by WL Knightly
Her head lolled to the side as his lips moved across her neck. “Would you?”
“I already do, just thinking about it.” He cupped her breasts and pinched her tight nipples as she moved her ass against him.
She spun around and kissed him, flattening her hands on his chest and then nudging him back on the bed. Corey sat and laid back, pulling her along with him. She fell astride his hips and then reached down to tug up his shirt, but he was already working on it.
Once his shirt was on the floor, he lifted hers up and pulled it over her messy blond ponytail. “I don’t ever want to be without you,” he said.
“Likewise. I wish I’d met you sooner, and in a way, I feel like I have known you my whole life. It’s not often I’ve found anyone I could share myself with.”
He reached down and slipped her shorts off of her bottom, and she moved off of him long enough to lose them as he kicked off his shoes.
Her long, slim fingers moved down to undo his pants, and he lifted up, bringing her with him as he shrugged out of them. “We should get married,” he blurted.
She looked up from his bare chest to meet his eyes. “Are you serious?”
“Is it a horrible idea?” Suddenly, he wasn’t so sure if that was what she’d want.
But then she shook her head, and her eyes widened. “No, I’m sorry. Of course, I want to. I just didn’t want you to be joking or just saying it in the moment.”
He laughed nervously and then groaned. “No, I’m sorry. I suck at proposals. I should have done it all differently. Just forget I said anything, and I’ll do it over later.” He felt like such a fucking idiot.
“No, you don’t! I loved it. It was perfect. And yes. I think we should. I mean,” she rolled her eyes, “I will marry you.” They both laughed out, and he sat up, holding her close to cradle her and kiss her.
She pulled her lips away and cupped his face in her hands. “I suck at accepting proposals.”
“Well, that just means we are perfect for one another, and before you get any ideas, you don’t get a do-over either.” He leaned in and kissed her as their bodies joined.
She moved up and down on his cock and stared deep into his eyes. “I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you too.” He closed his eyes and let their passion carry him away.
Chapter 23
Darek
Darek was glad that his Wednesday was coming to an end, and with the DA still looking into the case, he and Lizzy had actually had a bit of a break. It couldn’t have come at a better time, and as he looked at his phone for the time, he realized he still had to tell Lizzy and Max and tell the chief he was going to take a day off.
He cleared his throat and then got their attention. “Hey, you two, I’m going to be gone Friday. I’m leaving tomorrow night to go out of town.”
Lizzy turned her head and frowned. “Where are you going?”
He knew that his answer was going to seem like a dig, and he didn’t care. “I’ve got to take some personal time to clear my head.” He tried to keep a straight face and not sound sarcastic, but he couldn’t think of any other excuse that she wouldn’t ask him a million questions about.
Instead of a snappy comeback, she gave a curt nod and turned back to her work. “Well, I hope you have fun wherever you’re going.”
“Where are you going?”
“New Orleans. I have a friend there. He just opened up a restaurant, and I’ve wanted to try it. I thought a little break would do me some good.”
Lizzy moved her chair back and grabbed her handbag and briefcase. “It should. I know my break really helped me to put things into perspective.” She got to her feet.
“Ouch!” said Max. “I felt that one myself.”
Lizzy chuckled and then got up and walked out without another word.
As she made her exit, Darek looked at the time. “I may cut out too, but, um, hey.” He didn’t know how he was going to broach the subject of Mia, but he knew it had to be done. “Could we talk, man?”
Max laughed. “Are you going to tell me what’s really going on in New Orleans?”
“It’s just a trip, man. I’m more concerned about you.”
Max got up from his desk, and as he gathered his things to leave, he gave Darek a puzzled look. “What in the world for?”
“Look, I went to that sushi place and saw you there with that woman.” He didn’t think he’d make a point of letting him know he knew her as well as he did.
“I know she’s a little young, but we’re having fun, and she doesn’t have any parents that are going to be breathing down my neck.”
“Did she tell you she’s single?”
“Why, do you happen to know she’s not?”
“As a matter of fact, she’s pretty close to someone we know. Someone I don’t think you’d want to cross unless you’ve got a death wish.” Darek was certain he knew Bay “The Slayer” Collins.
“You mean The Slayer? That’s her sister’s husband. Why would he give a shit if I date his sister-in-law?”
He really didn’t know what to say to that. Mia wasn’t Bay’s wife, and while he was sure that Lila Collins had no idea her husband and sister were messing around, he didn’t know if anyone else was supposed to know either. “He might not like you dating her. He’s pretty possessive and protective.”
“She’s his boss, and from what she’s told me, she’s free to do whatever she wants. Besides, the sex is amazing. She’s so little I can pick her up and place her right on my cock, and she likes to be manhandled.” He smiled as if he’d done that a time or two.
Darek shook his head. He hated to hear that things had already gotten that deep between them. “Just be careful, man. She’s barely legal.”
He laughed. “No worries, man. I treat her like a little kitten, pet her soft and gentle.” He clapped Darek on the back.
He wondered if Bay already knew all about her and Max because there wasn’t much the man missed. He was surprised that he didn’t have a tracking device on the girl, who he had seemed really irritated with over her long lunches.
