Ryan grinned as he clinked his glass against mine. We both took healthy swigs.
Ryan set his glass down on the weathered wooden bar-top, while I kept mine in my hand, staring at the floating ice cubes.
“What’s on your mind?” he asked. “I can see it on your face.”
“Remember that reporter chick who showed up and got kicked out by Captain Jacoby?”
“Yeah. What about her?”
“I looked her up.”
His face scrunched up in confusion.
“What?” I asked and then finished the last of the alcohol.
“Melvin called me all excited about a week ago. He said he found her and that they were dating.”
“That’s not possible. I just saw her yesterday.”
“She didn’t tell you?”
“No, she didn’t say anything. He didn’t either. I talked to him earlier today.”
Ryan shook his head. “That man is bad news.”
“Tell me about it. He wants me to go into business with him.”
“Of course. You have the money.”
“Yeah, but I don’t know if I can trust him. And now I find this out.” I shook my head. “Maybe I can’t trust either of them.”
“Some days it seems like everything was so much simpler in Afghanistan. I mean, it was more dangerous, but we knew what to expect, you know?”
I nodded. “Definitely. Melvin showed up after I found her.”
“And you figured why not add good ol’ Ryan to the mix, huh?” He laughed then finished the rest of his drink.
I raised my hand to fetch the bartender for another round. And then I turned off my phone.
Fuck Rose if she tries to call, I thought, still unsure of what to think after she had flipped out on me the other night. I didn’t need that kind of confusion in my life. I had enough of my own crazy to deal with.
Ryan and I spent the rest of the night catching up, drinking and forgetting our problems. Then we parted ways after he picked up a brunette with big tits.
On the way back to my apartment, I turned my phone back on, thinking about giving Rose a call and seeing if she was okay. When I saw no messages come in, I put it in my pocket and kept walking.
Maybe it’s for the best, I told myself. If this business opportunity with Melvin turns out to be legit, maybe I’ll be able to have something in my life with actual meaning...
As I climbed the stairs to my third-floor apartment—part of my daily routine for keeping in shape—my phone rang. I dug it out of my pocket and saw Rose’s name. After half-a-second of consideration, I ignored it.
With liquid courage running through my veins, I didn’t see any need for her in my life anymore. I had done fine enough without her, and I would keep doing fine without her.
She appeared in my dreams that night though, chasing and teasing me in a thousand different ways. I woke up the next morning with the hardest boner I’d had since my teenage years.
What was that woman doing to me?
CHAPTER 17
Rose
When he didn’t answer my call, I figured it was late and he was probably asleep. The next day, with each hour that passed, I became more obsessed with talking to him.
I still wasn’t able to explain my craziness after we’d made love, but I was ready to try. He kept appearing in my thoughts and I wanted to give him a chance if he would have me.
After controlling my urge all day, I broke down after dinner and sent him a simple text message saying, “U around?”
He answered with a simple, “Yes.”
“Can I come over? Talk?”
A minute passed. Then another. No answer.
I fucked it up. He’s done with me, I lamented.
Right before turning my phone off so that I wouldn’t stare at the screen all night waiting for him, it buzzed.
The text message contained an address across town, nothing more.
My heart raced.
A million questions went through my mind as I rushed to my bedroom to pick out something to wear. I wanted to look sensual, not slutty. I told myself I was only going over to his apartment to talk and explain my actions the other night, but I wore my special red panties just in case things got heated.
As I got dressed and freshened up, I thought about what to tell him and decided the truth was best, even if he wanted nothing to do with me afterwards.
But what was the truth?
In the cab on the way over, I sat with my legs pressed firmly together, wondering if the skirt I’d chosen was too short since he probably already thought I was just using him for sex.
Did he think that was why I wanted to come over?
Was it?
Or was part of it because I was still seeking the answers I had never been able to obtain in Afghanistan?
When the cab arrived at his apartment, I paid the driver and got out, the wind whipping my hair in every direction.
I rushed to his front door where a man in a nice blue uniform opened it, holding a tablet in his left hand.
“Welcome to Rosary Tower,” he said. “Are you here to see someone?”
“Yes. I’m here to see Mr. Lewis. He’s expecting me.”
“Hold on a minute,” the man said, scanning the tablet screen. “I don’t see your name…”
“Can you call him? I just talked to him half-an-hour ago.”
“Sure. Hold on.”
I watched nervously as he walked over to a desk and picked up a phone, debating whether I should just leave. Like that night in Afghanistan and the other night, this suddenly felt like a bad idea.
He walked back over and smiled. “Sorry about that, ma’am. I’ll walk you to the elevators.”
“Thank you,” I said. “What room is he in?”
“He’s got the entire top floor. Mr. Lewis is the king of the tenants here.” He smiled politely, stopping as we reached the elevator doors. “Here you go, ma’am. Have a wonderful evening.”
“Thanks again,” I said, and then walked into the elevator. I took a deep breath once the door closed, knowing it was too late to turn back.
Or was it?
