA-style wrestling match. And I can think about what I’ll beat you at for the third part of the challenge.” I looked over at her with a smirk. “I’ll come up with something.”
She burst out laughing. “Wait. You’re not serious about throwing down with me, are you?” I smiled at her, loving the way her face lit up at my suggestion. “Oh, this I’ve got to see.”
“Come on,” I told her, “I’ve got some mats down in the gym.”
Chapter 8 - Johnny
She followed me into the house and we used the back steps to go down to the gym. This way, we could avoid the guys still working in the studio.
“What are all these rooms down here?” she asked. “I don’t remember getting this far when you showed me around.”
“I think you were interested in rooms that have separate access points to outside. None of these do. That’s a movie theater, and across from it is a rec room and old-school arcade games room. You’ve seen the gym and studio. That’s pretty much it.”
“Pretty cool.”
“I rarely use them. They’re not much fun to use alone, and some of the friends I hung out with…well let’s just say I’m better off with fewer friends like the ones I had.”
“How so?”
“The easy way to put it is…some friendships change when money is involved. And after a while, having crazy parties and trashing the place gets a bit old.” I led her to the gym and laid down two thick mats in the middle of the room.
“All right Roxy Punisher. Show me what you got.”
She stared at me for a moment, probably from my using her MMA name. She quickly snapped out of it. “Rules?”
“No punching the face, or below the belt,” I said, gesturing to my bulge.
She rolled her eyes. “Sounds fair. But you’re still going down, bud.”
I shook my head and we squared off. We circled each other for a moment, sizing each other up. I was still way too distracted by her tight little body, and when she dove in for my legs, I ended up on my back. She pinned me down and straddled my stomach, her thighs clenching me tightly. I tried to grab for her, but before I could blink, she had my arms pinned to the floor.
“I wasn’t ready,” I said, laughing.
“Sure you won’t.”
“I’ll get you next time.”
“If you say so,” she said, throwing me a wink.
Shit…my cock perked at her suggestive tone. I tried to wriggle away before she could notice. The harder I tried to push away, the firmer her grip. I was stuck—and getting harder by the second.
She laughed in her victory, and I caught her off guard, surging up and flipping her off me. She landed on her side. Tugging my arms out of her grasp, I caught her around the waist and pinned her down. I used my body weight to keep her still, our faces inches apart.
“Well done,” she conceded. I stayed on top, enjoying every inch of where our bodies were in contact.
She panted loudly, trying to push me up. I let her push me off and we reset, ready to go again. I gave her my best game face, and she seemed to fight back a smile. We circled a little longer this time, each a little more aware of the other. She lunged and I dodged, sidestepping as she pitched forward. She sprang back to position and we circled again. The next time, I made the fi
rst move, but she caught me and got my arm twisted behind me. I buckled under the pain and sank to my knees. She released me, just long enough to push me forward and pin me. Before she could get her full weight on me, I rolled over. She was straddling me again.
We were both breathless with the effort as we stared at each other. She released her arms and I felt her weight shift, like she was about to get to her feet. I caught her around the waist and held her firm against me. My fingers gripped her sides, electricity shooting from her sweat-covered skin into my fingertips. I slid my hands up, slowly, caressing the gentle curves that led up to the elastic band of her sports bra. My eyes were locked on hers. She gasped when my hands moved over her soft, round breasts. Her nipples instantly hardened. I ran my thumbs over them. She shivered.
She rocked her weight back and her ass bumped into my hardness. Her eyes half-closed as she looked back to me. She opened her mouth to say something, but I put my fingertip to her lips.
“Amanda,” I whispered, “I have to have you.”
She whimpered, and my cock stiffened even more. I wanted to hear her make that sound again. I ran my thumbs along her nipples again, applying more pressure. She closed her eyes and drank it in. She was so gorgeous. Every last inch. Her running shorts were cinched up around her legs as she straddled me. I could feel her hot pussy through the fabric as she ground down on my stomach.
