Salvage

by Tiffany Aleman

  For long seconds, our eyes search each other’s faces until I see some form of acceptance across his features. The tense lines around his eyes and jaw eases. I can tell that some of what I’ve said is getting through to him.

  “I don’t want to sound all girly, but that is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

  “It’s the truth, Brayden.” I smile at him.

  His gaze flicks between my eyes and my lips. Indecision mars his features. Although I’m dying to kiss him again, I’m not sure if this is the right moment for us. He’s too emotional and so am I. If or when we cross that bridge, I want it to be because it’s what is right for us. Just as I’m about to shake my head no, we both burst into laughter as Jason Derulo’s Talk Dirty blares from the speakers.

  It’s such a strange contrast to the moment before. One minute he’s an emotional wreck and the next he’s attempting to be playful. I’ll take it as long as I can see him smile again.

  Brayden arches a brow playfully and with me still in his arms, he begins to move to the music. I follow his lead and man can he dance. My head falls back in laughter as he mimics the words of the song. When I begin to rap 2 Chainz part, Brayden looks at me in surprise. I shrug my shoulders and when 2 Chainz gets to the part talking about ‘big booties’, feeling brave, I reach around Brayden and grab a handful of his delectable ass. Shock registers on his face as I back away from him laughing a bellyaching laugh. Tears form in my eyes from laughing so hard. I watch as he walks over to my iPod dock and turns down my music.

  “Did you just grab my ass?” he smirks.

  I wave my arm out in a sweeping gesture towards him. “Well, he was talking about big asses.” I laugh.

  “Are you trying to say I have a big ass?” His smirk grows wider until it’s a full-blown smile.

  I pinch my fingers together leaving a little space between the two. “Maybe a little.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” he says as he crosses his arms over his chest.

  “You do that.” I wink.

  He nods and then changes the subject. “I didn’t know you rapped.” He laughs at me in jest.

  I shrug while wiping away the tears with the heels of my hands. “What can I say, I’m a sucker for 2 Chainz.”

  “I think he’d be proud of your rendition.”

  I turn around to empty out my forgotten dirty water and while I’m dumping it down the sink, I can sense he’s behind me before I feel him. “I like you like this,” he says as he cages me in with his arms, his back pressed against mine.

  “Like what?” I ask, not daring to turn around.

  “So carefree.” His nose touches my neck before his lips find purchase on my exposed shoulder.

  “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Brayden.” I whimper. Although the sound is soft to me, it echoes throughout the kitchen.

  He nods before kissing up my neck. “I know and I can’t wait to discover what else you keep hidden.”

  “What am I? An expedition that you’re digging up?”

  “Mmmhmm… and in my diggings I’ve found a very rare diamond that I plan on keeping,” he murmurs placing a kiss right behind my ear.

  “What if you’re not allowed to keep the diamond?” I mutter. I clench my teeth to keep from groaning out loud.

  “You’re the diamond, Karmen. I found you, so I get to keep you.” He breathes deep and the sound floods my body with desire. On its own accord, my body leans back against his, the bulge in his pants startles me, but I don’t move away. “Plus I can be pretty persuasive,” he groans in my ear as he nudges my backside with his erection. “Go out with me tonight.”

  “I can’t.” My breaths come out in pants as he tortures my heated skin with his soft, warm lips, and I’m powerless to keep from grinding against him.

  “Please?” One of his hands lands on my hips, immobilizing my movements as he takes control from behind me. The tips of his fingers slide underneath my shirt, his large hand spreads across my stomach and I moan from the sensations. “You know you want to.”

  Hypnotized by his voice and everything he’s doing to me I nod in agreement. “Come out with me,” I ask.

  “I asked you first.” He runs the tip of his tongue from my ear down my neck. Cool air attacks my skin and it takes everything in me to hold myself upright.

  “Come out with me…Tammy…oohhhh.” I moan. “And Chelsea,” I add eventually.

  “Is this a girls’ night?” he asks.

  Vigorously, I nod my head. “But you can invite Drew and I’ll see if Tammy will invite Ray.”

  His grip on my stomach tightens as he pulls me in tighter into his body. “Who’s Ray?” He growls in my ear before nipping the outer shell.

  Every thought after that little move leaves me. I’m a jumbled, quivering mess of need, desire, and want. I can’t think. I can’t speak. I can’t hear. I’m lost to the sensations that wreak havoc on my body. My heart thuds in my ears. My blood surges through my veins at unthinkable speeds. I can’t seem to catch my breath.

  “Karmen?” Brayden’s voice barely penetrates my lust induced fog.

  “Hmm?”

  “Who’s Ray?”

  “Ray? He’s uh…Tammy’s boyfriend.”

  “Good. Now, do you want me, babe?” His voice is one of pure seduction. Deep and gravely.

  “Yes.” The word passes my lips before I even have a chance to think about what he’s said.

