Angels & Whiskey

by Kimberly Knight

  “Hey, princess. Having fun with your dad?”

  I closed my eyes. He knew I was with Dad and not both my parents. I knew I needed to tell him where we went before he asked. “I am. Dad wanted to take a break, so I went with him to the range.”

  “He’s good isn’t he?”

  I breathed a sigh of relief. He had eyes on me, but it didn’t seem as if they went inside. “He is. He taught me how to shoot a few rounds.”

  “So you want to start going to the range?” I thought I could hear a smile in his voice.

  Laughing I said, “Maybe. I did look pretty badass.”

  “I bet sexy as hell too.”

  “Well, that would be weird for Dad to say.” I giggled.

  “True. All right, princess. I’ll see you when I get home. I’ll be home by eight. Love you.”

  “Love you too.”

  After hanging up the phone, I walked inside and said goodbye to my parents before going home to start dinner. I needed to make sure it was ready when he got home so he’d stay in a good mood.

  Chapter Ten

  Gabe

  After Autumn had left the coffee shop, I headed back to Club 24 and worked out with Jackson. I needed to run off some of my sexual frustration. When I’d stepped closer to her and whispered in her ear, I wanted to taste her skin. She smelled like heaven—in more ways than one. But what really got me was the feel of her soft skin, even if it was only her wrist underneath her oversized sweatshirt. Sure I feel the skin of soft women a few times a week, but there was something about the touch of Autumn.

  After running for five miles, I stepped off and joined Jackson in the weights section.

  “Maybe you should stop going to Starbucks,” Jackson said while doing a bicep curl.

  “P.J., when was the last time I’ve ever been this interested in a woman?”

  “But she’s married.”

  “To an asshole who hits her.”

  He shook his head. “You don’t know that.”

  “I’m pretty certain. He even has spies following her.”

  His questioning eyes drifted to me as he set the dumbbell back on the rack. “Then how do you plan to even talk to her? You’ll need to do that before you can convince her to leave her husband for you.”

  I thought for a moment, doing a few curls. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. How can I be in a relationship with our profession?”

  He chuckled. “Well, that’s what you need to think about before you go running off, chasing this chick all over town.”

  I moved over to the lat bar, doing a few pulls. “I think about her all the time. I dream about her. Last night I dreamt about her and Alyssa—together.”

  “Sexually?”

  “Almost.” I smiled.

  “Huh,” he huffed, rubbing his chin. “I’m not an expert on dreams, but maybe it’s your subconscious telling you that it’s okay to let Alyssa go?”

  I didn’t respond. The thought was gut-wrenching, even if she was never coming back.

  “Before you do anything stupid—or more stupid for that matter, you need to seriously consider the consequences if you pursue Autumn. She’s married and you date women for a living.”

  “I know,” I muttered. “If anything, I want to help her leave this guy. If she can’t get past what I do for a living, then it’s not meant to be. But at least she won’t be in an abusive relationship anymore.”

  “You don’t even know if that’s the case.”

  “I know,” I confirmed. “Trust me, I know.”

  That night, I did an experiment and fell asleep without drinking my daily dose of whiskey. I’d read once that, “Most commonly, dreams are a reflection of the minds natural subconscious process of organizing and resolving the information of the day.” I still thought about Alyssa often throughout the day, but it felt as if my heart was finally trying to heal.

  Opening my back office on the computer, I read my date information. I was to meet my client at the blackjack table at The Palazzo where she’d give me a key to her room. Her name was Jennifer. She had dark brown hair and light brown eyes, and she’d be wearing a white tank top with studs along the straps.

  I dressed casually in jeans and a black T-shirt, knowing this was just for a fuck. Once I arrived at the hotel/casino, I walked to the card tables in search of Jennifer. Her back was to me as I stepped closer, but I knew it was her from the way her white tank top hugged her body.

  The closer I got, the more I could hear her laughing with the men at the table. I stepped up behind her, noticing she had a blackjack and was waiting for the other hands to be dealt. I placed a hand on her shoulder and she turned, knocking the breath from my lungs.

  “Autumn?”

  “Hey, Gabe. Here’s the room key. I’ll be up in a few minutes.”

  I stood there, not speaking and theoretically confused. She knew? Autumn knew what I did for a living? How? When? I should have asked her, but my words failed me. I stared at her as she placed a bet and waited for her new cards. My gaze drifted to her arms where I didn’t see any bruises.

  “Seriously, I’ll be up in a few minutes.” She ran her hand down my bare arm and I took a deep breath, loving the feel of her skin on my skin.

  I nodded and glanced at the room key. I noted the room number and walked to the elevators, not saying anything further to Autumn as she continued to win. My head was spinning as I rode the elevator up to the forty-seventh floor. After finding the room, I slipped the key in and walked inside. The room was filled with candles that were lit and placed sporadically around the large space. Rose petals were scattered over the bed and onto the floor and the room smelled like vanilla.

