by Jayha Leigh
The phone rang five times, before Ianikut picked up.
“What took you so long to pick up?”
“Aloha?”
“Greetings to you, too, Ianikut. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, angel moya, but couldn’t you have told me at a more appropriate time?”
“Bite me, Ianikut. There is no inappropriate time to say thank you, so shut up and allow me to do so.”
“Did you just cuss me out?”
“No, but I can. Now stop interrupting me,” she said as she launched into a lengthy dissertation on just how much she loved the gift.
“I’m glad that you enjoyed the gift, but why are you still awake?”
“Because I just got sleepy, but now I’m all excited again, so I’ll probably go logon and play Spider Solitaire for a little bit.”
“That’s just wrong.”
“There’s nothing wrong with Spider Solitaire. How can you say that? Obviously you’re evil.”
“Angel, it’s four a.m.”
“And your point is what?”
“The only reason you should be up at this hour is if you’re in the throes of an orgasm.”
“Oh. My. Damn. Now my panties are wet.”
“Good, because my cock went hard as soon as I heard your voice.”
“Ianikut,” she groaned.
“Angel?”
“I hate you.”
“But you still want me, don’t you?”
“I’m hanging up, now.”
“Are you going to get yourself off?”
“No, I’m going to shower and plot revenge against you.”
“Well, make sure it’s my name that you scream as you come, angel moya. I’m a jealous man.”
She couldn’t stop the cum from sliding down her thighs. Ianikut was such a bastard. A hot one with a voice that made her come, but a bastard nonetheless.
Chapter Seven
Ianikut once again fantasized about being the object of Aloha’s undivided adoration instead of her undivided scorn. A little over two weeks had passed since their date. With it being mid-May, everything bloomed, love was in the air, and he was not unaffected. The quirky and colorful woman was constantly on his mind. He spent many an hour concocting methods to make her scream his name. The ringing of the phone interrupted his musings. Before he got a chance to answer, his ear was filled with the voice of his nemesis.
“Imax, I need a favor.”
“You need a favor from the prissy little Duke fan?” He asked in a snit since the phone had interrupted the best part of his fantasy.
“Ianikut, I don’t have time to give you a proper cussing out right now, so I’ll take a rain check on that side order of bitchiness you’re trying to give me. Can you go and check on Aloha? She isn’t feeling well, which means she’s probably taking even less care of herself than she normally does. I’m sure she hasn’t seen a doctor, much less had a decent meal.”
Ianikut went still for he knew from experience that whenever Atlanta spoke to him without nicking his name the situation was critical. What was wrong with Aloha? Ianikut hid his concern behind a façade of calm. “Should I take her to the ER?”
“Nah, as long as she looks remotely alive leave her be. On the other hand, if she looks like walking death by all means throw her ass into your Bentley, take her to the ER, and call Silana en route.”
“So if she looks ‘remotely alive,’ what do you want me to do?”
“Just get her to eat some food.”
“What does she like to eat?”
“Stop by Dréa’s, tell her you’re there to pick up an order for Aloha, and she’ll fix you up. I’ll pay you back.”
“No need.”
“Yes, need. I’ve never been a kept woman and I’m not about to start now.”
“As always you find a way to be difficult for no damn reason. It’s not even for you.”
“Whatever. I’m still paying you back…and Imax?”
Feeling her hesitation, he answered. “Yes?”
“Don’t get on Aloha’s nerves. Just take her the food and act as if you don’t notice that she’s not well.”
“I’m not supposed to notice that she’s ill?”
“No, she doesn’t like anyone to see her vulnerable.”
“That’s insane.”
“Yeah, well insane is what Aloha does best. Just tell her that I told you to drop the food by. While you’re there, trot out that stellar personality of yours and keep her company for a bit.”
“I’m purposely choosing to ignore that dig about my personality for now. If I keep her company, how am I supposed to not notice that she’s unwell?”
