by Kristen Echo
“I’m sure it didn’t,” she said, fighting the urge to touch the hair along his jaw. She suspected it would be prickly and would feel like heaven between her thighs. Something she would have experienced if she’d followed him the previous night. She was losing her resolve and finding it hard to remember why she should stay away.
“Look, I came to talk. Then… I’ve been standing out here for a while. I overheard the yelling from the street. Are you okay?” Joe reached out and rubbed her arm. “I get why you’d rather not be here.”
Her eyes followed his hand, and she shrugged her shoulders. She hated that he’d heard them tear into each other. It hadn’t been civilized. “I’m fine. It’s not always like that. We… I told them… it doesn’t matter. It’s none of your business.”
“It’s not. You don’t have to tell me, but I’m here if you want to talk or just not be alone. We could chill together and do whatever. Get your mind off the things said in there. Maybe have fun.” He offered her solace from the storm.
An escape from her parents and her problems when he didn’t know all the details. The offer was sweet. Hailey wasn’t sure how to take it. The wound from her parent’s rejection was too fresh. She had to get out of there.
“Fun. Right. The only reason you’re here is because you can’t figure me out. I’m a challenge you need to conquer. I turned you down when every other woman falls at your feet. Am I right?” She brushed off his hand and stepped past him.
“For the record, not everyone bows down at my feet,” he said, following her down the steps. “Just most. I can’t help it. But you’re not right about everything. My interest in you started before you turned me down. Again, you haven’t explained why that is.”
When she reached the sidewalk, she debated which way to go. “I don’t have to explain shit to you. Dammit. I’m sorry if I’m being rude and bitchy, but I’ve got a lot on my mind and you’re distracting me.” With him in her face she couldn’t think straight. Her mind traveled to the gutter and slowly undressed him. Under those layers, she’d find tanned muscles and hard lines. Each word he uttered made it hard for her to keep away. “You’ve made a sweet offer, Joe; but—”
“Sweet,” he chortled. “Far from it. Our paths will keep crossing since your sister is with Cam. Before you turn me down, again, at least get to know me. I don’t know your story and you don’t know mine. Let’s fix that. Grab a bite to eat with me.” He waved his hand towards the silver Tesla parked across the street.
She exhaled and nodded because it was the quickest way to get away from her parents. It would also be the swiftest way to push him away for good. Her story wasn’t fascinating or glamorous like the celebrities he probably hung with. Hailey stepped towards his car and he pressed his hand to the small of her back. The commanding pressure made her breath hitch.
This guy kept showing up at strange moments in her life. She wasn’t mad or pissed to see him. In fact, she was glad, which threw her off. She gripped her bag as it hung off one shoulder and let him guide her to the passenger seat.
“Hailey, breakfast is on me. Don’t argue like you do about everything else.” His refusal to take no for an answer turned her on. Dominant men checked off her boxes. As she looked up at him, he looked good enough to eat. After the confrontation with her folks and the banter with Joe, she was charged. Only the hunger in her belly wasn’t for food.
“I won’t argue,” she said as she sat in the passenger seat. “I’m ready to eat. If you are?” Her voice took on a sultriness she hadn’t used in ages.
Joe closed her door, and she watched him round the car. His jeans hung low on his hips. The leather jacket hugged his body like a glove. He sat and gripped the steering wheel without looking in her direction. She unzipped her coat. His eyes darted towards her chest. The energy in the car crackled with sexuality. Her breaths were shallow. She noticed the bulge in his pants grow. It tugged against his zipper, begging for attention.
He turned on the car and switched off the radio. Nothing but silence filled the electric sedan. Hailey ran her hands over the soft white leather and tried to collect her emotions. Every cell in her body vibrated with adrenaline.
“I don’t live in his area, so do you have any restaurant recommendations?” He pulled the quiet car onto the street, keeping both hands on the wheel. Hailey remained silent, mesmerized by his mouth. “There’s a diner outside the city that’s awesome, but it’s far. My buddy Theo’s woman works there. It’s probably best if you don’t meet Carly.”
