by Simply BWWM
No sooner were the words out of his mouth than a knock sounded at the door.
“Entrees on Trays,” a female voice yelled through the door.
Deena looked at him, arching an eyebrow.
“I thought you might want dinner, and I didn’t want to leave you, even if it was just to go next door to Whataburger.”
“Thanks,” she said, genuinely grateful that he’d been there when she woke up from the horrible nightmare.
He pulled on his shorts and a shirt, then closed the door to the bedroom behind him and went to answer the door. He was back quickly, the heavenly smell of fresh Thai food coming from the bag.
“I hope you’re hungry,” he said. “And I hope you like Thai. I guessed, but you look like a girl that likes a little spice.”
“I do,” she said. “I’ll get dressed and meet you at the table.”
He shook his head.
“Not a chance. You’re perfect just the way you are.”
“I’m naked.”
“Exactly.”
“I can’t.”
“Who’s going to see besides me?”
She sighed.
“No one.”
“Exactly.” He motioned with his head at the door that lead from the bedroom into the single suite. “Come on. We don’t want the food to get cold.”
Her nipples hardened under his gaze. When he reached out and pinched one playfully, she knew he had noticed.
“I like that,” he said. “When this is all over, I want to take you on vacation. Clothing optional, of course.”
“You’re ridiculous,” she laughed, but she knew he was serious.
She followed him into the dining room, excited to be the only one in the room naked, even though she felt a little shy about it.
“I’ve never been naked outside the bedroom,” she said when they sat down across from each other.
“It’s a good look on you. You’re perfection, soft in all the right places and beautiful.”
She smiled shyly, taking one of the boxes he slid her way without asking what it was and digging in. The chicken dish was served over rice, and the first bite was super spicy.
“Wow,” she said. “This is divine.”
“It’s Pad Kra Pao. The last time I was in Thailand, I developed a taste for it.”
He slid a drink her way, and she smiled, delighted.
“I love boba smoothies,” she said, drinking the sweet honeydew and closing her eyes. “I can’t believe you’ve been to Thailand. I’ve never been anywhere outside of Texas. Well, Louisiana, but that’s as far as I’ve gone.”
“You haven’t?”
“No. My dad was a cop and had five kids. We didn’t really have a lot of extra money at the end of the day.”
“What did you mom do? Career-wise, I mean.”
“She stayed home and took care of us. That’s a job in itself, really.”
“I bet. Where is she now?”
“After my dad was killed in the line of duty, she moved in with my sister Alannah to help raise her grandchildren. They live in Louisiana.”
“What about your other siblings?”
“My sister lives in Abilene. I have a brother who moved to Houston and another brother who lives near Alannah. I’m the youngest, and I was just getting out of beauty school when it happened, so everyone kind of scattered.”
“Beauty school?”
“I’m a hairdresser.” She laughed. “You looked shocked.”
“I’m a little surprised.”
“What did you think I did for a living?”
“I had no idea, honestly. I guess I thought you worked in an office like everyone else around here.”
“No way. That’s not the life for me. I’m an artist. I make people look good. They walk in looking a hot mess, and they walk out snatched.”
“Snatched?”
“You know, looking fly.”
“You mean on fleek?”
She scowled at him.
“No one says that anymore,” she laughed. “That’s so two years ago.”
“It’s hard to keep up. I used to be cool, but then I hit thirty and it’s all downhill from there.”
“You’re crazy,” she laughed. “How old are you now?”
“Thirty-two.”
“You’re still cool,” she teased.
“Maybe I shouldn’t ask this, but I feel like we should get to know each other. You know, since we’re running for our lives together and all that.”
“I’m twenty-five,” she said warmly. “Aside from the whole ‘running from a murderer’ thing, this has been one of my best years.”
“Why’s that?”
“It’s not just one thing. I don’t know how to explain it. It just feels like everything I’ve worked hard for is finally falling into place, and things are going really good in my life.”
“Except all this.”
“This right here is good,” she said, ducking her head when she smiled. “I’m sorry. I’m being a little forward.”
“I like you when you’re forward.”
“Thanks. What I mean is that right now is good. It’s the world out there that scares the shit out of me. I don’t know who I can trust, and I know I’m going to be scared of my own shadow until this guy is caught. I don’t even want to think about what’s going to happen. Are they going to send someone else after us when this guy is caught?”
“Not for you. The only thing you’ve done is witness him kill someone. Once he’s caught, that’s it. You don’t know who he is or why he killed anyone, so you’re not a threat to them.”
“And what about you?”
“I don’t know. I don’t think they’re going to just give up on me. But I’m more concerned about you.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re only in this because of me.”
“You didn’t ask to be almost murdered.”
“No, but I knew what I was getting into when I said no. I pissed off some important people for my morals, and now it’s coming back to bite me in the ass. That has nothing to do with you, and I’m not going to rest until you’re safe. After that, I can take off and hide out until things blow over or until the people behind this are caught.”