Darek didn’t have more to say, and Max headed out.
He debated all the way out to his car and halfway home what he should do about the situation, but there wasn’t anything. Max had lost his damned mind, and he knew if Bay found out that he knew and didn’t tell him, things could be bad for him. But it wasn’t the first time he’d kept things from Bay, and it wouldn’t be the last. This was out of his control.
He spent the other half of his trip thinking about Raven. He hadn’t told her he was leaving town yet, and with all that was going on, he hated to leave her all alone.
By the time he pulled up to his house, he had decided to tell her to stay at his house while he was gone or suggest she go to a friend’s.
He shut off his car, and when he walked up to the door, Raven opened it and walked away to the kitchen as he went inside.
“I haven’t started dinner. I wanted to have something ready, but I didn’t get off in time.”
“It’s okay,” he said, walking into the room behind her. “We’ll send out for something.”
She turned from the cabinet and leaned back against the counter. “That sounds good.”
“I have something I need to talk to you about,” he said, closing the distance between them. He brushed a stray hair behind her ears and noticed how much longer her hair had gotten in the short time he’d known her. It used to be level with her chin, but now it hung a good two inches longer, brushing her shoulder. She was still just as breathtaking, and he wondered how long the two would continue to play house. What would she do while he was gone?
“You say that like it’s bad news. If this is about me staying too long, it’s okay. I understand if you want me to go back home.”
She had been getting very comfortable there, and he had to admit, he loved having a woman in the house again, especially one who did everything Megan didn’t. “No, that’s not it. I like having you here. I admi
t I think we’ve kind of blown that whole just friends thing out of the water, but I think we’re okay.”
“Yeah, totally. I still have no expectations, Darek. I mean, it’s nice to fall into a comfortable role, but I don’t expect anything from you.”
He was glad to hear that she wasn’t falling in love with him, and while he had to admit he cared for her something fierce, he was pretty sure that it would take a lot more to change his feelings about Lizzy. Even though she had really upset him with the interrogation, knowing he still loved and wanted her after that only strengthened his position on how bad he had it for her.
For now, all he could do was focus on the beauty in front of him; the one that didn’t make him crazy, but instead, was as easy as breathing. “I care about you, and I don’t mind you staying. But that’s not what I needed to talk about.” He walked over to the fridge and took out the lemonade. “Want some?” She answered with a nod, and he kept on talking. “I’ve got to go out of town tomorrow, and with you staying, I didn’t want you to feel like you have to leave, but you might want to stay with a friend instead of here alone.”
Her face fell as she walked over to join him at the small kitchen table. “Where are you going?”
Darek poured two glasses. “I have a meeting in New Orleans.” He hoped she didn’t ask too many more questions about what the meeting was about.
“Oh, is it work related? For that case?”
“No, it’s about a different case.”
“Oh. I see. I’m so jealous.” She took a sip of her drink and looked out the window at the setting sun. “I’ve heard it’s amazing there. The food, the culture. I’ve always wanted to go.” She turned and looked at him with hopeful eyes.
He smiled, knowing she wanted to be asked. “I’m not allowed to bring anyone along to the meeting, and you’d be bored.”
“Bored in New Orleans?” She laughed like he was silly. “It’s okay. I get it. It’s a lot like we’re serious or something, and the trip would be too much.”
He thought about Bay bringing Mia, and surely, others were going to have someone travel with them. “What if I asked you to come on one condition?”
She gave him a sideward glance. “That’s going to depend on the condition, of course.” She rolled her eyes. “What is it?”
“Well, for one, I’m leaving tomorrow and taking Friday off. Is your boss even going to let you go?”
“I’m good; I have time to take. I earned another sick day.” She gave him a pleading look. “Tell me what the stipulation is.” She reached over and stroked his knee, inching her way up his thigh.
“That while I’m at the meeting, you stay at the hotel and wait for me. I don’t want you wandering around while we’re there.”
“I have to stay locked up the whole time?” She pulled her hand away, and Darek took it, pulling her close.
“No, not the whole time. We’ll go have a nice dinner and see the sights through the weekend, but I want you to wait on me.”
“Why, Darek Blake, that sounds nearly romantic,” she said in her best fake southern accent. “But you have a deal. I’d have more fun with you anyway.”
“Then, you might want to call your boss and pack a bag. We have an afternoon flight tomorrow, and when we land, I’ll take you out for a jambalaya dinner.”
“Oh, a romantic trip and a dinner date? Aren’t I the lucky girl?” She put her hand back where it had been and wasted no time going higher to stroke his erection through his pants. He reached forward to pull her closer and then stood to scoop her up into his arms.
He carried her to the bed and deposited her there. Then he took a moment to strip off his clothes while she did the same. They watched each other the entire time, and Darek grabbed her ankles, pulling her closer, hitching them up over his shoulders as she moved forward to grind against him.
He smiled down at her, her hungry eyes a plea for him to give her what she really wanted, which wasn’t all the hearts and feels bullshit or their daily game of house. He buried his cock in one thrust, and she closed her eyes, moaning and wincing until she settled around him, her sweet flower spreading for him, accommodating his girth.