“Fuck,” I groaned.
I wanted her so badly I could rip off her shorts and explore her with my hungry tongue. I seized the moment, flipping her over and pinning her arms above her head.
“We shouldn’t,” she moaned out, breathing against my cheek as I lowered my face to hers.
“I’ll stop, if that’s what you really want,” I whispered.
I lifted my face so I could look into her eyes. They wildly searched mine. I wished I knew why she kept holding back—besides the obvious expectation of professionalism and Kevin’s constant meddling. It was clear she had a reason not to get close to me. I wished she would tell me.
Suddenly, without warning, she surged up, arching her back against the floor, and her lips crashed back to mine. I returned her fierce kiss, and she lowered back to the ground. Her hands slid under my shirt and held me around the waist, pulling me down firmly on top of her.
I deepened into the kiss, slowing down the pace, tasting and exploring, taking my time with her. I slid my tongue between her lips and she circled mine. My body was on fire. I wanted her so badly, but felt the need to take my time and enjoy every inch of her. I slowed myself down, moving from her lips to kiss the soft spot behind her ear. She tilted her hips under me, pulling me in for more contact. I tipped away slightly, hoping to stretch out the moment and make it last. Her legs wrapped around my hips. I expected her to grip me passionately, but instead, she put a hand to the mat for leverage and flipped me to the side.
“Johnny, what are you doing?” she asked, panting breathlessly.
I pulled away and stared down into her wide eyes. “I’m making love to you. Slowly.”
She had an altogether different reaction. She twisted out of my grip and shoved me off her.
“I can’t do this,” she said, getting to her feet. She stalked across the room.
“Amanda, wait,” I started after her and held her by the arm.
She turned to me. Her eyes were misty. She was close to tears. “Please, let me go,” she said.
I nodded, and she slipped from the room.
Shit! She was gone again. I turned and walked to the other end of the room, attacking the anchored punching bag that hung there. I hit it over and over, my bare knuckles pleading with me to stop, but I didn’t slow down until I had spent every last bit of energy. When I was done, I sagged against the wall and caught my breath. I shoved the mats back up against the wall and left, charging up the two flights of stairs. I looked over at Amanda’s room before stepping into mine. Her door was closed—probably locked.
I went into my room and shut the door, my hands and my head aching. None of it could compete with the regret that wrenched my chest for pushing her too far too fast.
Chapter 9 - Amanda
“What is wrong with me?” I scolded myself once I was back in the safety of my room. I paced back and forth in front of the door, unsure how to handle this conflicted feeling that would not go away. I couldn’t begin to unwind the thoughts racing through my mind. I was upset at myself for letting things go too far with Johnny—over and over again. This assignment had me completely unglued. It did not help that the room was still filled with the flowers he had bought me. He must have told the housekeeper to water them, or bought some long-lasting variety. The lavish bouquets looked as stunning as the first time my eyes caught sight of them.
Stepping over to the dresser where my small jewelry box sat, I opened the box and picked up the locket he gave me. I used my nail to open the tiny clasp, and gazed down at Dad’s picture. A long sigh escaped my lips, with a wish Johnny had not been this sweet, thoughtful and kind. I couldn’t resist him, with or without the gifts—even when I tried really hard. My job and his safety depended on me staying away from his bed, and that didn’t stop me either. I wanted Johnny, but his eyes wanted more than I was ready to give back to him. He wanted to make love to me? God, if I had stayed down there with him, there would be no going back.
My body was still amped up from the workout, and I was dripping in sweat. I desperately needed a shower. I went into the bathroom and turned on the water, stripping out of my sweat-drenched workout clothes. I stepped into the shower and let the water wash away the sweat, the dirt, and the stress. Shit! It would be so much simpler if he was only interested in sex. He clearly was not, no matter how many times he pulled away to give me space. And then, he went and said what he did when he had me pinned to the floor, with our bodies meshed together, our breathing heavy in the heat of the moment.