“Why don’t you just do that now?”
“I was planning on it. I was checking out the property, and the more I thought about it, the more I thought I needed to get away. I was booking my ticket online when I realized I’d left my wallet in the car. I never do that, but I’ve been so distracted by everything. I went to the door and saw the man at my car and moved into the shadows. Then, the murderer showed up, and everything changed in an instant. Now, I can’t just run away. It wouldn’t be right. You deserve better.”
His words touched her, his bravery and selflessness so different than any man she’d ever met. He was the kind of man she’d been wanting to meet for ages, but being around him was dangerous, and she knew that he was right. Once she was out of danger, the best thing he could do would be to leave so that she wasn’t in harm’s way anymore.
“Try not to think about it,” he said after she was quiet for a long time. “It will be days before they figure out where we are, if they ever do. We’re safe right now. It’s safe to relax, I promise.”
“Are you sure?”
“Have I been wrong yet?”
“I guess not,” she said, laughing in spite of herself. “I mean, I don’t really know if you’ve been wrong yet.”
He smiled, finishing the last of his meal and taking her empty plate to the trash.
“I’m almost never wrong.”
“That doesn’t mean that you’re always right,” she shot back, enjoying the playful banter.
“You’re right.”
“I like hearing that.”
“I’ve learned in my brief time on this earth that it is always best to be wrong when a woman is right.” He leaned on the edge of the table right next to where she sat, smiling down at her and reaching out to cup her cheek. “Let’s take
a shower.”
“I’ve already had a shower.”
His hand trailed down her neck, over her collarbone and down the middle of her chest. Her nipples hardened in response, and the heat between her legs rose again from the gentlest touch.
“You did,” he agreed. “But you haven’t showered with me yet.”
His meaning was more than clear, and when he held out his hand, she took it and let him lead her to the bedroom and into the bathroom. There might be a killer on their trail, but for now, she had more important things on her mind.
Chapter8
The late afternoon sun shone through the narrow, high window that ran along one wall of the bathroom. Near the ceiling, it was too high up to see through, but it let in more than enough light to make the room feel warm and cozy. The toilet was in a separate space, and the shower area featured a large sink with a huge mirror and a shower with a heated lamp on a timer.
It was already one of her favorite features of the hotel room, but now that she could enjoy the view from both sides, watching Jake in the mirror, she decided that it was her absolute favorite. He looked good from head to toe, and this was the first time she’d had the opportunity to really ogle the gorgeous, muscled body that was Jake Berrington.
He caught her checking out his reflection and arched an eyebrow at her before turning in a circle and letting her take a long, unimpeded look. When he was facing her again, he winked at her and opened the shower door. Jake turned the water on, watching her as he did. When her body responded to a chill passing through her, he smiled.
“I’d ask if you’re cold, but I know that’s not it,” he chuckled, stepping out of her way and letting her get into the shower ahead of him.
She stepped into the warm spray, sighing at the heat that soaked into her skin and warmed her to her core. She arched her back when Jake took his place behind her, rubbing against his erection and letting him know that she was already very ready for him. Sitting naked through dinner the way she had kept her on the edge of arousal, and she couldn’t help but think that this had been his plan all along. It had been all she could do to finish her meal. She wanted him that bad.
He leaned over, his lips inches from her ear, his hard length against her wet thighs.
“I want to take you to a tropical beach somewhere and hide all your clothes,” he said into her ear.
She shuddered in response, and he kissed her neck. Lazily trailing his way from just below her ear to her shoulder and back again, he took his time, in no hurry to end this moment.
“If you’re trying to drive me insane, it’s working,” she joked.
“Nothing like that,” he crooned. “Just savoring every minute with you. Have I told you how beautiful you are?”
“Yes, but a woman can never hear it too much.”
“That’s true. You’re gorgeous. I could look at you all day and never have enough.”
“Just look?”
“Of course not. But I like to start with my eyes and slowly work my way up.”
He was running his hands up and down her torso as he spoke, her skin slick with the water streaming down her curvy body. He stopped at her hips, pausing for a moment as she tensed in anticipation, then working his way up again. He played with her breasts, still kissing along her neck and shoulder.
Deena was writhing beneath his touch, moaning as he toyed with her.
His hand reached around her, and his hand found the heat between her legs.
Finally, she thought, opening her legs to him. She bent forward and pushed back, rubbing herself against him. Her body ached to feel him inside her, and her need grew until she was sure that she wouldn’t be able to handle his teasing much longer. Gently pinching the tiny nub between her folds, he toyed with her, taking his sweet time like he had before and ignoring her silent pleas to hurry.
“I want to feel you inside me,” she begged. “I can’t wait anymore.”
“I bet you can,” he teased.
“Please, don’t make me.”
He chuckled, her anguish delighting him. She could tell that he enjoyed teasing, and his ability to maintain his composure while she struggled was maddening. She decided then and there that she would hold him to that tropical vacation on some distant island, and she would make it her mission to drive him mad with need until he begged her for mercy.