Mixed emotions made me dizzy as the elevator rose toward the top of the three-story building. When the door reopened, I stepped into a small foyer.
A door opened and Warren walked out, a smile on his face and a robe covering his body. “I stayed in the hot tub too long,” he said. “Come on in.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Hot tub, huh?”
He nodded, leading me inside his opulent apartment.
“Nice place,” I said, glancing around.
“Thanks. After I came back from Afghanistan, I treated myself.”
“Mission accomplished.”
“Let’s go to the balcony and talk. You want to get in the hot tub?”
“I don’t have a bathing suit.”
“Suddenly so modest?” He grinned. “Well, we can just enjoy the fresh air.”
I followed him across a grand living room toward a balcony bigger than my entire bedroom. “Wow, that’s quite a view.”
“I love waking up to this scene every morning,” he said.
“I bet. It’s incredible.”
As I scanned the skyline in the distance, I wondered how much he was paying for such a nice place. Thoughts of the smuggling operation—the story that had ruined my career—came rushing back.
We stood next to each other near the marble railing surrounding the balcony. He had his hand on the small of my back, making me feel at ease despite my nervousness.
“I’m sorry about kicking you out,” I said, looking at the street below.
“It’s okay.” His hand slid farther down my back before moving back up.
I shot him an agitated glance. “Is that the only reason you want me? My body?” I stared into his eyes, demanding the truth.
He didn’t look away, meeting my gaze with the same intensity. “It’s one reason,” he admitted before kissing me.
I pulled back, not wa
nting to rush things and end up having a repeat of last time. “Wait.” I put a defensive hand on my chest. “We should talk.”
Warren walked over to a metal table in middle of the balcony. “Talk about what?”
I followed and sat down across from him. “Everything. I’m just so confused. After I got back from Afghanistan, everything in my life fell apart.”
“And you weren’t even a soldier or there for long.”
“Right. I mean, I like you a lot, but I don’t want to bring you down.” I glanced away. “It seems you’re doing so well for yourself. I don’t want to mess that up for you.”
“But all of this means nothing without someone to share it with,” he said. “Besides…”
His voice trailed off and I wondered if he was hiding something. “Go on,” I urged. “I can be a good listener.”
“You’re working on another story, aren’t you?” He shook his head and chuckled.
“No, I’m not. I honestly care, Warren.”
He took a deep breath, looking out at the night sky, his brow furrowed.
What had him so tensed? My old journalistic curiosity threatened to take over for a moment.
“It’s in my past,” he said. “We all have checkered pasts, right? They make us who we are.”
“And who are you?”
“A man looking for a woman like you.”
“Just for fun? Physical only?”
“No, not only—but it’s a good place to start…”
Under the table, I felt his hand slide onto my knee, tentatively at first. I tensed, but didn’t stop him. Taking it as a sign of consent, he moved his hand higher, up to my thigh.
I sighed, unable to fight my body’s desires.
We could talk after. Right now, it was just time for a little fun.
I pushed my chair back, the metal legs scraping against the cement. As I stood, I kept my eyes on his, mentally ripping his robe open. He got to his feet and instantly closed the gap between us.
With his strong arms around me, holding me close, he kissed me on the lips. Willingly giving in to him, I told myself that this was going to be the last time.
Warren backed up and took my hand, leading me inside the massive and modernly-decorated white living room. It was so clean, it almost looked unused. Opulent beyond words.
For the first time in a while, I felt safe.
We passed through the living room and along the way, I stared at his marvelous ass through his white robe.
We stopped in his bedroom, where he turned around and threw his arms around me again. I reached into his robe, feeling that he wasn’t wearing underwear as I wrapped my fingers around his thick appendage.
The intensity of our kiss increasing, he moved his fingers to my blouse, unbuttoning it as fast as he could manage, while I stroked and tugged at him, feeling him hardening in my hand.
After taking off my blouse, he stepped back and threw his robe open. I glanced down at his halfway formed erection, watching it twitch a few times as I undid my bra strap.
When the fabric fell away, he stepped forward and bent slightly, sucking on one nipple while holding the breast with his hand. I ran my fingers through his hair, pressing him closer.
He moved to my other breast, leaving nothing unexplored. I undid my skirt and let it fall to the floor. A moment later, he rubbed his hand against the outside of my panties.
I moaned, loving the way he made me feel both inside and out. My body responded to his every touch, but my heart also fell for him beyond what was physical.
His kisses moved lower on my body. I felt his hands moving to my hips, pulling me closer to his face as he got on his knees in front of me.
“Yes,” I hissed as he leaned back and pulled my panties down.
I stepped out of them and spread my legs. He licked my outer lips as his hand squeezed my ass, pulling me even closer.
I closed my eyes, enjoying the sensation.
He teased me another minute or two. The more he licked, the wetter I became and the more I wanted him.
I put both hands on his shoulders and pulled. Understooding immediately, he stood in front of me. Before he made another move, I got to my knees, wanting to make love to that masterpiece with my mouth. While I rarely enjoyed going down on guys, it was different this time. I willingly wrapped my lips around his thick shaft, taking as much of him in as possible.
