Hale Series Boxed Set

by Marie James

  “Sore?” Alexa asks with a knowing glare.

  “Deliciously!” The words are out of my mouth before I even realize what I’m saying.

  I hear Lorali gasp and I stare at her with a hand cupped over my mouth, just as shocked as she is with what I just said.

  Alexa throws her head back and laughs. “I knew it wouldn’t take much to turn you into a hussy!”

  I drop my hand from my mouth and I wish I could say I’m appalled by what she just said, but how can I be? I’ve practically thrown myself at Kaleb. He woke up this morning in my mouth and I all but attacked him less than an hour ago in the garage. Is this what happens when you go too long without sex? Am I coming on too strong? Does he think I’m acting like a slut?

  “Damn!” I exclaim.

  “What’s wrong?” Lorali asks with a look of alarm on her face.

  “Do you…do you think he thinks I’m a slut?” I lower myself heavily to the bench at the end of the massive bed and hang my head. I didn’t even take his opinion of me into consideration until this very minute.

  I hear Alexa chuckle and see Lorali smack her gently on the arm as I raise my head to look at them.

  “What?” She glares at Lorali.

  “You’re not helping,” my sister tells her. “Look, Josie. I seriously doubt he thinks you’re a slut. He’s been throwing his business cards at you and practically begging you to call him for weeks now.”

  “But what if he was just doing it to get me in bed?” My eyes plead with her.

  “A man who just wants to sleep with you doesn’t bring you home and hang your clothes in his closet.” Alexa explains. “And they certainly don’t turn sex down in the beginning as a means of making sure you’re ready for the next step.”

  I can see her point. He wants to use the word we and he did insist that I pick out groceries for the week. I nod my head, acknowledging that they are probably right and I’m worrying over nothing.

  Lorali rubs my back gently as I stand up. “If you are worried about it, then ask him. Don’t make the mistake I did with Ian. If you have questions, ask. It will be way better than assuming and getting it wrong.”

  “Thanks.” I say with renewed faith. I’ll talk with him this evening after everyone leaves. Not only do we need to discuss where this relationship is going, we also need to talk about how long I’ll be here. I wonder if he will help me find a more secure apartment. The idea of leaving the safety he has provided before my burglar is caught makes me shudder. I shake the thought off and make my way to the closed bedroom door. “You ready to go see what the guys are up to?”

  “Umm…” Lorali looks like she has bad news.

  “What?” I prod.

  “I talked to Mom and Dad earlier and I let it slip that the apartment got broken into.” She answers.

  “And?” I know that’s not all she has to tell me.

  “And…they’re worried about you and are coming to town tomorrow.” I narrow my eyes at her.

  “And?” I demand.

  “And…Since you were so snuggly with Kaleb earlier I might have mentioned that you have a boyfriend. And they want us all to go to lunch tomorrow.” She says the last part very fast and takes a step back waiting for the retribution.

  “You did what!?!” I glare at her. “You told them I have a boyfriend? I don’t even know if he is my boyfriend, Lorali!” I pace back and forth in front of the closed bedroom door frustrated that she has once again overstepped.

  “I didn’t know that you guys haven’t declared it yet!” She explains.

  “All the more reason to mind your damn business!” Alexa steps forward and gets in between us.

  “Josie, calm down. Lorali is just excited you’ve found someone you’re interested in.” Her voice is calm and tranquil and helps to level my anger.

  “Fuck,” I mumble under my breath.

  “Josie!” Lorali chastises my use of foul language.

  I glare at her. “I’m not some petulant child, Lorali. Do not castigate me for using bad words!”

  She hangs her head. “Sorry. Please don’t be mad at me!”

  “I’ll get over it,” I huff and open the door and leave the room.

  Chapter 18

  Kaleb

  Even during the conversation with the guys my eyes can’t help but keep track of Josie’s every movement. After our shower I made a point to put on super tight, ultra-restrictive underwear in hopes that the erection I know I’ll have more than once this evening will be restricted enough and less noticeable.

