by Joanna Blake
He threw his head back, laughing.
“Of course you are.”
He tilted his head to the side, looking me over. Inspecting me. I swallowed nervously, wondering what he was thinking. What he thought of me.
Not that it mattered.
“Come out.”
“Why?”
“Let me kiss you.”
“No, Chan. Stop being crazy.”
“How is wanting to kiss you crazy?”
I rolled my eyes, scooting back. I started trying to tug my wrists apart. The tie was soft but I still couldn’t pull it loose. I felt ridiculous. But safe. I knew Chan wouldn’t hurt me.
He might be a player but he wasn’t dangerous. I’d even thought of him as my friend. Before he’d made a fool of me.
“Kiss me.”
I looked up at him, exasperated.
“I’m getting married. Besides, you don’t really want to kiss me.”
He leaned forward. My breath caught at the look in his eyes.
“I’ve wanted to kiss you for 20 years.”
He leaned forward. For a minute I thought he was going to go against his word and kiss me anyway. My eyes lowered to his lips as he came closer and closer. Then he stopped.
He stared into my eyes as he reached behind me to untie me.
“At least twenty years.”
Then he did something that I did not like at all.
He took a picture of me.
Chapter Four
Chandler
I slid my phone into my pocket. Carolina was staring at me with a look of righteous indignation. I grinned at her unrepentantly.
“What did you do that for?”
I shrugged.
“Insurance.”
My cock was so hard it hurt. But I could tell it wasn’t happening. Not now.
But maybe later.
Caro was the opposite of easy pickings. But I was advanced. An expert at what I did. I knew I could break down her defenses with enough time.
“Insurance for what?”
“Insurance that you’ll come out with me tonight.”
Her jaw dropped. She probably thought I was above blackmailing her. She was wrong.
I threw my arm around her shoulders casually. Time to set the trap. Set her mind at ease.
A good hunter knew better than to flush their prey too early.
“So, how’ve you been Princess?”
She rolled her eyes at me and stood, throwing my arms off her shoulders.
“Don’t pretend you care, Chan.”
She tried to walk past me but I stopped her, pressing her against the wall. I used my arms to keep her boxed in. She tried to duck under them but I grabbed her, forcing her to look into my eyes.
“Oh, but I do care.”
“Give me a break Chan. I’m not fooled.”
I stared at her. Time to try a new approach. Guilt.
“Don’t you want to know how I’m doing? Me being an old family friend and all.”
Her mouth opened in surprise. The Prom Queen having less than perfect manners? Oh, fuck yeah I was calling that out.
There was a loud knocking at the door. I grabbed the handle to keep it from turning. I didn’t move an inch from where I was standing over her.
“Carolina darling, you in there?”
“She’ll be right out.”
“Are you okay hon?”
“I’m - I’m fine Shari.”
I let my fingers explore the silky skin of her neck. She was staring at me, breathing heavily. Oh yeah, I was getting to her.
Whether she wanted to admit it or not.
“You didn’t answer my question.”
Her eyes were glazed over and confused. It was adorable. It was also sexy as fuck. I bet she’d look like that during sex. I couldn’t wait to find out.
“What question?”
“Don’t you want to know how I’ve been?”
“Yes. I mean. Of course I want to know you that are doing well, Chan.”
“Perfect. We can talk over drinks.”
I grinned at her and slid my arm around her waist. She was like putty in my hands. If only her friends weren’t on the other side of the door… we could have had some real fun.
“Please Chan, I really couldn’t drink another sip.”
“Oh, but that’s not part of the deal Princess.”
She stared at me while her friends banged on the door. Finally she nodded. I leaned in and pressed my lips to hers. She tasted like sweet surprise. For a minute it seemed like she might kiss me back. Her lips were soft and yielding. She let out a sigh.
I should have known better. It was stupid. But I could not resist reaching down to give her juicy little bottom a squeeze.
A two handed squeeze.
Her bottom was very, very squeezable. For a moment I felt like I’d won a contest. The world series of ass grabs.
Then she slapped me.
She stared at me, her cheeks bright pink. I rubbed my face, not sorry in the least. I opened the door and smiled at her friends.
“Let’s do this.”
Carolina
I watched as one of the strippers flirted with Shari. It was the really big one named Bear. He was huge and hairy with tattoos all over his chest, arms and shoulders. Shari was loving every minute of it.
Chan had dragged me away from the group to a small table in a dark corner. He’d waved my friends off but they’d barely noticed. Somehow, I got the feeling he was purposely getting his friends to distract mine.
For what reason, I had no idea. He was up to no good, that much was clear, But why? It’s not like Chan was desperate for a woman. Especially an inexperienced one like me. He was probably jus doing this for a laugh. He always did like getting a rise out of me. But sex? No, I didn’t think he was after that. Not with me anyway.
Ever since I’d known him, he’d just had to snap his fingers.
Just like that, some girl would come running.
