Being Free (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Lee Rose

  Anna looked through her clothes. When she had moved in with Santiago, he had thrown all her old clothes away saying she had no fashion sense. She had felt comfortable wearing jeans and T-shirts. Now all she had was fancy designer clothes that she hated. She’d give anything for a raggedy T-shirt and pajama pants to sit around and be lazy with.

  She finally chose a red tight dress that was short and clung to her curvy figure. All her dresses and skirts were short because Santiago said she had nice legs and she should show them off. She put a black sweater over the dress because it was low cut and buttoned it up as far as she could. She added black heels. She brushed out her long curls, deciding to leave them loose. She darkened her lashes with mascara. She skipped the eye shadow and lipstick but put red ruby earrings on and a matching necklace.

  Anna took one last look in the mirror. Santiago had been right to make her work out. She liked her new toned body and she felt strong. Andrew had showed her self-defense moves on the side one day when he had seen her arms and legs covered in bruises. He knew Santiago hit her and he told her one day she would have the confidence to fight back. He had been right but it had been too late to save Ben.

  She pasted a smile on her face when she heard knocking and opened the door. Blake looked handsome with a black buttoned shirt and dark blue jeans. His hair was damp and had a slight wave to it. He gave her a wolfish whistle and she felt her cheeks get warm.

  “Sorry if I am overdressed. I didn’t bring any casual clothes with me.” She felt like she should apologize. So far everyone in this town seemed to dress casually and although at home she would have fit in anywhere, here she stood out like a sore thumb.

  Blake took her by the hand and led her to a silver truck parked in front of her room. He opened the passenger door for her to get in. “So you were taking a fun road trip that required nothing but fancy clothes?”

  Anna buckled her seatbelt. When she looked over at him and into his pretty eyes, her mind went blank. Any excuse would sound like a lie so she just nodded and decided saying nothing was probably the best way to go.

  “I thought we’d go to a steakhouse,” he said, dropping his questions for now. He started driving out of the motel parking lot and out to the main road. It was a quiet night and when she looked up into the dark sky she could actually see the stars shining brightly. It was a nice peaceful view without the blinding city lights overpowering the scenery.

  “They have salad but I hope you order real food, honey. Cleaning my office will be quite a workout.”

  Anna laughed, looking forward to the task. “That’s true. How can you concentrate with all that mess?”

  He looked like he was really thinking about it. Finally he shrugged. “I don’t know. Me and Sam just throw the bills and receipts there. It works for us. Victor does the bodywork and has a home office where he keeps his stuff. He says our method is too confusing.”

  “Method? You actually call throwing papers down on a desk a method?” She laughed, enjoying being able to tease someone without fear of retaliation.

  He chuckled, showing her he was not at all offended by her teasing. “Yes, brat, I call it a method. I am the boss after all.”

  “True,” she agreed.

  It was only a ten-minute drive to the steakhouse. She was really enjoying seeing a nicer side of Blake instead of just the hard looking man she had met on the first day. He had his hand on her back as they walked side by side and she liked the feel of it there. For a second it felt like a real date but that was a dangerous thought. She had to move on and soon. She could smell his cologne and she liked the fresh scent. She was tempted to bury her nose in his neck and just inhale his sexiness. He held the door open for her to enter first. It was crowded but they found a table in the corner and she was glad it was not in the middle where a crowd of people sat eating dinner and conversing.

  Blake convinced her to try a steak and she gave in but replaced the baked potato with a salad. He rolled his eyes but left her order alone when she threatened him with bodily harm if he tried to change it.

  “Thanks for taking me out for dinner, Blake. I hate eating alone. You’re not as mean as I thought you were on that first day.” She smiled at him.

  Blake smiled and sipped on his soda. He glanced at her across the table. “Gee thanks, Anna.”

  “I don’t even know your full name,” He commented casually, too casual. “Is it really Anna?”

  She looked scared for a second and bit her lip as if deciding to trust him or not. After a long silence she whispered, “Yes, all my friends call me Anna. That’s all I’m willing to say, Blake, but I swear I am not a criminal here to steal from you.”

  She looked around the crowded restaurant as if expecting someone to come out of hiding and grab her.

  He reached across the table and held her hand. “You sure have a suspicious nature but that’s okay. I understand. I’m the same way.”

  She let out a loud breath and gave him a sad smile. “Once upon a time I was naïve and trusted everyone. I learned the hard way that just because someone seems nice doesn’t mean they are.”

  He didn’t want her feeling sad so he changed the subject. “So if I can’t have your full name, at least tell me something about you. What do you like to do?”

  He didn’t let go of her hand and she liked the feeling it gave her. It was an innocent touch yet she felt butterflies in her stomach as she gazed across the table. She was curious about him and that was dangerous. Forming a close bond with someone was not healthy for her and especially him. She thought about his question seriously and wasn’t sure how to answer such a simple question. Santiago had taken over her life so much that she wasn’t sure what she really liked to do.

  “I like seeing new places. I’ve been to New York, London, and Paris,” she finally answered honestly. “It’s exciting to see a different view and how people live in other places.”