  I catch her looking my way several times as well. She gives me a small smile, but I can tell that something is bothering her. I can’t help but wonder if she’s regretting this get together or worse yet, regretting me. I try my best to give her a reassuring smile but she cuts her eyes away from me before I can.

  Her regressive behavior has me on edge and I refuse to let it fester. I waited weeks for her to call me. I was patient each time I saw her knowing that giving her my card once again was going to be futile. I’ll not allow her to slip back into old habits.

  I ask Ian to man the grill and walk towards the girls. They’ve settled on to the lounge chairs and are huddled close together over fruity cocktails. I hear them shush each other as I approach.

  “You ladies over here gossiping?” I prod.

  “Always,” Alexa answers.

  I look down and Josie and fight against the desire to run my finger down her face. “Josie, can you help me in the kitchen for a minute?” The way she cuts her eyes over to her sister in disconcerting. She seems nervous. It makes me wonder if Lorali has an issue with us being together. I was glad Alexa gave her approval, but the sister not liking the situation could cause doubt in Josie.

  “Sure,” she agrees. She sets her drink down on the patio table and takes my proffered hand.

  I see the looks she gives Alexa and Lorali as I guide her away from them. I’m tense and on alert, the uncertainness of the situation making my stomach turn.

  “Stay,” I tell Mia as she stands to follow us into the house. She whimpers, well aware of the tension I’m sure is rolling off of me in waves.

  I guide Josie through the sliding glass door and close it behind us. We make our way to the kitchen but the wall I pressed her against earlier is too alluring. With my hands on her hips I gently ease her against the wall. I press my body against her and run my mouth softly down the column of her neck from her ear to her exposed shoulder.

  She giggles and softens in my arms.

  “What’s wrong, Josie?” I pull my face back and peer into her eyes so I can read her nonverbal cues as well as her spoken words. I’ve never been more proud of all my interview training than I am in this moment.

  “What do you mean?” She cuts her eyes in the direction of the patio door.

  I tilt my head at the reaction. “You’re avoiding looking at me. You seem upset.” I answer. “Are you having second thoughts about us?” I say laying it all out there.

  She turns her head abruptly back to me. “Of course not!” She frowns.

  “Then why are you upset?”

  “Honestly?” She questions.

  “Always be honest with me, Mariposa. No matter what, always honest.” What does she think I want her to lie to me?

  “We have a lot to talk about, Kaleb. Can we talk when everyone leaves?” She bites her bottom lip and gazes at me expectantly.

  “Let’s talk now.” I tell her.

  She clears her throat. “I can’t think when you’re pressed against me.”

  “Why is that?” my seductive tone makes her smile.

  “When you’re pressed against me all I can think about is…” she pauses, her cheeks blushing.

  “What does it make you think about, Josie?” I press my growing erection against her center.

  Her eyes roll back and a low moan ghosts past her lips. “You…” she pants. “It makes me think about you and how bad I want you inside of me.” I groan at her confession and nearly come in pants wh
en she adds, “How bad I want your mouth on me. Your tongue tasting me.”

  I pull back from her. “You’ll have all of that, Mariposa. But tell me why you were upset outside.”

  I watch as she gives her head a quick shake; her attempt to clear her head apparent. “I don’t know what we are, Kaleb. I don’t know where I stand with you.”

  How does she have even a fraction of doubt about us? “I’m yours, Josie.” I smile at her smile. “If you want me.”

  “I want you, Kaleb. But what does that even mean?” She drops her eyes, like she’s unsure if she’s ready for the answer.

  I gently hook my finger under her chin and raise her face, forcing her to look in my eyes. “It means you’re mine, Josie.” She huffs and I know my answer doesn’t give her any more information than it did a minute ago. “I can’t even explain it, but I’m drawn to you. I want to spend every second of the day near you, touching you, inside of you. You consume me, Josie.”

  “So that makes you my boyfriend?” Her grin is adorable.

  “Yes. For now anyways.” I lean in and take her mouth with my own before she has a chance to contemplate my answer. I hope she doesn’t reflect on my response as thinking that what we have is temporary rather than one question away from making her permanent in my life, which is where my head is at.