  His only response is to chuckle. “In time, my dear.” Those are his parting words as he backs away from me.

  I drop down to my elbows on the edge of the sink and take some much needed deep breaths. When I finally feel myself gaining back some control over my traitorous body he shouts from across the apartment. “You should get ready since we’re going out tonight.”

  Bastard.

  My jaw just about hit the floor when Karmen walked out of her room. Normally, she’s so casual, except at work where she dresses like she owns the damn place. I love watching the way her skirts mold to the curves of her ass and the way her shirts fit those perfect tits just right. And fuck me, the heels that normally adorn her feet makes me want to drop to my knees in praise for whoever came up with the concept. But right now, I could take her on top of the bar in front of everyone and not give a damn what anyone would have to say. In those little cut-off jean shorts, her toned legs look like they go on for miles. The green sleeveless shirt, droops in the back, showing quite a bit of skin while the front fits perfectly over her generous tits with only a hint of cleavage on display. Make-up isn’t caked on her face, hiding all of her natural features. Her long brown hair, she left down in its natural wavy state. Never have I seen a more beautiful woman in all of my life.

  “I would probably wipe right here.” Drew points at a little spot on his chin. I reach up to wipe at the spot he just pointed out but nothing is there. I turn to where he sits next to me at the bar and punch him in his arm.

  “Ow…” He rubs at the spot. “What the hell was that for?” he laughs.

  “For you making me look like an idiot.”

  He laughs even harder at my response. With a shake of his head he replies, “Trust me, you don’t need any help from me in that department.”

  I turn a scowl in his direction and he leans away from me. “I was only stating a fact,” he says.

  I turn back to the girls and Drew follows my lead. Karmen has her head tossed back in laughter, a beer in one hand. Her eyes are alight with life. A faint red hue tints her cheeks. I can’t take my eyes off of her. Tammy says something and gestures with her hands animatedly and Chelsea bursts into laughter too. When Tammy showed up alone, she told Karmen that Ray couldn’t make it, something about going over some numbers.

  “I’m surprised they’re all getting along so well,” Drew says and it pulls my attention back to him.

  “I knew it wasn’t going to be a problem.” I shrug and take a pull off my beer. “Chelsea’s great and easy to get along with and so are Karmen and Tammy. They’
re all a lot alike.”

  He smiles and nods. “Yeah, but she’s associated with me. And we all know how I treated Karmen. I’m surprised she’s even willing to be around me at all.”

  I tap the bar with my hand and reply, “We’re friends. Karmen and I. She understands that you’re a part of my life. Honestly, I’m surprised Tammy doesn’t have us both by the balls right now while reading us the riot act. She has every right, too. But because Karmen and I are attempting this friend thing, Tammy’s being supportive.”

  “Attempting?” Drew asks with raised eyebrows. “You and I both know you two aren’t going to end as friends.”

  “She doesn’t trust me, and she has every right not to.”

  “So that’s it? You’re not going to try harder?” Drew asks incredulously.

  I smirk at him. “I never said that. But I can’t afford to push her away either. She’s all I have.”

  “You know I’m always here for you, man.” Drew claps me on the shoulder and I appreciate the sentiment.

  “Yeah, but where you have a life to share with someone, I don’t. You need to be there for your wife. She’s your number one priority, not me and my problems.”

  “Speaking of my priority,” Drew says draining the rest of his beer. “She’s looking too damn sexy to be standing alone.” He gets up, finishes off his beer and sets the bottle on the bar top. “Let’s go,” he says, nodding towards where the ladies stand, huddled near the makeshift dance floor.

  I smile and finish my beer.

  I slide my hands in my pockets to keep from reaching out to her. Karmen’s melodic laugh is like a salve to my soul, slowly healing each wound that’s been torn open. I lean down and murmur in her ear, “Are you having fun?”

  She looks up at me, a smile graces her beautiful face. “Very much.” Karmen links her arm through mine and leans into me. “You and Drew looked like y’all were having some sort of male bonding...” She laughs in jest.

  I shrug at her assumption. “Don’t you know Drew and I have a secret bromance?” I wink.

  “Oh I’ve known for a long time,” she answers.

  “Brayden, so nice of you to let me have my husband back?” Chelsea jokes.

  Karmen hides her face behind my arm, and I can feel the rise and fall of her shoulders as she laughs silently.

  “You know this whole married thing between the two of you really isn’t working for me,” I reply with a grin on my face.

  Chelsea touches my arm and gives me sympathetic eyes. “I’m so sorry. You can have him on the weekends.”

  “Now hold on one damn second.” Drew steps between the two of us and looks from me to his wife. “If you agree to this, Chels, I want it on paper.”

  Tammy laughs and adds, “Like a custody agreement.”

  Karmen intervenes. “Oh hell no. It’s bad enough I’m already living with one boy that I work with. There’s no way I can handle two.”

