Shamus’ head poked through the slender opening. He didn’t unlatch the chain, and I felt my anxiety simmering closer to anger. Who was in there with him? Or was it just the television? The computer? And why was I so upset? The heat that had been throbbing in my pussy dulled, as suspicion put a damper on my horniness.
“Mary! What’re you doing here?” His smile was too wide, and his voice too loud. He was trying to alert whoever was in the apartment with him that he had a visitor.
I clenched then unclenched my teeth. “Who’s in there with you?”
His blue eyes grew impossibly wide. “No one.”
I shoved him, but he resisted. “Can’t I come in?” Keeping my body plastered against his, I stared up at him. “I wanted to …surprise you, like you surprised me.” It all seemed so foolish now. I should’ve known Shamus would be on to a new conquest, and I’d be forgotten. That was just his Lothario way. But part of me really wanted to stomp the spiky heel of my stiletto into his bare foot.
“Oh…ummmm…” He looked uncomfortable, and my heart sank farther. “Oh dear…”
That was it. I held up on the force, but I poked his big toe with my heel enough to elicit a loud, “Oww! Damn! Why you evil…” And then the rest of his words went unheard, as I caught sight of a blue/black head of hair disappearing into the hallway that led to his bedroom.
“Addy Gerard?” I called out, shock making my voice high and warbly. “Is that you? Why you little sneak…”
A large hand coiled tightly around my arm and held me back. “Mary, it isn’t what you think.”
I turned to glare at Shamus. “Aren’t those the famous last words of every slut?” I ground the tip of the stiletto in harder this time, and my step-brother’s shriek would’ve put an opera singer to shame.
He followed me down the hall, limping and hurling a barrage of curses at me. “Well, I didn’t want to spoil the surprise,” he shouted, just as I reached his bedroom door and saw Addy disappear into the closet, “but she was helping me pick a Valentine’s gift for you.”
I whirled on him. “If it’s all so innocent, then why is she hiding in the closet?”
A meek voice came from that direction. “Because I’m terrified of you when you’re angry.”
Slowly, the closet opened and Addy stepped out. I noted she was fully clothed, and a quick appraisal of Shamus proved he was also dressed, clothes unwrinkled. They didn’t look like they’d been making out, but that was Addy’s trademark flirtatious giggle I’d heard before knocking.
I glanced at her, glanced at him. The heat rose in my cheeks, and I felt foolish for all sorts of reasons. Maybe I had made a mistake? Well, maybe I’d made a mistake even planning this surprise for Shamus in the first place. What was I doing still fucking my step brother? I shook my head at myself and ran from the room.
“Mary!”
I heard Shamus come running after me, and I just upped my pace. I just wasn’t in the mood for explanations at that moment. The elevator was just three feet away, and, at home, a big box of chocolates waited. They were leftover from the goodie bag I’d created to surprise him with. The thought made me feel stupid all over again, and I choked back a sob. Then I scolded myself for nearly crying. What an emotional idiot I was becoming, and I’d never been good with emotion. At that moment, I hated Shamus for making me feel, and I just wanted far away from him.
But luck left me just after I punched the elevator button. He caught up with me and ensnared my tiny wrist in his long fingers. I tried to yank away as the doors opened, but he just held on and followed me inside.
“You have to let me explain,” he said as the doors closed. “It’s only fair.”
“Who says life is fair?” I snapped.
He scowled. “Mary, you can’t judge me guilty when you don’t even know the story.”
I tried to yank away again. “Why can’t I?”
“Why are you being a bitch?” He jammed the button that stopped the elevator between floors.
I rolled my eyes at him. “Oh, of course. I’m a bitch. How dare I catch you sleeping with my best friend.”
He pressed his face into mine and gave me a frustrated glare. “We were not sleeping together. She was helping me plan something for you for Valentine’s. If you don’t believe me, I can prove it to you.” He gave a self-satisfied smirk, then wrapped his arms around my waist. “Ask your mom. She knows all about it.”
I gasped, but resisted the knee-jerk urge to slap his face. “You told my mother about us?”