  “The places I saw with the military were mostly jungles, rivers, and deserts.” He laughed. “I regret to say none of my missions took me anywhere glamorous but maybe someday I will see Paris.”

  Anna smiled and nodded. “It’s a beautiful place with good food and wine. I was there for two weeks and I loved it. I would love to go back someday.”

  * * * *

  Blake thought she was adorable when she smiled and he wondered if she noticed he hadn’t let go of her hand. He liked the simple contact. She was talking about Paris but he was just admiring her animated face as she talked. Her hair was long and loose and made her look like a seductress. He felt like this was the first glimpse of the real Anna she had shown since he met her. Anna was intriguing and he wanted to discover who she really was and what she liked. He told himself he shouldn’t care. As soon as her truck was fixed she would be gone and life could get back to normal.

  He liked the fact that she wasn’t wearing any make-up and she still managed to look beautiful and classy. He had the feeling her ex probably picked out all her clothes. She didn’t look comfortable in them and he wondered how she would dress if she picked out her own clothes. He would hope it would be a pair of tight blue jeans so he could watch her wiggle her butt as he walked behind her. His cock hardened at that thought. He was glad they had a wooden table between them. She would probably freak out if she saw his erection bulging through his jeans. This was supposed to be a friendly date.

  The waitress came with their food and he let go of her hand. He had the craziest urge to pull her chair next to him so she would be close enough for him to touch her. It was a crazy idea because he did not do romance. He had taken Jenna out to eat plenty of times but he had never been tempted to just hold her hand. Instead he had been tempted to tell her to shut up once in a while. Now here he sat with Anna and she was so quiet. He found himself asking her questions just to see her smile or her eyes light up when she got excited about something. He told her about joining the military and how close he was to his brothers.

  He had to admit he really enjoyed this date. No, not a da
te, he reminded himself. They were just two casual friends eating at the same table.

  The only bad moment of the night was when they ran into his ex as they were paying the bill. She was walking in with one of her girlfriends and looked surprised to see him with another woman, especially one as beautiful as Anna. She gave Anna a hateful look and noticed her fancy dress and heels. “A little overdressed aren’t you?”

  Anna looked at Blondie’s short blue jean shorts that were so short her ass was hanging out of them and her pink halter top that only went to her midriff. She was tall and very skinny. “At least I’m not underdressed. I think you forgot some of your clothes at home.”

  Blake let out a loud laugh that had people looking over at them. Anna was right. She could take care of herself.

  “She got you there, Jenna,” he told his ex who looked like she wanted to scream. He put his arm around Anna’s shoulder. “She just doesn’t know classy when she sees it, honey. Let’s get out of here.”

  “Bastard,” Jenna yelled loudly but Blake ignored her and led Anna to his truck by the hand, still laughing. He leaned against the truck and pulled her into a hug. The temperature was cooling down a little and there was a slight breeze in the night air.

  “Aren’t you going to tell me what rotten taste I have?” he asked. “Believe me, my family and my friends all saw Jenna for what she was before I ever did.”

  Anna leaned into Blake’s warm, hard body and let out a tiny sigh. “I have no right to judge you, Blake. My ex-boyfriend makes Jenna look like a walk in the park.”

  “Ouch,” he said, squeezing her in comfort. He stroked her long hair, loving the silky feel of it. “Want to talk about it? Trade war stories and all that?”

  He felt her shake her head but she didn’t let go of him and he guessed she was enjoying the feel of having someone hug her. Her body felt soft leaning against him and unfortunately he couldn’t hide how hard he was so he didn’t.

  “I wish, but my story is pretty ugly, Blake. You might not like me then.”

  “I do like you, Anna. I keep telling myself I just got rid of Jenna and I don’t need the headache of getting involved but I find myself drawn to you anyways.” He had a lot of mixed up feelings right now but he wanted her to know he did like her and he was sure she could feel his body’s reaction to having her in his arms. He had never gotten so hard or excited by a simple hug.

  Anna looked up at him and kissed his chin. “I like you, too, Blake. I can’t get involved either. I have to leave soon but I am so attracted to you. What should we do? Ignore it or go to my room and explore it?”

  Blake groaned, nipping her earlobe with his teeth. He moved her hair out of the way and placed soft little kisses on her neck and felt her body quiver in reaction. “My body says hell yeah, explore it. My head says wait, slow down, mister.”

  Anna gazed into his eyes and ran her soft hands up his chest, caressing his muscles. She nipped his bottom lip with her teeth and traced it with her tongue. His breathing got louder. This was a different side of her and he liked it. She was bold and sensual. She was pure temptation.

  He tilted her head back by grabbing her hair and took her mouth in a deep, urgent kiss. He explored her mouth with skillful eroticism. He loved the feel of her hands rubbing up and down along his chest and the way she leaned into his body as if craving him just as much as he craved her.

  “We are two consenting adults who can have sex for one night, right?” she whispered once they stopped kissing.

  “Okay, you talked me into it. Let’s go, honey.” He laughed, giving in easily, and walked her over to the passenger door. Right now all common sense flew out of his head and his body was like hell yeah. He opened the door for her and waited for her to get in before he closed it.