I looked up at his face. He stared down at me with a look of ecstasy and appreciation that I’d never seen on a man before. With his hands on his hips, he looked like a Roman Gladiator. Or perhaps a Greek god of perfection.
While sucking him, I stroked his shaft with my right hand, really getting him worked up. I loved the expression on his face as I ran my tongue over the sensitive spot under his head.
“Come here,” he said in a gruff voice, lifting me up and leading me to his bed. “Bend over the edge.”
I did as he told me, feeling dirty and horny at the same time. He slapped my left ass cheek, causing it to sting with a perfect blend of pain and pleasure.
“You like that, don’t you?” he said.
“Yes,” I groaned.
He slapped the other cheek as I stood with my breasts pressed against his mattress. He ran his hands up to my back and then back down. I moaned, spreading my legs a few more inches, wanting him to have all the access necessary.
“You’re so fucking hot,” he said, rubbing himself against me without penetrating.
“Come on…” I begged.
“You want this?”
“Yes.”
When the first inch or so slid in, I knew I wouldn’t last long. My body already tingled everywhere as he slowly pushed the rest of all nine wonderful inches inside. I pushed back against him, wishing he could go even deeper.
He pulled out just as slowly, enjoying every moment. Once out almost all the way, he would start again. Gradually, he found a rhythm, working up the pace, pounding me harder and faster. Waves of pleasure washed over my body and I never wanted him to stop.
All my doubts and worries floated away. The world itself faded around me when he reached under and rubbed my clitoris while continuing to pump me. All that mattered in that moment was the bliss being created between us.
He fucked me like it was our last time together. As if he was heading off to war again.
I concentrated on the feeling of him sliding in and out, never having felt such intense pleasure before in my life.
He pushed me to the edge and my mind went blank when my orgasm hit. All the while, he kept going as my body shook.
“Turn around,” he said. “I want to see your face.”
He pulled out and I flipped over, spreading my legs apart as wide as was comfortable. Then he slipped himself back inside me.
My only thought was to make him feel at least as good as he had made me feel moments before. The look on his face told me I wasn’t far from my goal. His forehead wrinkled as he stared at me, thrusting faster. I ran my hands down his strong back, digging my fingers into his flesh and pulling him closer. A pleasurable sensation ran through me, letting me know we were connecting on some deeper level.
He grunted, his thrusts finally slowing. When he came, I saw it in his eyes. His face relaxed and his body stopped.
Still inside of me, he stared into my eyes while he worked on catching his breath. I looked back, soaking in every visual detail of the moment.
“Fuck,” he muttered, pulling out.
“Fuck indeed.”
He laid on his back beside me, still breathing heavily. I rolled over and threw my arm over his rock-hard stomach, cuddling against his quivering body.
“Fuck,” he repeated.
I giggled.
He smiled. “You’re something else, Rose.”
“And I can’t kick you out this time. You’re not going to make me leave instead, are you?”
“I don’t want you to leave, ever.” He brushed a strand of hair out of my eyes with his fingers.
“Do
you mean it? We don’t know each other well, but I feel so connected to you.”
“Still?” he said with a grin.
I squeezed him briefly, laughing. “I’m serious.”
“I know what you mean. I’ve been wandering aimlessly since Afghanistan.”
Will he ever tell me what really happened over there? I briefly thought, but kept the question to myself, not wanting to ruin the afterglow.
We cleaned up a few minutes later. We then shared a bowl of ice cream before calling it a night and crawling into bed together.
CHAPTER 18
Rose
I woke up before him the next morning. As I laid next to him, his bare back rose and fell as he breathed. I smiled to myself.
It hadn’t all been a dream.
Had I finally found a man worthy of my time, two years after meeting him in Afghanistan, no less? Our story would be fun to tell around the dinner table, that was for sure.
Carefully, I slipped from under the covers and got out of bed, trying not to wake him. He groaned and rolled over, but appeared to be a heavy sleeper.
I wondered if he was a morning person, or the type who was super grumpy before coffee and breakfast. As I grabbed his white robe from the top of his dresser, I realized how little I knew about him.
At the same time, none of the mystery seemed to matter; it just made our blossoming relationship better.
In the spotless kitchen, I started a pot of coffee with his fancy machine. While it brewed, I returned to the bedroom, where he was still asleep. I gathered my clothes and dressed quickly, needing to get home to shower and change before work.
I didn’t want to go to work, but needed the money. Plus, a little time and space from Warren wouldn’t hurt anything because I needed to think things through. We were moving so fast.
Before I left, I wrote a quick note telling him I’d gone to work and would call him later that evening, and left it hanging on his refrigerator with one of his banana magnets.
Outside his door, in the small foyer with the elevator, I saw a door leading to a set of stairs.
A quick three flights should help me wake up, I reasoned and started my way down.
By the time I reached the lobby on the first floor, I realized I needed to get in shape.
Lawless Hero: A Bad Boy Military Romance (Savage Soldiers Book 4) Page 7
