“I’m not.”
He immediately moved his hand and looked back at the empty highway.
I trailed my fingertips up his arm again, reveling in his strength. In the club and at the party, I hadn’t truly gotten the chance to enjoy him at my leisure. People watching all around really had a way of amping things up and making them anything but leisurely.
How long has it been since I’ve really just enjoyed a man behind the privacy of a locked door?
Well over a year, and even then, the sex with my last boyfriend hadn’t even compared to what Cole and I had done out there for the world to see. The memory of that night shuddered through my head like it had many times in the last week and a half.
“I like touching you.” The words escaped my lips unbidden.
“You do?”
“Yes.” I nodded my head and inhaled deeply. His musky scent filled my nostrils. My pussy clenched in response.
“You know why they call me the Ripper?” His question surprised me. I frowned, but didn’t pull away. “Because I rip women’s hearts out. I break them. And then I leave.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.” He ground the word out between clenched teeth.
“It’s a good thing I’m heartless.” I leaned in closer. “I’ve thought about you.”
“You have?” His knuckles whitened on the wheel. The speedometer read sixty-five miles per hour.
I leaned in, until I was certain my breath tickled his ear. “Yes, every day.” He shuddered. “I thought about the way your cock felt in my mouth.”
“That’s what you thought about?” He seemed surprised.
“Yeah, how I wished you’d shoved it down my throat. Every single inch of it, until I gagged.” I licked his ear and let my hand wander down his chest. “Did you like it?”
“Fuck yeah,” he mumbled.
I stopped my hand inches above his groin, where I knew his hard cock was concealed by his pants. The stiff erection pressed against the denim. My mouth watered. “Tell me what you liked about it.”
He groaned, no doubt recognizing that I was going to make him work for it. At the same time, I felt anxious, ready to put my hands on him.
“All of it. The way your blue eyes looked at me while you took my cock into your mouth…” He trailed off.
“I wanted to suck it longer.” I raked my fingernails against his stomach slowly. “I wanted you to grip the sides of my head and fuck my face.”
Something that sounded like a growl tore from his lips.
“Do you wanna fuck my face, Cole?” I leaned back a little to study his reaction. His expression hardened and filled with hunger, like he was fighting desperately against some inner demon. After several heartbeats he gave a curt nod, as if he didn’t trust himself to speak.
I popped the button on his jeans and slid the zipper down. I studied his face the entire time, but it didn’t change. He never looked at me but stayed focused on the road. Do you like it, Cole? Do you want this as much as I do? I reached into the warmth of his pants and gripped his hard cock. We moaned in unison. I pulled his thick length out, revealing the steel encased in smooth velvety flesh. A bead of pre-cum formed at the tip. A flood of wetness coated the lips of my cunt at the sight.
I want to taste it. I need to or I’ll surely die. I ducked under his arm and flicked my tongue against the tip, collecting the moisture. The salty liquid only made me ravenous for more. I wrapped my lips around the tip and took him into my mouth. He groaned above me and I slid down his length slowly, savoring every inch of him. He thrust his hips and his cock stabbed at the back of my throat, nearly making me gag.
I eased back a little and bobbed my head down. I was rewarded with a slap across my behind, and then a big hand gripped one cheek.
“I fuckin’ love your ass.” He groaned while I sucked him deeper. I was certain the crotch of my jeans were soaked from how aroused I was. He spanked me again and I moaned around his cock.
I kept working him at a slow pace and started using my hand, gripping the base while I bobbed my head at the same time. I didn’t pick up the pace until I heard the click of his blinker signaling his exit. My loft wasn’t far.
I plunged my head down onto his shaft without mercy, fisting him at the same time. I tasted more of his salty pre-cum and knew he was close. I released my grip on his cock and took him all the way in my mouth. His dick hit the back of my throat, gagging me. He groaned. The truck lurched, tires squealing, to a halt. In a moment of panic I was afraid we’d had a wreck, but the grip of his hands in my hair alerted me to what was really going on.