His smile was wicked and full of white teeth. “Yup, I did. She was quite happy, thank you very much.”
He moved in to kiss me and I pushed his chin back. “Yes, but…she’ll tell your father, and you know he won’t approve.”
Shamus rolled his eyes this time. “Give your mom some credit. She loves my father, but she knows he can be stuck in his ways. She’s not going to tell him about us.”
His hand slid beneath the collar of my coat, then downward. His grin widened as he realized I was naked.
“I thought so,” he said. “When I saw you in that coat, I figured…” He left the sentence unfinished as he leaned in to kiss me deeply. His tongue traced my lips while his hand urged my bare thighs apart.
“You’re trying to distract me with sex again,” I whispered, as his lips moved across my cheek to nuzzle my ear, then he licked and nibbled a trail down my neck. “We’re holding up the elevator, you know?”
He stopped his seduction long enough to say, “You know this is a quiet building. Low tenant population. Hardly anyone uses the elevator. Now, stop stalling, and let’s have a quickie.”
I should’ve resisted, but once he untied my belt and slipped my coat open, his tongue and hands probed, squeezed, and licked every inch of me. My pussy was wet and aching for his cock in no time.
He tore the coat from my shoulders and threw it to the floor. Then he yanked his jeans and briefs down far enough to free his magnificent erection. He turned me so I faced the handrail that ran the length of the elevator. One massive hand stroked up my torso, wrapping around my tit and squeezing it with lusty need. The other slinked down to my pussy, where he parted my lips and ran two fingers up and down my dripping labia. He pinched and rolled my clit with his wet fingers, then rubbed it hard while he licked and nibbled my ear thoroughly.
I bit back moans as best I could, and I was close to coming just from his fingers when he bent me over and I tilted my ass up, spread my legs. My one hand gripped the rail tight as he gripped my ass with warm, wide palms. My other hand took over playing with my clit, as he slipped his thick, throbbing cock deep inside my cunt.
The sex was fast and furious. His cock rammed me hard, and I could feel my juices dripping from my labia when I ran my fingers over my pussy for more lubrication. My cunt walls tightened more and more around his penis as my climax built. I ground my fingers into my clit hard and quick, while my other hand gripped the railing until my fingers hurt. His balls furiously slapped against my round ass as his thrusts grew even more frantic. I cried out as the orgasm made my legs tremble, and I struggled to stand as pleasure rippled throughout my body.
He pulled out and pulled on his clothes, but not before snatching my coat from the floor and helping me put it on. I cinched the belt tight then pushed the button that would start the elevator again. The building was older, but resided in a quiet part of town with low crime, so security was somewhat lax. Thankfully they’d been snoozing on duty today, or something, since no one had placed a curious call to see why the elevator stalled between floors. If I’d believed in angels, I’d have thought one blessed me with good luck just then.
I blushed when the door opened to reveal an elderly lady with a tiny dog. She looked annoyed, and I wondered how long she’d been waiting. I’d lost track of time, and I hadn’t thought to wear my watch. I cast her a quick smile, and the little dog stared up at me from beneath a curtain of hair. It was like the dog’s beady brown eyes accused, and I blushed harder.
> Outside, I rushed to my car, not waiting for Shamus. He caught my hand before I could open the door, and I turned to him, but avoided his piercing blue eyes.
“What? No goodbye kiss?”
I glanced up long enough to see his cheeky grin. I steeled my resolve, refusing to be charmed by it. “You’ve had more than that. You should be satisfied.”
“Mary.” He caressed my cheek. “Are you still angry? Everything’s okay…isn’t it?” His smile faltered, replaced by an expression of doubt.
“Shamus…” I crossed my arms over my chest, then uncrossed them. Bit my lip. “Sometimes… sometimes I think my life would be easier without you in it.”
I pretended not to see the hurt that marred his handsome face, as I got in the car and drove away.
***
“It was a horrible thing to say. I feel awful about it. I should call and apologize.” I looked at Mom, and her blue eyes seemed to sparkle with compassion. It was good to get this off my chest. I should’ve known she would understand.