“I’m purposely ignoring the fact that you think that you have a personality so stop being an ass, Imax. It doesn’t become you. Will you do it because the only reason that I’m asking you is because I absolutely have to deal with a situation.”
“And is that situation’s name, Steele?”
“No, but speaking of Steele, he’s quite fond of Aloha. If you’re too busy, I can call Steele and ask him to check on her.”
Everything within him went still. “Only do that if things aren’t going well between you and Steele because if I catch any man at my woman’s home the very least they should expect is an ass-whipping.”
“So you’re going to see about her?”
“You know that I will.”
“Thanks. Imax, I know you’re busy, and that sometimes you get tired of my many demands, but I trust you with Aloha.”
Ianikut almost gasped upon hearing Atlanta’s admission. He knew that she was what Southerners call ‘right particular’ about her best friend. “Atlanta, I’m glad that you trust me enough to ask. I will do nothing to violate that trust.”
Hearing what he didn’t say, Atlanta responded, “I know and I love you too, Imax. Now go take care of our girl.”
“I will,” he fervently declared. Forever, his heart threw in.
* * * * *
Ringing the doorbell, Ianikut was surprised to see the state that his angel was in. Only his damnably quick reflexes allowed him to catch her before she fell to the floor, while maintaining a grip on the food. What the hell was wrong with her?
After lifting her into his arms, he surveyed the surroundings. His keen senses told him that Aloha hadn’t been up and about. The electronics section was silent; all the screens black and even her favorite sleeping place looked remarkably untouched.
“Aloha, where did you sleep?”
“Bedroom…the trampoline moves, and all of my two thousand parts hurt when I move about.”
If she slept in the bedroom she was definitely hurting. “When was the last time that you ate?” He settled her into bed.
“Dunno. Ianikut, stop talking to me. Even listening causes stuff to hurt.”
Laying her gently upon the bed, he ignored her last demand and asked, “What did you do to yourself?”
“I tripped down the two stairs that lead to my baby’s resting place.”
Knowing that her baby was her Ferrari, he asked, “You fell on your car?”
“Don’t ask asinine questions. I made a vow to protect my baby and she made a vow to serve me in return.”
“Is anything broken?”
“Nah, everything just hurts, but it might’ve been worse if I’d hurt my car. I might’ve chipped her paint and she’s the color of candied apples.”
“How long have you been laid up?”
“Two days.”
“You’ve been in bed for two days?”
“Yeah, but I still have four more days to create the virtual universe,” she teased.
“You haven’t eaten, have you? Have you even played video games?”
“Ianikut, leave me alone. I know that Atlanta sent you over here to check on me. So now that you’ve checked, you may go,” she winced in obvious pain.
“Angel moya, I’m sorry. I’m just concerned,” he said as he lay down with Aloha.
“What are you doing?”
“Ke
eping you safe,” he said as he settled his considerable form next to his petite angel.
“What will people say?”
“You mean about me being in your bed for the second time in only four or five meetings?”
“Yeah, that. Even though I want you, I’m not a slut, Ianikut.”
“I wouldn’t be here if I thought you were.”
“Are you a slut? Because I don’t need a man who has slept his way across the universe.”
Not sure how he should respond to her question, he opted for plain truth. “I’ve enjoyed the bodies of many women, angel moya, but I’m finicky in my choice of partners. Will you hold my past against me?”
“Will you hold my past against me? Though I too am finicky in my choice of partners, I’ve had sexual partners.”
Imagining another man enjoying the pleasures of her delectable body wasn’t something that Ianikut wanted to consider. It was so much easier when women remained chaste and saved their virginity for their husbands. Men didn’t have to consider things such as how they stacked up in the size or pleasure departments. Still, he was the Ianikut Maksim and he was more than sure of his ability to pleasure this woman ‑‑ his angel.
“No, I won’t hold it against you but I’ll make you forget every damn man that came before me.”