She turned to her side, bringing her leg up to rest on his chest. He leaned into it, thrusting harder and faster. “That’s it, the spot. Don’t stop!” Her voice grew more anxious with each word. He loved to edge her, and when he pulled back, he slowed his pace for a moment. “No, please.” She turned her eyes up to him and smiled. “It feels too good, and I’m so close.”
He pulled back, turned her over onto her stomach, and reached around to play with her clit as he thrust hard from behind and pounded her sweet spot.
After he brought her over the edge, he continued fucking her hard and fast until his own release was ready. He pulled out and shot it across her gorgeous round ass, and then he thrust back inside her, knowing he wasn’t done with her yet.
He had a feeling he’d never be done with her.
Chapter 24
Darek
As Darek headed to the meeting on Friday evening, he was glad he’d invited Raven along. Not only had they ended the evening with a visit to the local New Orleans sex club, but he’d seen things with her that he hadn’t expected to see and done things he hadn’t expected to do. The best part? He didn’t have to worry about being seen there or what anyone might think. And thankfully, he hadn’t run into Bay and Mia or any of the other Zodiacs.
He walked into the building, which was a gorgeous hotel that had once been a monastery, and as he approached, Bay stood at the door to greet him. “You’re the first to arrive. I’ll have this man wand me and then you. That way, we can vouch for one another.”
Darek wasn’t born yesterday and knew that if Bay had arranged the room, he could have gone inside and hidden a gun, but Darek wasn’t worried about that. He didn’t think that Bay wanted any more of his precious Zodiacs to fall. If they were all dead, then who would follow him?
“Whatever, man,” said Darek with a shrug. He couldn’t wait until the others arrived, and they could get down to business. He had a hot night planned and a long Saturday planned with Raven. She had wanted to check out the nightlife after that, and he had a feeling she was going to want to visit the adult entertainment club again.
The man waved the wand over Bay and then walked over to do the same to Darek. When they were all clear, Bay smiled and clapped him on the back. “Shall we go inside?”
Darek shrugged. “Why not? How was your flight?”
Bay walked to the door, and they went inside the room. “Mia whined the entire time.”
He wondered if he had found out about Max and Mia yet and figured that was the reason the girl didn’t want to leave town. He walked over to the sofa. The large room was set up with four large sofas that made a square and in the center was a large table with a minibar.
“This place belongs to a friend of mine. He had this room set up for his business deals. He’d die if he knew I invited a cop along.”
“What does he think you’re using it for?”
“Standard business meeting. He’s interested in some property that I recently purchased, and if I give him first dibs when I let it go, he will allow me to use it whenever I want.”
Darek wondered if it was the land he’d purchased from Seth and Alan and then got an uneasy feeling when he realized that nearly half of their group was dead.
The door opening brought his head around. “All clear,” the guard said as Lane Simon walked into the room.
He looked tired compared to when Darek had seen him around the station and in court. “Damn, is the restaurant business treating you rough?”
Lane smiled and walked over to shake Darek’s hand. “Hardest job I’ve ever had. Let me tell you. I love this city, but I don’t think the people ever stop eating. Lucky for me, and hell at the same time.”
Bay walked over and shook his hand. “That’s great. It sounds like you’re doing good. I’m still planning on coming by for a bite before I
go home.”
“I’ll give you the VIP treatment, man. I hope you all can stop in. I’m going to extend the invite to everyone so I can really show it off.” He raked his hand through his golden blond hair and sat down to pour himself a drink as the next guest arrived.
Ethan Cline walked into the room wearing his boots and Wranglers like a real cowboy. “Hey. How y’all doin’?” His voice was a lot twangier than Darek remembered it.
“Yippee kai yay, mother fucker, look at you,” said Bay, holding out his hand. “I bet the ladies drop their panties for that accent. We should all go to a voice coach.”
Ethan gave a half-hearted laugh and shrugged off the voice coach comment. “I thought I’d be the last to show.”
“No, fashionable entrances are forbidden,” said Lane with a laugh.
Ethan gave a chuckle. “You don’t know what I had to do to get here, man. I couldn’t get a flight, so I had to charter my manager’s fucking private plane.”
Darek thought he’d heard it all. “Boo-hoo. It must suck being you, man.” He eased down beside Bay, and Ethan took one side, and Lane was already on the other.
As Carter Hamilton walked into the room, looking like a smug bastard, Bay got to his feet. “Easy boys. No more of that blasphemous cursing. The man of the cloth has arrived.”
“Hello, Bay. Long time no see. I’ll make sure to stick around and take your confessions before I leave. I’m not a priest, but I think you need all the help you can get.”
“Too true, Brother Carter. Too true.”
“Carter is fine,” he said with a long breath as he sat down with Ethan. “I’m not expecting much from you bunch of heathens.”
“Just two more, and I have a feeling they’ll be arriving together.”
“Two?” asked the pastor. “You mean four. Don’t tell me I’ve come all this way, and we have others who are going to no-show.” The frustration on his face was obvious, and Darek hadn’t realized he didn’t know about Seth and Alan.