“He really did have something planned for you.” She spoke softly, and her sympathetic tone further soothed me. “Addy was just helping him with the final decision.”
Mom was one of the least judgmental people I knew, and I was grateful for that. She’d always been a bohemian sort with a need for freedom, for creative expression through her painting. Her marriage to my abusive father had stifled that in her. Ten years was more than enough time spent with that man. But mom never hated him. She forgave and moved on, and I wanted her, now, to help me see this situation with a calm, less judgmental eye. She could always keep me sane, rational.
“How do you feel about this?” I asked her, as she sat with me at the kitchen table.
“You and Shamus?” She sipped a steaming mug of coffee. “I think it’s great.”
Her wide smile reminded me of my step brother. It was no wonder people often mistook him for her real son. They resembled each other in many ways, though they shared no blood.
“What about Patrick?” I cleared my throat to get rid of the squeak in my voice.
Mom bit her lip, shrugged. “We’ll deal with Pat when that time comes. I’ll talk to him.” She winked. “Soften him up. Don’t worry.
***
While walking down the stairs from Mom and Patrick’s townhouse, I decided to give Shamus a call. I put my pride in my pocket and waited for the ring. But I received that annoying message that the cellular customer was away from the phone.
No sooner did I hang up but my phone rang. It was Addy, and I owed my best pal an apology too. So I hit TALK and got ready to eat crow.
“Hey, Mary.” Her voice was soft, tentative. “It’s me. How’re you?”
I felt a fresh pang of guilt for my hasty reaction earlier that day. She was such a sweet friend, who often put me before herself. How could I have doubted her loyalty? Whether she liked copious amounts of sex or not, Addy would never betray me like I suspected this afternoon.
“Hey Addy. I’m so sorry. I should’ve trusted you of all people.” I sighed. “Never mind me. How’re you?”
Her cute little giggle returned, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Tension lifted. “I’m fine, silly. But, hey, I just got a call from Shamus. He asked me to go pick him up, but I really think you should be the one to do it.”
I fished car keys from the pocket of my jeans. “What’s up?” As I slid into the seat, my heart sped up a notch.
“Well…I guess after what you said today, he figures you’re leaving for Europe early. He called me from the club. He’s plastered and he doesn’t want to drive, but he didn’t know if you’d come pick him up. He asked if I’d heard from you yet.”
I thought about my last words to him. I was planning a trip to Europe in spring, and Shamus knew this. I guess when I said my life might be easier without him, he’d figured I’d bump my departure date up.
Part of me, a small part, wanted to be mad he’d called Addy instead of me. But I knew my temper, and I knew my best friend and step brother were all too familiar with my anger as well. He’d called Addy because he figured I wouldn’t speak to him.
I thanked my best friend and hung up, then started the car and headed for the sex club.
***
It was early by the time I pulled up to the club twenty minutes later. Only ten minutes to eleven, and the action, or so Addy had often told me, didn’t really start at this place until around midnight.
Inside, bodies already thronged the place. Loud hip hop beat a pulse through the area, and a couple in the corner got naked and busy. I scanned the stools lining the bar for Shamus, but there was no sign of him.
Then I spotted him moving through a crowd to the right of the dance floor. I moved that way to catch up with him, but a large, well-muscled chest stopped my progress.
I looked up into eyes a lighter blue than Shamus’. Long, golden hair flowed over the guy’s broad shoulders. He reminded me of that wrestler. What was his name? Jericho, or something like that? Anyway, the big guy was not letting me by, and I was tempted to stomp my sneakered foot into his bare toes.
I tried a polite “Excuse me,” instead, but as I went to move around him, he caught my arm and held me back.
“Wait, pretty lady.” Something about his smile oozed slime, and my sleazeball alert went off. “Didn’t you come here to get yourself a piece of something like me?”
I tried not to curl my lip, not to sneer. I knew these types could get unruly if you shot them down too hard, and I was in a hurry. I had no time to tangle with a fragile, little boy ego.
“Look,” I tried to keep my tone gentle, sweet. “I’m here to see someone specific. No offense.”