More than one.
He was getting us drinks at the moment. I’d put my foot down and insisted on water. I was hoping he’d comply.
I already knew I was going to be hungover in the morning.
Heck, that was an understatement.
I rarely drank and never to this extent. There was something freeing about it though. If I’d been dragged on stage sober, I might have lost my mind. Instead I’d just layed there as Chan humped me like a wild animal.
It should have been humiliating. Awful. Shameful.
Instead it was the most exciting thing that had ever happened to me.
I knew it was just part of the show.
But it felt like more.
None of this was appropriate for a soon to be married person like myself. I should be ashamed of myself for not running off the stage the moment he’d touched me. No good Christian woman would allow that sort of spectacle.
My cheeks burned as I remembered how he’d manhandled me. And how much I’d liked it. Max never touched me like that. He never even tried.
He knew I was serious about my chastity. He respected me. Meanwhile Chan had zero respect for me.
Or my vow.
I told myself to remember that as he walked back over with drinks. Two cocktails and a glass of water. I could have kissed him for the water.
“So Princess. Tell me everything. Who is this Prince Charming that finally tied you down?”
“Nobody has ever tied me up, Chan. Not until tonight.”
He grinned at me and lifted his drink.
“To tonight then.”
I rolled my eyes and sipped my water.
“It’s bad luck to toast with water.”
“I didn’t toast.”
He sighed heavily and leaned his cheek against his palm. He just stared at me, waiting. I gave in. His gorgeous blue puppy dog eyes were too much for me.
“Fine. What do you want to know?”
He smiled at me like he’d won the lottery. He was almost too pretty. His teeth were whi
te and perfect. His lips were smooth and pink and very, very sensual.
I knew, because he’d kissed me with those lips.
Twice now. Only about five years between kisses. It seemed like too long to wait for something so thrilling.
Thrilling and dangerous.
“How you’ve been. Who you are marrying. If he makes you happy.”
“Oh, is that all?”
He tilted his head, staring at me intently. Chan had this rare ability to make me feel as if he was really seeing me.
He always made me feel like that. Seen. Known. Like I was interesting. Not just another goodie two shoes southern girl.
It was part of his charm.
“Fine. I’ve been great. I got a teaching job down here. It’s my first year but I love it. I really love the kids.”
He smiled and nodded.
“You were always great with kids.”
I stopped nursing my water and looked at him in surprise. I didn’t realize he’d noticed that. Or well, anything about me. Other than wanting to de-virginize the prom queen.
Which I knew he’d tried to do on a bet.
I couldn’t lie. That stung. I’d thought that he really liked me that summer after high school…
But Chan never took anything seriously. I knew that. I should have known better.
I couldn’t even blame him.
He just was who he was.
“What about the guy?”
“Oh, he’s a real estate developer. His name is Max.”
Chan froze in the middle of pushing my drink towards me.
“Max Herchou?”
Now it was my turn to freeze. I took the drink and sipped without thinking about it.
“You know him?”
Chan looked away and then back at me, cursing under his breath.
“You are not fucking serious are you?”
I stared at him, shocked by the vehemence of his tone. He looked enraged suddenly. Playful Chan was gone. This was someone else entirely.
Someone who could commit violence. Not on me. I wasn’t scared. But it was alarming nonetheless.
“Max Herchou is the biggest scumbag in Miami. No- the planet.”
“What did you just say to me?”
He stood up and leaned over me. He was close. Too close. His voice was low. His eyes burned with an intensity I’d never seen before.
“Max Herchou is one of the most fucked up human beings on the planet.”
“That’s not funny Chan.”
He was staring straight into my eyes. The look on his face was giving me chills. He was serious.
Dead serious.
“Caro- you can’t.”
“I can’t what? I can’t marry him?”
He nodded urgently.
“Please Caro, he is one scary motherfucker. No joke. You can’t marry him. I won’t let you.”
“Oh, excuse me?”
I raised my eyebrows and gave him my best school teacher look. I had enough. He had overstepped every boundary I had. Insulting my fiancé was the last straw.
“Step back please.”
He stared at me, eye to eye. Finally he stepped back. But I could tell he didn’t want to.
Too darn bad.
I picked up my purse and stood.
“You have no right to tell me what to do after all these years Chandler. Let alone who I can and cannot marry. You had your chance, remember?”
I stormed past him but he grabbed my arm.
“What do you mean? You ran out on me!”
“Everything is a joke to you, isn’t it?”
I pulled free.
“Take care of yourself Chan. Goodbye.”
I walked out of the lounge to the street. The limo was gone. I had no idea where the hell I was.
“Caro-“
I glared over my shoulder at Chan. He just would not give up. He stood there, looking utterly gorgeous. For a moment I let myself pretend that he had good intentions.
That he gave a hoot about me.
“Let me see you home. We can talk about this tomorrow.”
I turned around to face him.