“You like gagging on that cock, huh?” He shoved my head down. “You like putting that big dick in your mouth.” Wet arousal dripped from my core. He slapped my ass again, but his hand landed lower, closer to my throbbing pussy. “Oh, yeah, that pussy’s all wet for me, isn’t she?”
I moaned and tried to nod, but he pressed down on the back of my head again. I gagged. Bile rose in my throat in time with the building orgasm in my belly.
“Fuck yeah!” He thrust his hips up and slapped his open palm right against my throbbing pussy. My stomach heaved just as the orgasm sliced through me like a dirty knife, infecting my body with a desperation for more. Pleasure flayed my skin away as he filled me with his salty liquid. I swallowed everything, all of him, and the remnants of me until I was drowning in him, drowning in utter rapture.
Cole pulled me up from his lap and pressed his face into the crook of my neck. The bristles of his short beard brushed against my cheek as he buried his hands in my hair. My eyes focused to the dim lighting outside of the car. The parking garage.
“You are…like nothing I ever expected.” He pressed his lips against the curve of my neck, sending a shiver down my spine.
“Hmm?”
He kissed my neck again. “I want to see you again.”
A breathless laugh escaped my lips. “Why, because I give good head?” My voice sounded raspy, like I’d smoked all my life.
“No.” Several heartbeats passed. He leaned back and looked into my eyes. “I like you. That’s why I want to see you again.”
Realization of the implications of what just happened slammed into me.
“No, I can’t.” I pushed away from him.
“What?”
“I can’t see you again.” I turned away and snatched my purse out of the floorboard. What was I thinking? I didn’t do this. I didn’t get involved with men like him. Strippers were a no go in my department. I was too jealous, too protective of what was mine. Sharing wasn’t an option for me, even if it wasn’t completely sexual. Women ogling his body, touching it while he shook that thick cock in their face. No! I couldn’t handle it.
“What the fuck do—”
“This was supposed to be as friends. You agreed earlier,” I said accusingly.
A bewildered look spread across his face. “What did I do that was so wrong?” My mind raced as I closed my fingers around the door handle. “You came over to my side of the truck and put your mouth on my cock,” he growled the words, sounding like someone else, some sort of animal.
I searched for something to say and had nothing. He was right, but I wasn’t going to admit that. Not in a million years. He reached for me, but I pushed open the door and avoided his hand, slamming the door behind me. Just as I came around the truck he emerged. I avoided him and headed toward the doors that led to the lobby.
“Didn’t you have fun, Julia?” The pain in his voice threatened to suffocate me. Why did I even care? It didn’t make sense, he was just some guy my boss paid to fuck me.
But that’s it.
The revelation attacked me. He wasn’t just some guy anymore. He’d become something more somewhere between love and them and flashing the middle finger at an unlucky referee.
Oh my God, I like him.
I didn’t turn around or go back. I left Cole there in the parking garage alone.
Seven.
“Everyone will be getting a co
mpensation pay.” Patricia’s nasally voice echoed from the other side of my cell phone.
“Is this a joke?” I could hardly believe my ears.
“You’re just as surprised as I am. Jimmy received the information this morning from the new owner.”
“But this is way too short notice to just shut down Rapture,” I said.
“I agree with you, but they want to make some renovations. The first crew is already up here working on the stage.”
“How much compensation?” Irritation hit me. Though that was pretty much the state I had been in since my date ended the night before. I’d tossed and turned all night, my silken sheets like burlap against my sensitive skin. Even though I orgasmed in the truck, I still craved more. I longed for Cole’s hands on me. I wanted his cock inside me.
“I don’t know, Jewel. Jimmy is supposed to get the spreadsheet with everyone’s info. He will be sending out emails later tonight with all of that, including dates on how long the club will be closed, though the new owner says it will only be a week or two.”