  Her soft hands glide under my shirt and up my bare back. It takes more strength than I thought I ever possessed to not pick her up and carry her to the bedroom. I rub my thumb across her bottom lip. She nips at it and the action makes my already straining cock jump in my pants, underwear restriction be damned.

  “Is that the only thing that’s been bothering you?” She cuts her eyes and I know there’s more.

  “Well…” she begins and then pauses.

  “Honesty, Josie” I urge her.

  She signs, resigned that I won’t allow her to be upset and us not talk about it. “Lorali told my parents about the break in at the apartment.”

  “That’s good, Mariposa. I’m surprised you didn’t call them yourself.”

  “I’ve been distracted,” she replies and raises her eyebrows.

  “I love distracting you.” I lean in and suck her bottom lip between my teeth and slowly drag my head back releasing it.

  She slaps my chest with her tiny hand. “Stop, so I can get this out.”

  I pull my head back from her. “There’s more?”

  “My parents are coming to Denver and want you to join us for lunch tomorrow.” She says all in one breath like she has to get the information out there before she chicken’s out. “She already told them you were my boyfriend.” I don’t even try to hold back my grin at her admission.

  Her bright eyes are shining and all of the displeasure I saw earlier is gone. “I’d love to meet your parents, Josie.” Then a thought occurs to me. “Do you not want me to meet them?”

  Her smile falls. “Of course I do! I was worried you’d think it was too soon,” she explains.

  I shake my head and grin even bigger. “It’s not too soon.” Her insecurity makes me wonder what her response if going to be when I beg her to stay with me rather than look for another apartment. I’ll just have to show her how mutually beneficial her living here will be.

  I press my body against hers once more and run my nose down her jaw line. She relaxes into my embrace and makes a sigh of complete contentment. “We have to get back outside.” I whisper in her ear.

  She groans a sound of displeasure. “I don’t think they’ll miss us!” Her eyes are pleading and she glances towards the bedroom.

  I’d love nothing more than to pick her up, carry her to the bedroom, and lock the whole world out while I show her just how good of a boyfriend I plan to be, but that would be rude and my mother raised me better than that. “I’ll make it up to you, Mariposa. I promise.” I run my tongue up her neck and nip at her earlobe before pulling out her grasp abruptly.

  She slaps my chest once again. “I’ll hold you to it!”

  I smack her on the ass when she turns and starts to make her way back out to the patio; her giggle is music to my ears.

  Chapter 19

  Josie

  My mood was drastically improved the second half of the cook-out. All I had to do was wink at Alexa and Lorali and they knew everything was smoothed over. The day was quite enjoyable after that. We laughed, drank and ate, and had a great time.

  Kaleb kept me snuggled to his side the rest of the day. The fear from the break-in and threats was always in the back of my mind, but Kaleb’s attentiveness made me feel protected and safe. How could any woman feel unsafe with Kaleb, Ian, and Garrett around? They’d never let anything happen to any of us three girls.

  “So we’ll see you guys at lunch tomorrow?” Lorali prods as we walk them to the door to leave.

  Kaleb plants a soft kiss against my temple. “We’ll be there,” he states happily.

  I smile up at him and melt at his enthusiasm to meet my parents and as I look back to Lorali I can tell she’s just as ecstatic at the prospect of Kaleb and me; the approval feels good.

  I watch as Kaleb, Ian, and Garrett do the man handshake back slap thing as I give Alexa and Lorali hugs. The rambunctious day turns suddenly silent with the exit of our guests and the close of the front door.

  I turn to walk back to the kitchen to begin the cleanup when my arm is tugged. I fall into Kaleb strong arms.

  “Not so fast,” he whispers against my lips. “You are so beautiful,” he praises as he runs his index finger gently down my cheek.

  I lean into his touch, my focus on his perfectly bowed mouth. The sight makes my mouth water causing me to lick my lips.

  “You look hungry, Josie.” His voice is a soft growl.