“Ex-girlfriend?” Hailey figured men like Joe probably had a million exes. A trail of broken-hearted women pining after the hockey star. One list of women he’s fucked and forgotten, and a list of women in line to be fucked. She rolled her eyes, knowing she was in the latter category waiting to be moved to the first.
“Carly and me? Hell no. Never together and never will be. I don’t have time for girlfriends. My focus is hockey. Theo on the other hand… it’s only a matter of time before he puts a ring on her finger. He’s whipped. His balls are in a… I won’t finish that thought. Since you’re hungry, we should pick something closer.” They pulled up to a red light, and he finally turned towards her.
“Afraid of being tied down?”
“You could tie me down anytime, baby.” His lips lifted on the side. That cocky grin was her downfall.
His mouth. Those lips. She had to make them hers.
Hailey reached over and gripped his head, planting her mouth against his. She licked over his full lips until they parted. She hadn’t planned to kiss him, but she didn’t regret it. His tongue wrapped around hers and tasted of coffee and cream. He kissed with confidence and she became consumed with desire.
The soft stubble on his face scratched against her cheeks as he deepened the kiss. She closed her eyes when the intensity of his gaze became too much. His fingers dove into her hair, holding her where he wanted. She pulled on his hair as he angled her head to the side, so he could invade more thoroughly. Hailey may have started it, but he controlled the kiss.
A horn blared, and she released the grip on his hair, but he refused to let her go. Her eyes opened, but his had closed, making the moment seem far more intimate than she’d intended. Joe sucked on her lip as she attempted to pull away. He held the back of her head, refusing to separate. The horn continued to honk. She stopped resisting and gave in to him. The light turned from green to yellow and they never stopped kissing. She ran her thumbs over his cheeks as she cupped his face. They went at each other as if the world was about to end and this was their last chance at passion. Her dream came racing back.
She chewed the edge of his lip and he moaned. A deep thundering noise that resonated through her body, drenching her already damp panties. “Pull over at the next parking lot. This way people won’t have to drive around or interrupt.”
Her hand moved down his throat, over his chest and landed on his lap. The bulge she’d noticed earlier, strained even more against his jeans. She licked her lips, knowing exactly what she wanted.
He turned his head towards the road. “No. I’m not pulling over till we find a place to eat. I am serious about getting to know you.” He let her go and his hands returned to the wheel.
He’d said no.
His response surprised and spurred her on even more. Fine. She had no idea what this guy was after, but it seemed like more than a good time.
“Okay,” she said as the car moved forward when the light turned green. “We don’t have to pull over.” Hailey moved her hand over his jeans, unzipped his pants and slipped it inside his briefs.
Hot, smooth skin bounced into her palm. His hand moved over hers as she gripped his shaft. Joe groaned and shifted in his seat. “Hailey,” he breathed her name, but didn’t tell her to stop when she released his cock from the confines of his shorts. “Fuck. I thought we’d talk and learn stuff about each other.”
Impressive. Her eyes drank in every steel-hard inch. She’d forgotten how thick and perfect he was. Hailey placed b
oth hands on him. One hand squeezed the base as the other slipped up and down the smooth skin. “I’m getting to know you better. Isn’t that what you wanted.” Her thumb circled around his tip, collecting the moisture. She let go of his cock and sucked the pearl of pre-ejaculate from her thumb. She moaned her appreciation.
“Damn you’re sexy! That feels great, but I’m serious about—”
Hailey leaned over and swallowed the head of his penis, halting his words. This was so much better than her dream. Catching him by surprise was a bonus. She continued to squeeze and twist her hand around the base as she became acquainted with his girth. She flicked her tongue around the crown. His hips lifted in response. His hand landed on the back of her head as she sealed her lips around his erection. He forced his way deeper into her mouth until he reached the back of her throat. She relaxed her gag reflexes, taking more.