“You seem so serious, Ianikut.”
“I can be no other way when it comes to something that I crave so badly.”
“Since you admitted craving me, I’m going to ignore the fact that you referred to me as a something.”
“You can’t be mad because you’re not just any something, but my something. Now rest, since you won’t eat any of the food that I brought for you.”
“I’m only resting because I feel like it ‑‑ not because you suggested it.”
Ianikut answered, after he stopped chuckling, “I don’t suggest, angel moya.”
* * * * *
Aloha wasn’t one of those come slowly awake people. Normally, she awoke all at once and jumped out of bed in pursuit of adventure and sugar. But then, she didn’t normally find herself waking atop six foot seven inches, two hundred fifty pounds of smoking hot man. Damn, she could feel Ianikut’s ridges of muscle. The man was rock hard and cut, and he was making her wet. Embarrassed by her reaction, she was about to jump off of him, when strong hands stayed her hips and his rumbling baritone damn near stopped her thought processes.
“Careful, angel moya. You’re still injured…and you have a handful of my hair.”
Aloha was so caught up in being atop him that she hadn’t realized that she had a handful of his locks in her hand. Damn, the man had beautiful hair. Biting her lip, she reluctantly released it. She was about to roll off of him when he sat up and carefully set her on the floor. “Thanks,” she mumbled.
Stretching, she realized that even though she was still sore, she was well rested and famished.
Ianikut interrupted her musings. “How do you feel, angel?”
“Better. I can’t believe that I slept so well.”
“That’s because you slept next to me.”
“Get over yourself. Are you leaving now?”
“Are you fully recuperated?”
Blowing out a frustrated breath, she pouted. “Why do you insist on being an ass?”
“Why is it that I’m always something unpleasant whenever I don’t agree with you?”
“Genetics?”
“No, angel moya. It’s genetics that makes me unconquered and great. It’s simply your bias that makes you act so mean toward me.”
“Bias implies prejudice. I’m not prejudiced. I’m simply honest and let you know that despite all of your fineness that the world doesn’t revolve around you.”
“If you’re not biased, then you must be scared of me.”
“Ianikut, I’m so not scared of you that it isn’t even funny.”
“Really?”
Aloha should’ve paid attention to the careless way he asked that, but no, she was too full of indignation to heed the warning he was tossing out. “Yeah, really,” she said with a hand on her hip and sass in her voice.
Aloha didn’t back up even when she saw Ianikut rise and stalk toward her. They both knew that he wouldn’t ever harm her. She watched as he reached out and lightly caressed her. Involuntarily, she shuddered.
“If you’re not scared of me, then why do you tremble when I touch you? Why does your heart beat faster when I approach you?” he whispered in her ear before lightly nipping her earlobe.
Damn, that motherfucker had her, and he knew it. Still, she wasn’t going to admit it. “Because.”
“Because what, angel moya?” he whispered as he gently pulled her slight form against him and massaged her back.
“I don’t know. Stop talking to me and keep rubbing my back,” she demanded as she dug her nails into his forearms. She was startled when she felt Ianikut lift her and place her facedown on the bed. Purrs fell from her lips before she could muster a single protest. Ianikut had magic hands and lips, and he knew how to use them. Laying his head on her back, he lifted the back of her shirt and traced imaginary patterns with his tongue, kissed her hurts better, and gently caressed her until she went completely soft. Kissing his way up her spine, he pulled her to him and tucked his head into her shoulder. Turning over, she entwined her fingers with his and snuggled into his chest, enjoying his strength and gentleness. Though she was comfortable, she was also scared that she was enjoying Ianikut’s presence too much.
“Ianikut, I feel fine now,” she began but ceased talking when he shot her a mean look. Aloha decided that she didn’t care for that look one bit.
“Yes, angel, you do feel fine, and I cannot wait until you are fully healed so that I can feel the rest of you.”