She smiled to herself at the thought.
“You’re positively purring,” Jake said from behind her.
“I have plans for you,” she said.
“I can’t wait.”
“You’re going to have to.”
He laughed, a rich, hearty sound that filled her heart to the brim. She was falling for this man, and she was falling hard. That was bad news when she knew that their time together would be short, but she would deal with that when the time came. For now, she was happier than she’d ever been, and she wasn’t going to let reality intrude on her happiness.
She wiggled against him, her round ass rubbing against his rigid cock suggestively. He was still playing with her, and she could already feel the heat of another looming orgasm. She knew what he was doing.
Wrapping her finger around the bar in the wall that was meant to hold washcloths, she braced herself, arching her back with need with his free hand came around her and grabbed her breasts. He pulled them together so that his large hand held both nipples, his fingers digging into her flesh and setting her body on fire.
“I like it rough,” she breathed, and he squeezed her breasts a little harder until she moaned.
She was on the edge now, trying to hold onto her sanity. When he finally slid into her, he buried himself into her with one hard thrust, then quickly moved against her in quick, deep movements. He held her tight, slamming into her, his hand between her legs holding her still against his thrusts.
Each thrust brought her closer to orgasm, the feel of his large hands on her body delighting her senses. His strong arms were holding her now, only the tips of her toes touching the ground.
He held her there, driving into her until she cried out and her body began convulsing around him. He was relentless, moving faster and harder, bringing more pleasure than she could handle and taking more. When he went rigid, then buried his face in her neck, she knew he’d found his satisfaction. She tensed around him, and his moans grew louder. He shuddered, his orgasm as powerful as hers. They rode the pleasure together, breath coming in quick gasps, hearts racing and water flowing over their bodies.
When Jake gently set her down and slid out of her body, she ached with the emptiness he left behind. Her legs trembled, but he held her tight. She turned, wrapping her arms around him and holding him against her so that there was no space between them. They stood like that for a long time, just letting the warm water rinse away everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours and enjoying the feel of their wet, satisfied bodies against each other.
The water turned off too soon, and she found herself standing on a plush bath mat while Jake gently dried her from head to toe. Watching him take his time on every inch of her body, she wanted him again, but now was not the time. They were both so exhausted, and twice in one day was enough. When this was over, she was taking him up on his offer to take her on a real date, and she wouldn’t let him out of bed until she’d had her fill. But for now, what they’d shared was going to have to be enough.
His movements were slow as he moved from one side of her body to the other, her skin twitching beneath his touch. He went in front of her again, bending down to inspect his work. Deena laughed softly when he kissed her first between her legs, then planted a tender kiss on each of her breasts. He dropped the towel and reached out to cup her cheek, tilting her chin so that their eyes met.
“Goddess,” he said, as if the one word said everything he wanted to say.
When they left the bathroom, neither of them got dressed. Deena was the first to slip into bed, while Jake checked the locks once more. Satisfied that they were as safe as they were going to
be, he crawled into bed with Deena.
He pulled her against his naked body, wrapping them both in the warm blankets and sighing.
“That was amazing,” she said. She snuggled against him. “I’m going to sleep for days after that.”
He laughed, but he didn’t say anything. His arms were tight around her, and he was facing the door to the bedroom. Even with his guard down, he was still vigilant, and for some reason, that made Deena feel safer than she had in what felt like an eternity. This man would protect her no matter what, and she had no doubt that he would die to save her life. His devotion humbled her, and she vowed in that moment never to settle for anything less than what she deserved. He was practically a stranger, yet he was treating her better than any man had ever treated her before.
She knew that Jake would probably go back to his life once this was over and done, but that didn’t mean that this time with him hadn’t changed everything for her. She would never again accept the mediocrity that was Holt and men like him. There would never be the excuse of a one-night stand, or that they were friends with benefits and nothing more. Because none of that mattered; at least, it shouldn’t matter. She knew that now. She’d been held by a real man, and she was never going back.
“Why did you choose a high-end, weekly hotel instead of something a little less conspicuous?” she asked. “I mean, we’re right on Stemmons Freeway, in the middle of everything in Market Center. How is this safe?”
“They’re going to be looking for us in cheaper places that are known to look the other way when cash is involved. Those same clerks that don’t mind taking a little money to let two people on the run rent a room don’t mind taking a little money to give us up. It’s win-win for them. Here, there are so many people that come through, and the clerk was so busy, he didn’t even look at me.
If someone showed him my picture, he wouldn’t be able to place me, and he likely wouldn’t put in any effort. He would assume that no one here would be a criminal, and since the name won’t ring a bell, he’ll have no reaction.”
“It’s like we’re hiding in plain sight.”
“Exactly. It’s not always the best course of action, but in this case, I feel like it is. We’re right by I-35 and right in the middle of heavy traffic. Even if we escape on foot, they’re not likely to be able to keep up with us. This is the smartest place to be for now.”