I ran a hand through my tangled hair. “All right. Thanks.”
I hung up and got out of bed. It was after two in the afternoon. Sleep hadn’t taken me until six in the morning and even then, it had been fitful. I glanced at my disheveled state in the mirror. My over-sized night shirt hung off one shoulder, revealing my colorful half-sleeve of tattoos. My garden. I had a pink lotus, several blue and purple hibiscus, a sunflower, and even some bluebonnets. All of them were wound together with green ink.
My mind jumped back to the tattoo on Cole’s arm. His sister. What happened to her? My gaze locked on the outline of the black ink I tried hard to cover with my garden. No one else would notice it, but I did. Forever a part of me. Guess we all have our secrets.
I clenched my fists. Why am I thinking of him? I never thought about Kevin…or the fucked up relationship we had. I had moved on from it. It was over. Finished.
My phone chimed on the bed and I glanced at it. My alarm was going off. The word Gran spread across the screen.
“Shit.” I snatched up my phone and turned the alarm off. I’d almost forgotten that I had told my grandma I would visit today. I never forgot about visiting her. She was the reason I still existed as a functioning human being. She was the only person who hadn’t abandoned me.
All the more reason you shouldn’t get involved with anyone, especially Cole. You’re losing yourself again.
“No.” I headed toward the bathroom. I would never lose myself. Not again.
Half an hour later I was in the parking garage cursing my Honda Civic to hell. The piece of shit wouldn’t start.
“Go fucking figure.” I kicked the tire with my Toms and winced when pain shot through my foot.
I jogged back inside certain that Leon, the front desk guy, would be able to help me. But he wasn’t there. Seriously? I knew Randy wasn’t in the elevator. It had been empty when I ventured down earlier.
I yanked out my cell phone and scrolled through my phone book. Who would I call? I’d never been faced with this issue before with Vic and Chris as my roommates. They had always been there if I needed a jump.
I don’t even have jumper cables.
Cole’s name popped into my head, before I realized that I didn’t have his phone number. It never even came up. He just magically knew where I lived.
I came across Patricia’s name and pressed send.
“Jewel.”
“Hey, Patricia. Are you still up at Rapture? My car won’t start and you were the closest person I could think of. Could you come give me a jump?”
Patricia sighed on the other end. “I’m kind of busy right now, Jewel.” A bustle of male voices sounded through the other end of the phone. “Hold on.” The voices became more muffled as if she covered the speaker with her hand. “All right. I’ll be there in a few.”
“Really? Thanks.”
I leaned back against my car, annoyed, but it wasn’t two minutes before a big, black diesel truck pulled up next to me.
“What are you doing here?” I asked when Cole hopped out.
“I came to give you a jump.” He winked and pulled jumper cables out of the bed.
I bit down on my lips at the sight of his muscles flexing under a black designer shirt. His hair was pulled back at his neck in a rubber band, revealing his chiseled jaw.
“But I called Patricia.”
“Yeah, I was in the office when you called.” He popped the hood of my Civic.
“Why?”
He moved over to his truck and did the same thing. “Putting in my resignation.”
“What?” My voice rose a notch as a wave of panic swept through me.
He can’t leave. He just got here!
He glanced at me, the corners of his mouth curving into a sexy smile. “What, you don’t want me to leave?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“No, you didn’t.” The smile left his face as he went back to hooking up the wires. “Get in the car and try to start it.”
I climbed in not missing the feel of his eyes on my backside. I was in yoga pants again, though thankfully I’d refrained from wearing my Stars hockey sweatshirt. Instead I’d put on a plain pink sweater that hung off one shoulder. I turned the key only to hear a series of clicks. The engine didn’t start. “It’s not working.”
“Try again.”
I did, only to get the same result.