“Holy hell! Your mouth never ends.” He opened his legs wider, allowing her access to his balls which she rolled between her fingers. “I’m not stopping this car until we get to… dammit, I still don’t know where we’re going yet.”
She would have smiled if her lips weren’t busy. Licking, sucking and alternating between. She learned what drove him insane. Joe liked it rough. His teeth gnashed when she grazed him with her teeth. She did it repeatedly. Each time earned a sharp intake of breath and tug against her hair. She loved it.
“I’m turning left. Gonna head towards Corydon Avenue. Lots of options there. You’re very distracting,” he said with a choppy voice. “I’m going to keep talking, so we don’t crash.”
The car was so silent that each slurp resonated through the vehicle. He announced each turn and the details around him as if he needed to say each step to stop himself from exploding. Prolonging the bliss. She continued to bob on his cock. Increasing the tempo as he neared his climax. He let go of her hair, moving his hand into her bra and fondling her breast.
“I wish I could suck on your tits right now. Show you exactly how hard I like it.” He plucked at her nipple, pinching it until she squirmed in her seat. Her core clenched and contracted to his every move. Hailey had never climaxed from breast play, but there was a first time for everything. The harder he teased, the closer he pushed her, but it wasn’t enough. She released his balls and slipped her hand inside her pants, reaching for the tight bundle of nerves.
“Rub it fast, Hailey. Suck me harder. I am going to come all over that wicked tongue.” He pumped his hips as she followed his command. “You’ll be tasting me for days. I’m parking the car now. That’s it. Pinch your clit right now and come with me.”
He tossed his head back and howled her name as he erupted into her mouth. The first slash sent her over. Her climax followed his. A whimper escaped. She swallowed his release and sucked until she claimed every drop. Joe let go of her breast and pulled her hand from between her legs. He sucked on her fingers as the orgasm rolled on. Once the shaking subsided, she slowly removed his penis from her mouth.
She smiled and winked before sitting upright in her seat. He slipped his hand from hers and returned her smile. Hailey adjusted her top and re-zipped her jacket. There was nothing to say. She’d let her hormones rule her decisions and now she was late to meet with Renee.
“Hailey, I like you. You’re different and you keep surprising me. This date will be fun.” He laughed.
Her heart constricted at his words.
They weren’t supposed to like each other. Most of all, she wasn’t supposed to like him. This man was all wrong for her and getting attached to him would be stupid. Fuck. She frantically searched her surroundings, formulating a plan of escape. Her pulse raced. She had to get away from him. He looked away, tucking himself back into his jeans.
What the hell had she been thinking? She hadn’t been. That was the problem. Joe Larson was a huge distraction.
Hailey grabbed her bag by her feet, opened the door, and bolted. She ran as fast as she could. Running away for the second time was embarrassing, but she didn’t want to go on a date. Not after they’d been intimate. More than once. She swore she’d never date again. Her heart wasn’t free, and it never would be.
Chapter 6
She turned the corner, glanced over her shoulder and watched Joe get out of his car. Her breathing remained even as she hadn’t traveled more than a block yet seeing him caused her pulse to race. From the distance, she saw the crinkles around his eyes as he slammed his hands on the hood. Frustration radiated off him.
A slight cramp emanated from her side, but it paled compared to the throbbing in her foot. All those hours in rehab working her foot couldn’t take away the ache. No amount of therapy would make her whole again, but the pain was manageable without drugs. So many soldiers became hooked after an injury. Drug addiction and suicide were a pandemic for veterans. She didn’t want to join those statistics.
Hailey kept her body out of sight and spied on the hockey player, wondering if he’d charge after her or leave her be. A minute passed, he didn’t chase which was good. He’d never catch her. It was best he figured that out now and gave up. Metaphorically, since she had no doubt with his conditioning, he’d keep up physically. Hell, with those long limbs he’d be able to outrun her. Not that it mattered since he did nothing but stand beside his car, staring at the sky.