“I am not seeing you tomorrow or ever again Chan. I’ve had enough humiliation to last a lifetime.”
I turned my back on him dramatically. I wobbled a bit as I walked down the block towards the corner. I heard him curse and chase after me.
“Damn it Princess, this is not a neighborhood you want to get lost in!”
I stopped and looked around. He was right. This was not a good neighborhood. It was late and the street was empty. Shadows were everywhere.
“Don’t move. I’m calling us a cab.”
I stood there, watching Chandler make the call. I ignored him while we waited on the street. When the car came I got in. I didn’t even try to stop him from getting in behind me.
I was so tired. I just wanted to be home safe. Forget this night ever happened. As the cab wove through the streets towards my house I started to feel woozy.
I barely noticed Chan pay the guy and get out after me.
I turned to glare at him on the street as the cab pulled away.
Did he seriously think he was coming upstairs with me?
I was about to tell him to get another taxi when I felt it. The contents of my stomach were gurgling up in an alarming manner. I slammed my hands over my mouth.
Chan took my arm, concern written all over his face.
“What is it Caro?”
“I think I’m going to throw up.”
Chapter Five
Chandler
I couldn’t stop smiling as I helped her up the stairs to her apartment. It was a cute little building. Art deco. Classic. Just like her.
I took the keys from her and opened the door, expecting to see a pink floral explosion.
Instead the living room was tastefully done in soft blues and grays. Caro kicked off her shoes and ran for the bathroom. I looked up and saw a needlepoint sign.
Please remove your shoes!
I shook my head, following instructions. Then I went to the kitchen and got a glass of water, trying to ignore the wrenching sounds coming from the bathroom. Everything was neat as a button. Clean. But not sterile.
Warm and cozy. Welcoming. It reminded me of home.
I walked around Caro’s living room, looking at the pictures on the mantle. There were pictures of her family. Her grandma Jess as a bride.
And there at the end, was a group photo from Bible Camp. About fifteen kids, all from the same year. Everyone had gone to Bible Camp. It was the only camp in town.
Right in the corner I could pick out a shit eating grin.
Me.
She had a picture of me on her mantle. That was interesting. She definitely had not forgotten me, no matter what she said.
I heard footsteps behind me and turned.
“You’re still here.”
She didn’t look annoyed so much as surprised.
I held up the glass of water.
“Here you go.”
“Thank you.”
She started to chug it and I stopped her.
“Whoa- whoa-“
My hand was on her arm. Her skin was so soft it sent a shot of lust straight to my groin. It didn’t matter that she had just thrown up. I still wanted to kiss her.
But she needed some hangover advice from a pro, not to be pawed when she didn’t feel well.
Even I was not such a dog as to try something now.
No matter how badly I wanted to.
“Tiny sips. Trust me on this.”
She nodded and took a small sip.
“I guess I should thank you, Chan.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. I was gratified to see her glance down at my forearms. Her eyes got a little wider.
“Okay. So, thank me.”
She bristled a little bit.
“Thank you.”
“It’s not a problem.”
She grabbed her purse and started riffling through it. She bl
ushed as a roll of condoms came tumbling out.
“My, my, Caro. Such a well prepared girl you are.”
“Stop it Chan. You know these aren’t mine.”
“I know.”
She pulled out her wallet.
“How much was the cab?”
I stepped closer to her, brushing her hair back from her face.
“Forget it.”
“But-“
“I said forget it.”
I grinned at her, debating about stealing another kiss. She scooted to the side before I could make up my mind. It was almost like she could read my mind. Then again, if she could do that, she’d be blushing.
My imagination was very, very vivid.
“I better get to bed.”
“Let me tuck you in.”
She glared at me. I held my hands up, giving her my best innocent face.
“Not like that- I swear. I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
She hesitated and then nodded. I waited while she changed into her pajamas. I smirked as she came out of the bedroom in the girliest set of pajamas ever. Short shorts and a camisole that made my fingers itch to grab her. There were the pink florals I’d been expecting.
Only Caro could make something so sweet look almost pornographic.
I refilled her water glass and laid two aspirin by her bed.
“Do you always carry aspirin?”
“Do you always carry enough condoms for an army?”
She giggled and I was reminded of the cute little girl she’d been. All pink cheeks and flashing eyes. She’d gotten her Sunday best dirty a few times because of me.
But she’d never once told on me.
Not even to the Minister.
As I tucked her in, something broke open inside me. This girl, this sweet, beautiful girl could not be destroyed by that criminal she was about to marry. The thought of it made my blood turn to ice.
I was going to protect her.
I would save her.
And then I was going to keep her for myself.
I might not deserve her. Hell, I knew I didn’t. But maybe somehow, I could make up for my shortcomings.
I could change.
I pulled the covers up to her chin and leaned down, stealing that kiss I’d been after.
Her big blue green eyes blinked at me.
I leaned back and waited for her eyes to close.
Yes. I was definitely keeping her.