I’m making love to you. Slowly. His words echoed back and all I could see was the look in his eyes.
He meant it.
Making love.
I growled into my hands. Love was not an option anymore. Not with anyone, but especially not with Johnny. It was bad enough I couldn’t seem to control my body around him; I could not afford to lose control of my heart too. He had opened up to me emotionally, and I was starting to do the same with him. I could see us being friends. He was sensitive, sweet, caring. Obviously loyal, if he continued to put up with Kevin’s bullshit for the sake of family. He was amazing in bed. Who could forget that? Protective, and fierce when he needed to be. And despite how bad things were, he always found a way to make me smile. He was so easy to be around. I wanted to be there for him, but we kept getting back to this place where the sexual energy was more intimate—too intimate. I could not go there. Johnny was everything I wanted in a friend. It’s the intimacy he clearly craved that got me unglued. I was not looking for that.
By the time I got done in the shower, my stress and worry was still in the back of my mind, but another emotion had taken over. Fear. He was making his way in, and I was dangerously close to letting him in. A wave of anxiety swept over me. Was I afraid of losing him? Or keeping him?
My thoughts shifted back to when he mentioned he did not have anyone who was there for him, other than Kevin and Lady Dame. My heart stung with the memory. I was starting to care for him. That was the problem.
I stepped out of the shower, dried off and went back to find some pajamas to wear. I heard my phone buzz, indicating I had a voice message. I grabbed the phone and climbed into bed to relax while catching up on life outside of Johnny Q Venom’s world.
The first message was from my old security company, wanting to know if I was free to take a week-long set of shifts for some political rally. It was a three day-old message, so I replied to my old manager by text to let him know I was still unavailable. The next one was from Eva. The call must have come in while I was working out. She sounded animated, and wanted me to phone her back right away. I found it strange. Normally she
only texted me, and we would figure out a time to talk live. I hung up from the voicemail and checked the texts. Ouch. She had sent me six messages since lunchtime.
I flipped back to my contact list and phoned her right away.
“Hello?” she answered.
“Eva? It’s Amanda. Sorry I just saw your messages.”
“Amanda! OMG girl, I’ve been trying to get you all day.”
“Is something wrong?”
“No, but you had better start talking.”
“About what?”
“Your ass is all over the celebrity news!”
“Ugh…you saw it, huh?”
“Yes, and so did the three hundred million people in America who watch the news, or read up on celebrity gossip in magazines and online.”
“Christ.”
“Now I know why you couldn’t tell me what you were up to in LA! Your secret is out, bestie. So you can tell me everything. And don’t you dare leave anything out!”
I dreaded getting into it with her. In all likelihood, with the mood I was in, she would have me bawling like a baby if I admitted everything. “This is not a good time, Eva. Can we talk about it in a few days, or when I’m back?”
“Awww, hell no! I’ve waited long enough. And now I’m pissed!” She laughed. “I should not have to find out you’re getting down and dirty with Johnny Q Venom at the same time as the rest of America, for Christ’s sake. I’m your bestie, dammit. And now you have to make it up to me. So spill!”
“Okay, okay. I’ll tell you what I can.”
“Damn straight you’re telling me.”
“Will you stop that?” I giggled. “I’m trying to talk now, and you’re rubbing it in.”
“Okay. I’ll zip it. I’m listening now.”
“All right…” I paused and tried to think of the best place to start. There was so much I could not tell her. “This was supposed to be a security manager gig. I was hired to work for a guy out here for a few weeks. Originally, I was to lead a handpicked security team to protect that person for a project. That did not happen. I can’t talk about why, but what I can tell you is I met Johnny, and I’m his …” I hesitated, because I couldn’t tell her this whole media stunt was contrived. As much as I trusted Eva, I couldn’t risk the FBI’s case by blowing our cover.
HERO (The Complete Series) Page 98