  She scooted close to him as he drove back to the motel and leaned her head on his shoulder. His heart was beating with excitement. He kept both hands on the steering wheel, afraid his hand would wander to her thighs and up her dress. He would slowly move her dress upward until he exposed her underwear. He would bet anything if he moved her panties to the side he would encounter a wet pussy. He groaned at that thought. His cock was about to explode out of his jeans and he hadn’t even touched her yet. Keep it together, Blake, he lectured himself. You are not some randy out of control teenager. You are a man in control. Always.

  “What?” she said, giving him a sexy smile and licking her lips with her sexy pink tongue. “Is something wrong, Blake?”

  “I’m excited as hell but I am trying not to drive like a maniac and get stopped for speeding. How can I explain to the officer, ‘I am driving so fast because I can’t wait to tear the clothes off my date.’”

  Anna laughed softly and pouted. “Poor baby. That would be awkward.”

  She reached down and rubbed his hard erection softly with her hand and he gasped out loud. He didn’t think it was possible for his cock to get any harder but it just did. It was ready to explode out of his jeans. “It’s only one more mile. Think you can make it?”

  “Not if you keep touching me like that.” He growled but she let out a soft sexy laugh. He felt that laugh in his heart and that was dangerous. His heart wasn’t supposed to be involved in this deal.

  “But Blake, I like touching your hard cock through your jeans. You’re a big man and I have been wondering if you’re big and thick all over. She pouted, looking at him through her lashes. “Will you taste good?”

  “You’re about to find out in about five seconds, baby,” he answered her back with a groan as her soft hands rubbed his jeans back and forth. He could tease her, too, the little minx. “I’m going to pull over to the side of the road and pull your dress up. Then I’m going to rip those panties off of you and fuck you in my truck. You’re letting the wild tiger out, baby, so be careful.”

  Anna let out a loud laugh but stopped rubbing him. “What if the highway patrol officer shines his handy dandy flashlight and catches us?”

  “Then he’ll get an eyeful but I won’t stop until I finish,” he warned her truthfully. He stepped on the gas pedal just a little more. Damn he was excited now.

  She put her hands up in surrender and winked at him. “Okay no hands, tiger, is that better?”

  Blake let out a joyful laugh. He could really get to like Anna. “Hell no, baby, but I might just make it inside your room. Maybe.”

  Chapter 5

  Anna was nervous but excited when they finally arrived to her room. She had been instantly attracted to this man since the moment she had laid eyes on him but she had never expected for this to happen. The desire she felt sweeping through her body felt like an uncontrollable fire raging through her system. She opened the motel room, glad she had left the small lamp next to the bed on. She felt Blake behind her but she didn’t look at him yet. She wanted this night to be a good memory for the long lonely nights she had ahead of her. She slipped off her heels and took off her sweater. She turned toward him and saw his eyes widen. They went directly to her breasts and the low cut of the dress that showed off her deep cleavage and the lace edge of her black bra. His eyes were glittering with desire as his eyes devoured every inch of her full breasts.

  “Thank God you kept that sweater on during dinner otherwise I would have thrown you on the table and had my desert there.”

  Anna giggled. “Unzip me?”

  “With pleasure.” Blake reached behind her and slowly unzipped her zipper, peeling off her dress and letting it fall to the floor. She stood in front of him with a black lacy bra. Her breasts looked like they were about to fall out if she sneezed. She had matching black panties. He had an eager look in his eyes as he stared at her, causing her stomach to tighten with excitement. She was pretty sure her panties were soaked after that scene in the truck.

  He slowly traced her cleavage with his fingers and caressed her nipple with his thumb. The tip got hard as a pebble and she let out a soft little sigh. He reached behind her and unclipped her bra, letting her breasts fall free from their trap. They w
ere firm and full.

  “Beautiful,” he whispered. He leaned in and swirled his tongue around the nipple and she grabbed on to his shoulder. When he started sucking her breasts hard, her legs got shaky and she wasn’t sure how long she could stand. She put her hands in his hair and gripped him tightly. He gave her other breast the same attention and she moaned loudly. He nipped the tip of her nipple with his teeth. “Oh yes, Blake.”

  “When I invited you out tonight I didn’t expect this so I didn’t bring any condoms with me,” he confessed softly, letting go of her breast. “I should have stopped at the drugstore but I was so anxious to see you naked I didn’t think.”

  She smiled. “It’s okay. I’m on birth control and I recently had a complete physical. I’m clean.”

  “I have never had sex without a condom so I know I am clean, too,” he promised.

  A second later she felt him pick her up in his arms and carry her over to the bed and put her down on it. She scooted to the middle. He stood over her just taking his time and looking at her.

  She leaned up on her elbows and watched him as he quickly undressed. His chest was free of hair and she smiled as she recalled her fantasy of him in the shower. Finally he was naked. His cock was long and thick and pointed directly at her. She crooked her finger, indicating for him to join her on the bed.

  He pulled her panties off and gasped when he saw her waxed pussy. She gave him a sultry look and opened her thighs wide. Her pussy was pink and moisture gathered between her legs. She was so turned on right now she felt like she was burning up inside. She was afraid she would come before they even got to the good stuff.