The day continued its downward progression. It had been a mistake to get in the car in the first place, but her instincts had not thrown any red flags. If anything, she was drawn to him. His presence had thrown her off balance more than her missing pinkie toe. Instead of using her brain, she’d let her hormones dictate her actions. His silky voice and sultry mouth lured her in. Acting on impulse was reckless, and she knew better. Still she found it hard to take her eyes off him.
Her fists clenched, and she exhaled, unable to shake the uneasy feeling inside. Why did she care that he seemed distraught? It’s not like she liked him. She couldn’t. Hailey shoved the urge to return away. Her mistakes and missteps were piling up. Going back would only add more.
In a short amount of time, he’d gotten under her skin. She licked her lips. His salty musk lingered. Hailey rubbed her jean covered thighs together and wished she’d had more time with him. Wish he’d stopped when she’d asked so she could have felt all those rock-hard inches inside her again. It wasn’t the sex that scared her off. She loved sex. She’d welcome another tryst with Joe, but he seemed hell bent on turning it into more. That was a deal breaker. She was an empty shell with nothing left to give. He deserved better.
The clouds covered the sun, casting shadows on the day. Hailey didn’t wait for Joe to change his mind. She turned and left. It was pointless to stare at someone she’d never let herself get close to. Her legs moved quickly, conditioned to move and cover far distances. Hailey ran all the way to the park where she hoped Renee would still be.
Empty. No one was there. She removed her backpack and rested, thinking about all the hot spots where they might be. The day was warm, melting the last remnants of snow. They could be anywhere. She removed her jacket, stuffing it into her bag. Hailey walked through the back-alleys of downtown Winnipeg until she found the crew she sought. The same group of runaways huddled by a nearby dumpster, reminiscent of Easter evening. Litter cluttered the sides of the alleyway and graffiti decorated the facades. Spring had taken the bite out of the cold winter temperatures, but it wasn’t tank-top weather.
She shoved her hands in her pockets and closed the distance between them. Game time.
Her attention moved to Bill and the way his hand pressed against Renee’s backside. The girl wore short jean shorts and a pink, skin tight sleeveless top. She wasn’t doing herself any favors with that outfit in warding off unwanted advances from the surrounding men. It was only a matter of time before Bill’s hands crawled inside her shorts. Hailey knew from previous discussions that Renee wasn’t interested in him. She was nursing a broken heart and wouldn’t give any specifics. Young love was fickle. Hailey suspected she’d been dumped, but she couldn’t ge
t the details from Renee.
“Bill. Have you been in touch with Trevor? I may have stumbled into some cash,” she said, stepping between the pair, giving Renee’s ass a needed break.
“Where you been all morning Miss Thang? You got that money on you?” He stepped back and eyed her bag.
“Wouldn’t you like to know? Once I know where I can buy, I’ll get it.”
He pressed his hand to his chest and snickered. “Don’t you trust me? That hurts.”
“No one trusts you,” Renee added. “I’ve seen you sneak—”
“Keep your mouth shut, girl. You haven’t seen shit.” He reached out to hit her, but Hailey used her body to prevent his reach.
Renee snuck further away and put her head down. Her mangled hair covered her face like a veil. “You’re right. I have seen nothing. But Hailey’s smart.”
“Thanks, Renee.” Hailey winked at her. “I don’t give a shit what you do with other people. Only thing I care about, is getting more of that delicious white gold. I’m tapped for cash so… I need to talk with Trevor and see if we can work something out.”
“You’re lucky you’re hot.” Bill lowered his arm. “You’re not a cop, are you?”
Hailey rolled her eyes, but maybe Bill was smarter than he looked. Smart enough not to get trapped. “I’m not the police. I’m ex-military and could kill you in a heartbeat, but otherwise I’m harmless.” She batted her lashes at him.
“No shit. That explains your tolerance. Been using for a while?”
Hailey assumed her acting skills had allowed her to blend, but obviously she needed to work on them. “You could say that. My doc’s being a dickhead and cut back my pill supply. I need the extra energy to function.” She rubbed her nose and sniffled. “That’s why—”