“Yeah, but I’m just saying that you can go now.”
“I know what you’re saying, and I’m ignoring it. You aren’t well, and I’m not leaving you to your own devices when you could further injure yourself.”
“Ianikut, I’m not dying. There’s no reason for you to stay while I recuperate. Thanks to you, I now have enough food to feed a family of five for two weeks. I think that I can manage on my own, although I appreciate your willingness to babysit me.”
“I’m sure that you could manage on your own, but it’s not going to happen. You don’t even have the strength to turn on your game,” he spat and nodded toward her dormant X-Box 360. “Now what you’re going to do is lie quietly while I get your dinner together. Then you are ‑‑ emphasis on the word ‘are’-- going to eat. Knowing your affinity for Skittles, that’s all you’ve consumed for the last few days. After that you’re going back to bed to rest.”
“Ianikut, you aren’t my grandmother, my mother, or my father so you can’t tell me what to do!”
“You’re right I’m not your grandmother because if I were, I would’ve hauled your ass to the doctor when your little accident occurred. And if I were your father, I would’ve married you off a long time ago to a man who was man enough to handle you. You need a man who can look into those obsidian eyes and tell you no.”
“Let me know when you find a man that you think can make me do any damn thing,” she challenged as she very carefully rose from the bed.
* * * * *
Equally incensed, Ianikut edged closer to his angel, taking note that she held her ground. Those who had even an inkling of the power that was an inherent part of him and the danger that lurked just below the surface would’ve retreated a few steps, but not her. He could appreciate that kind of valor in a man but witnessing that fearlessness in her only served to piss off both him and the beast. Dammit, not only was she injured, but she was a woman. More importantly, she was his woman.
Ianikut stalked her and gently grabbed her around the waist before lifting her up to his eye level. He paid no heed to her indignant gasp as he informed her, “Look no further, Aloha. I’m that man. Now that you have found me, what will you do with me?” He smirked.
He smirked beca
use he could…and because he knew that it would piss her off. A pissed off Aloha was an intensely beautiful Aloha. Those intelligent eyes flashed caveats and those succulent lips delivered threats that only served to turn him on. Visions of her letting go of that temper and control taunted him. She was simply glorious in her passion.
Ianikut watched various emotions play across her beautiful visage. While other women might sigh and go soft at his display of dominance, he had a feeling that Aloha’s brilliant, lunatic mind had kicked into high gear. Staring at her, he witnessed the battle taking place in her eyes and waited to see which emotion would win. It was rage, and his cock went instantly hard. As soon as she opened that delectable mouth to deliver what he was sure would be a good and proper cussing out, he swooped down, thrust his tongue in between her lips, and took control of her mouth and her breathing.
It was adorable the way that she thought for one second that he was leaving her house without her by his side. He could imagine the Posse sending over some other male to tend to Aloha. And then, he could imagine the carnage when he was forced to kill them for being in his territory. Aloha was definitely his territory. Any male who wanted to continue living better recognize that. Sighing, he knew that he had a fight on his hands making her accept that, but he would because not only was he a patient hunter, he was an unrelenting vampire who didn’t know the meaning of quit.
Sighing, he cleared his head and concentrated on their kiss. Cusswords had never tasted so sweet. Still, he realized that he might’ve pushed her too far too soon and offered an apology as he gentled his kiss. “Forgive me, angel moya. I didn’t mean for this to get out of hand. I’m merely concerned for you, and that makes me just a little bit out of control.”
* * * * *
Aloha had to use every last synapse she possessed in order to convince her body to peel itself off of Ianikut. Damn this fine motherfucker and the way he was bringing it. What the fuck was he up to? She was all set to kick his ass when she heard his apology. Her temper immediately waned as Ianikut backed off. “I appreciate the help, but I know that you have stuff to do at your own home.”
“That’s correct but I can delegate the tasks that need to be completed. However, I won’t delegate my duties to you.”