His face crumpled in a rebuffed frown. But he quickly regained his composure and tried a new line. Why didn’t these ones give up easily?
When he blocked my way for a third time, I lost my polite tone. “Buddy, I’m not interested. There are tons of women to fuck in this club.” I pointed around me at the gathering crowd of seductively dressed females. “Go find one of--”
My words were cut off by my step brother’s return. He planted a quick jab to the blond guy’s nose, and my tormentor staggered back.
“Roscoe, you stupid bastard,” Shamus growled, while the guy tried to staunch the flow of blood pouring from his nostrils. “She told you she wasn’t interested.”
He turned to me, and his eyes were glazed, his grin was lopsided and sloppy. I couldn’t help but smile back, though I gently shook my head. He was obviously at least two sheets to the wind, and he staggered as Roscoe, the annoying blond Adonis, came at him with a fist poised for a return blow.
“Goddamnit, Quinn, you don’t own this place, or me,” Roscoe yelled as he struck out and missed.
Shamus grabbed his attacker’s arm and, even though his movements were slow and awkward in his drunken state, he soon had him pinned to the floor. “No, I don’t, but you still owe me, and that’s my step sister. So stay the fuck away from her.” He removed his knee from Roscoe’s neck and walked toward me.
“Mary.” He wrapped his arms around my shoulders, pulled me close, and soon my face was mashed between his pecs. “Does this mean you’ve forgiven me?”
“Shamus,” I mumbled, “I can’t breathe.”
“Oh, oh!” He pulled back enough to give me air, and then placed a sloppy kiss on my forehead. “Sorry, love.”
“And there’s nothing to forgive.” I smiled up at him, and we walked around the growing number of people. “I’m sorry about today… about what I said.”
“That’s okay,” he whispered, his words slightly slurred. “It’s in the past now. Forget it.”
He stopped me then, under the canvas canopy that blanketed the entrance to the club. His tongue wasted no time plunging between my lips, and he clasped me close to his broad torso. I entwined my tongue with his, and breathed in the scent of his spicy cologne. The kiss was a little sloppy, but hot and passionate just the same.
He pulled away and bre
athed heavily as he looked down at me. “You forgot your bag at my place earlier.”
“Bag?” I said, as I led him to the parking lot and my waiting car.
“Yeah, you know. The one full of treats.” He gave an exaggerated eyebrow waggle as he slid in the passenger seat.
I grinned and felt my face heat. “Ha! I wondered if I’d dropped that inside your place. Whew. Glad I didn’t leave it in your parking lot.” We shared a laugh, and then quietly I added, “Again, I’m sorry, Shamus. I talked to Mom, and she confirmed everything.”
He gave another lopsided smile and stroked my face. “Again, Mary, forget it. Now, please, take me home? I’m inebriated, and I’d like you to take advantage of me. It is Valentine’s Day tomorrow, after all.”
***
He set the bag down beside the bed and handed me a slender velvet box first. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Mary.”
His wide blue eyes had cleared some as the buzz wore off, and now he looked like a little boy fearing rejection. It hit my heart with an odd feeling, a deep feeling, I wasn’t sure about. Did I like it? Hate it? I tucked the contemplation away for another time and opened my gift.
Inside, a small heart lined with sapphires sat on a bed of satin. I smiled wide at this, and tried to keep my heart from galloping. Shamus knew I was one of those strange females who hated diamonds. I preferred sapphires, I had always said, because blue was my favorite color. Blue, like his eyes, I thought, and grimaced a bit. I wasn’t one for such sappiness, but there it was, just the same.
“Thank you,” I said, and the slight tremble in my voice made me feel silly. “It’s lovely, Shamus. Thank you so much.”
He put the necklace on for me, and, true to his nature, took advantage of being close. His hands trailed from my neck, across my shoulders, under my arms. He cupped both breasts and massaged as he licked and nibbled a path from my ear to my clavicle.
I reached forward and grabbed the bag from the floor. “All right, time for dessert.” Smiling, I pushed him down on the bed and pulled out the can of whipped cream. “Although, we’re going to make an awful mess of your bed.”
Taboo Love The Complete Series Page 4