  I pull back and look at her in mock hurt. My hand clutches at my chest. “You don’t like living with me? And here I thought we got along great at work? I thought you liked waiting for me next to my office?” Even though I’m joking, I’m really interested to see what her answer will be.

  She purses her lips and squints at me as if she really has to think about her answer. “Well, I mean you do leave empty boxes of cereal in the pantry and you walk around the apartment in your boxers. And as far as work goes, I guess I like you being there and sitting in your comfy office chair.” A slow smile spreads across her face. “But I guess I’ll keep you.”

  “I haven’t heard you complain about him being in his boxers,” Tammy says off-handedly. My attention snaps to Karmen whose eyes are narrowed into slits as she stares daggers at her best friend. A red hue creeps up her neck and onto her cheeks in a blush, and I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face.

  Interesting.

  I tilt my head to the side as I stare down at her. “Well, well, well,” I taunt. “What a turn of events.”

  “Thanks a lot, Tammy,” Karmen hisses refusing to meet my stare.

  Tammy winks at her best friend and raises her drink in the air. “I’m just doing my best friend duties.”

  “Best friend my ass,” Karmen mumbles under her breath and I chuckle.

  “Well now that that has been put out there,” Chelsea starts, “Why don’t we go get another drink, ladies?”

  When Karmen attempts to disengage herself from me, I grab hold of her wrist, leaning down towards her ear, and speak so only she can hear, “Maybe I should start walking around in my birthday suit if you like me in my boxers so much.”

  She looks up at me over her shoulder, her lower lip caught between her teeth. “That works for me.” My eyes go wide in shock at her reply. “I was planning on burning your briefs anyway.” A wicked grin lifts her lips.

  Karmen follows after the girls, her wrist slipping free from my grasp. All I can do is stand here and stare at her.

  Drew comes up beside me and chuckles. “What the fuck was that?”

  Our earlier encounter from the kitchen comes to mind. Her groans and whimpers echo in my ears. I can still feel the way she had ground her ass against my cock. The way she admitted she wanted me.

  Well played Karmen, well played.

  I look to Drew and ask, “Did you hear what she said?”

  “Something about burning your briefs.” He shakes his head. “Do you need to come and stay with me, man? I’m afraid she might tie you up in your sleep or something, then I’ll never see or hear from you again.”

  “Naw, I’m alright. But I’d love for her to tie me up.” I laugh.

  He chuckles and walks off towards the bar. He turns back to me and asks. “You want a beer?”

  “Sure.”

  My eyes stay trained on Karmen for a while longer. Even when Drew returns, I’m still staring at her. Many images play out like erotic scenes in my head. He nudges me with his elbow to gain my attention. He hands me my drink, and as I take a long pull from the bottle Drew’s words interrupt my moment.

  “Dude, you are so screwed.”

  “You have no idea,” I groan.

  “You’re watching her like some creep,” he jokes.

  “Fuck off. I’m not a creep.”

  “In all seriousness, I’ve never seen you look at another girl like you look at her.”

  “She’s really cool man and she’s not a girl, she’s a woman. But she’s really laid back. I like her, a lot.”

  “I figured as much.”

  I shrug. “With her it’s different. I don’t know. When we sit around the apartment and watch TV, it’s comfortable. We cook together and it’s fun. She doesn’t bitch and complain about petty shit, like if I leave my clothes in the dryer or if I kick off my shoes and socks in the living room and forget to pick them up. We’ll sit around and read for hours. I don’t feel like we have to be doing something or talking to enjoy each other. We can sit there and play a game of cards, and it’s so damn funny how competitive she gets. It’s kind of like how you and Chelsea are. You know what I mean?”

  Drew stares at me for a second before he nods. “I get it. And on the plus side she wants to burn your underwear so that must mean she likes your body.”

  “Yeah. If all else fails and I can’t win her over with my charm at least I have my abs going for me.” I chuckle.

  Karmen leans on her elbow against the edge of the bar, her gaze finds mine, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

  “What in the hell is that look she’s sending you?” Drew asks from beside me, curious.

  “I have no clue, but I think I want to find out.”

  The sexual tension between us this past month has been building and building. I’m at my breaking point. Little touches here and there are no longer enough. I’m surrounded by her smell, her voice, her laughter, at home and at work. Karmen’s under my skin in the best way possible, and I know for damn sure I’m under hers, too. I’m tired of the way she pulls away every time I want to take it
just a little bit further. And what makes me want her even more is the knowledge that she wants me just as much. I’ve jerked off more in these past few weeks than I ever did as a hormonal teenage boy. The air sizzles with an invisible current, and eventually someone is going to get shocked. Whether it’s her or me is yet to be determined.

  My eyes blink open as my head lolls back and forth. Pressed beneath my cheek is something hard and firm, yet soft and warm. I feel weightless like I’m floating. One of my hands is curled underneath my cheek while my other arm hangs loosely by my side.