  “Ravenous,” I reply as I drag my eyes from his mouth to his gorgeous kelly green eyes. They’re full of mischief and the promise of a very interesting evening.

  He grips me tighter against him and I can feel the thunderous beat of his heart. “What are you hungry for?” He bends down and traces my lower lip with his velvety tongue.

  A low moan escapes my lips and my eyes flutter closed. His hand glides down my back and grips my butt firmly. I can feel his length against my stomach and my core clenches in anticipation of what Kaleb is offering. I can’t seem to get enough of this man. In the last twenty-four hours I’ve become a sex-crazed teenager and I have to admit I love it!

  “Tell me.” Kaleb demands as his free hand snakes into my hair and tugs my head back, forcing me to open my eyes. His look is borderline feral and even though I’m shocked at his sudden change in demeanor my nipples harden and I grow wetter in anticipation.

  “You,” I pant. “My body needs you.”

  His lips crash against mine and the hand gripping my backside sweeps under me, lifting me against him, forcing my long skirt up my thighs, and lining my needy center against his arousal. I moan into his mouth and rock my hips, rubbing up and down his length.

  He turns us and with more restraint than his mouth tells me he has, he places me gently against the wall allowing him to cup my face with both hands. He clasps his teeth on my bottom lip and slowly pulls his mouth from mine.

  “I promised in the shower earlier that I’d get you dirty. Do you want to be dirty, Mariposa?” He looks at me with heavy eyelids. I nod my head and grin at him. “How dirty do you want me to make you?” His voice is seductive and full of promise.

  “Filthy,” I whisper against his lips. His growled response is like torpedoed fire to the apex of my thighs.

  He kept his promise and then some; I’d never been dirtier in my life by the time the night was over with and I collapsed in his arms.

  ***

  Waking up Sunday morning in Kaleb’s arms was utter utopia. I smile against his chest remembering how our bodies were in perfect harmony last night. Sex with him has surpassed any and all expectations I’ve ever had about the act, but the way I feel waking in his arms is indescribable. I squeeze him tighter and let out a contented sigh.
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  “Good morning, Mariposa,” he whispers huskily against the top of my head before giving me a tender kiss on my forehead.

  I raise my head up and look down at his magnificent chest, the muscled contour of his pecs and abs are phenomenal. I love how my milky white arm looks against his beautifully bronzed skin tone. This man is the epitome of physical perfection.

  “You have that look in your eyes, Josie.” I hear Kaleb say.

  “What look is that, Kaleb?” I tease.

  “The look that says you’re about to maul me.”

  I can’t help but giggle. “Is that so?” I pull my eyes from his beautiful chest to his equally striking face into his playful green eyes.

  He nods. “What’s running through that stunning head of yours this early this morning?”

  I sweep my hand across expanse of his chest. “You don’t want to know.” I respond and pull my gaze from him.

  He reaches down and tips my chin back with his index finger. “Josie. We talked about this yesterday. Please don’t keep things from me.”

  I sigh, knowing I promised to always be straight with him. “I was thinking about how perfect we are together.”

  “What makes us perfect for each other, Josie?” He’s lowered his voice, his tone turning seductive.

  “I come alive under your fingertips. I’ve never even really given thought to someone touching me like you have.” I swallow harshly. “Now I can’t imagine going a day without your touch.”

  “And I feel the same way about you,” he adds softly.

  I grin at him. “Plus, you’re a cop and I’m a teacher.” I shrug my shoulders. “My dad is going to love that.”

  “Why is that?” He grins back at me.

  “I’m his baby and you have the ability to protect me. He knows I’ll be safe with you.” I lean in and give him a light kiss on the cheek.

  “Always, Josie.” He whispers against my lips. “I’ll always protect you.”

  I lie back down on his chest and hold him close. I’m nervous about lunch with my parents but what really has me tied in knots is leaving this house and the safety of his arms to go to work tomorrow. It’s been easy to push the thoughts and fear from the death threats out of my head since I’ve been here. Kaleb has kept my mind otherwise occupied, but knowing I have to go to work tomorrow makes my blood run cold.