“Here let me try.” He came around the car. I climbed out, which put me only inches away from him. The woodsy notes of his cologne met my nose. I almost sighed. I side-stepped to avoid touching him and failed. My arm brushed against his. Even through the cotton of my sweater I could still feel the heat of his skin.
Cole made no indication that he noticed I’d touched him. He climbed in the car and got the same result I did.
“Looks like you need a new battery. Or maybe your starter is out.”
“Shit.” I backed up. “Just great!” The urge to kick my tire grew.
“I have a friend who’s a mechanic. I’m sure I could get him to work on it later today.” He got out of the car.
“That doesn’t really help me right now, though.” I tried to keep the bitterness out of my words. I’d told Gran I would come today. I never missed a visit with her.
“Well, you’re in luck that my chauffer services are available this afternoon.”
“Oh, yeah?” I snorted and turned away from him. “That’s okay. I’ll figure something else out.”
“Why? Where were you planning to go?” The edge in his voice had me turning back around.
“What difference does it make to you?” I put my hands on my hips.
“You have a date or something?”
I snorted. “Maybe.”
Why is he asking me this?
His hands clenched at his sides. “Well, he must be a shitty date.”
“Why do you say that?”
He took a step toward me. “I would never make my date drive to me.” A cruel smile formed on his lips. “And I sure as hell wouldn’t let another man help her if she was in a bind.” He took another step, putting himself only a foot away. “So, whoever this asshole is, you should cancel and spend the rest of your evening with me, Julia.”
I stared up into his stormy blue eyes. They seemed to bore into me and open me up from the inside out. My skin flushed at his nearness and liquid coated my panties.
I opened my mouth to turn him down. I could just say no and head back to my loft, be done with this whole situation and just go see Gran after my car was fixed. But something stopped me.
Why not have him take me? This would show him that he shouldn’t go offering his services if he doesn’t want someone to take him up on the offer.
“Okay.”
He quirked an eyebrow. “So you’re canceling your date?”
“Nope.” I stepped around him. “You’re just lucky enough to come along.”
An hour and half later I slammed the truck door
shut in front of Gran’s little house.
“So, this is it?” Cole came to stand beside me. “You grew up here?”
“No. Did you see the big horse ranch coming into town?”
“The one with the circle C on the gate?”
“That’s where I grew up.”
“Nice.”
We approached the red front door. “You don’t have to come in you know.” We hadn’t left until I explained that I didn’t actually have a date, at least not with a man. He’d refused to take me to meet any guy, but once he heard I was going to see Gran he had been more than happy to escort me.
“I know.”
I knocked a couple of times before pushing my way inside.
“Gran?”
“Ms. Collette?” Lara, Gran’s middle-aged live-in nurse, came around the corner.
“Hi, Lara. Is Gran doing okay?”
The older woman smiled. “Oh, yes honey. She’s having one of her good days today.” She glanced up at Cole. “Oh, you’ve brought a friend?” She sounded surprised, which made sense since I’d never brought anyone with me.
“My car broke down and Cole gave me a ride. Cole, this is Lara.” They shook hands and Lara’s cheeks turned a bright shade of pink. Even Lara is affected by him?
“I’ll just step out for a bit while you’re here.” She hurried past us.
“Okay, see ya.”
I moved down the hall, painfully aware of Cole’s presence only feet behind me. It felt like his eyes were roaming all over my backside, caressing every inch of me. Part of me wanted to turn around and throw myself at him. Just say fuck it and do what my body demanded. The whole ride over had been torturous with his rock hard physique only feet away. I wanted to lick every inch of him. Tear his pants off and climb onto his cock.
The sound of cheering inside the next room squashed that idea. I pushed the door open revealing Gran’s hospital bed. She was sitting up, her small form hunched over a bit, with Oxygen plugged into her nose. A cigarette dangled out of the corner of her mouth.
“Beat his ass, Red!” She yelled at the flat screen TV, where Jerry Springer was on.
Drowning in Rapture: Rapture, Book One Page 7