  The view … Fuck, the view was perfect—perfect for my first time with Autumn. The lights of the Las Vegas Strip lit up the entire street, filling the room with a mixture of colors.

  As I stepped closer to take in the view, the door opened behind me and I turned, watching Autumn walk in.

  “How—”

  “Shh, no talking. I want to fuck you. I’ve wanted to fuck you since I first saw you.” She started to strip out of her white tank top. “Gabe, you need to take your clothes off. This would work a lot better if we were both naked.”

  “I’m so confused,” I stated.

  “I’ll explain after. But right now, I just really want to fuck you.” Her bra went next then she started unzipping her jeans after kicking off her heels.

  Before I knew it, we were both naked with her arms wrapped around my neck and her lips pressed against mine. She tasted good—so fucking good. Like vanilla ice cream.

  “I’ve wanted to do this since I first saw you, too,” I confessed. “Your eyes aren’t light brown like you told my boss.” I smiled against her lips, trying to get any info I could.

  She pulled her head back a little then whispered in my ear, “Stop talking. I want you to fuck me against the window behind you.”

  “What if your husband sees?”

  “Let him. I don’t care anymore.”

  I stared into her hazel eyes for a beat. “Put your hands on the glass and wait for my dick then, angel.”

  Like most mornings, I woke up hard, but I didn’t wake up panting. I didn’t wake up in a pile of sweat, and I didn’t wake up screaming. I woke up hard as fuck and aching for Autumn.

  After taking my boxers off, I wrapped my hand around my dick while picturing her full lips as she leaned forward, parting to take my cock into her mouth. I groaned as my hand pumped a few times, a bead of pre-cum glistening the tip. I thought about her using her hand in place of mine while her tongue licked the underside and across the crown to taste my arousal.

  My hand stroked faster, warming my shaft as I imagined her warm, wet mouth swallowed my dick. My fist worked up and down, mimicking what I’d want her to do.

  I stroked.

  I pumped.

  I twisted my hand, coating my shaft with my arousal.

  I thought about the way she’d look up at me from between my legs. Her long,
brown hair would tickle my inner thighs as she bobbed. Her warm breath would tingle me as she came up for air; her beautiful, luscious lips squeezing my dick as I was on the verge of coming into her mouth. I groaned my release, my cum squirting on my stomach as I continued to think about her.

  I lay there still imagining her and thinking it was the best hand job I’d ever given myself.

  After a quick breakfast, Jackson and I headed to Club 24. It was early, especially since he’d had a date the night before, but he wanted to go in case Autumn was there. He wasn’t going to go as my wingman, but as backup in case her husband’s spies did anything.

  Hopefully, his spies were required to remain in the distance and report shit to him because I had every intention of getting her alone. I wanted her to open up to me. I knew I might be pushing it since she knew nothing about me. If I forced her or came off creepy, she’d likely would never want to talk to me again.

  “Are you going to actually talk to her if she’s here?” Jackson asked, opening his passenger side door of my Yukon.

  “I should right?”

  “You need to play it cool. Yesterday didn’t go as planned.”

  “Well, I talked to her,” I reminded him as I opened the door.

  “Congratulations. You’ve graduated middle school.”

  “Fuck you.” I laughed.

  We entered the gym, stopping at the desk to check-in, then like the day before, we split up in search of Autumn. Yeah—I was a fucking stalker, but I had good intentions. I was trained to protect and, deep down, I knew she needed protecting.

  I spotted her on the treadmill and flashbacks of my dream crossed my mind. I was certain I would die if she turned and said she’d been waiting for me to show, but in all honesty, I wanted her to say that to me.

  She glanced over as I stepped onto the treadmill next to her. I smiled then held my breath, waiting to see if my dream would come true. Instead her eyes widened, then she looked back in front of her.

  Fuck …

  I started the treadmill with a brisk walk for a few minutes then into a steady jog. I watched her out of the corner of my eye, waiting for her to leave because she didn’t want to be seen talking to me or around me. Instead, she continued to run until her three miles were over.

  She stopped the treadmill and I glanced at her, still holding my jogging pace. She was looking at me, but quickly turned her head. I thought she’d leave since she was done, but instead, she stepped off the treadmill and stopped behind me. My feet faltered a little as I tried to turn my head to see her, but I couldn’t.

  After a few beats, she started to walk then stopped again. I could finally see her through the reflection of the mirrors in front of me. She looked as if she were lost in thought and arguing with herself.

  Before I could stop the treadmill and talk to her, Jackson walked up. “Hey, Autumn. Fancy meeting you here.” He smiled then looked at me, using the mirrors so our eyes could meet. He was up to no good.

  “Hey, Paul. Good to see you again.”

  “My boy’s not being creepy is he?”

  I shot him a look as my blood started to boil. What the fuck?

  She smiled. “No. Actually,” she turned to me, “can I talk to you for a second? When you’re done with your workout, of course.”

  “I’m done,” I said, pressing the stop button and jumping off before the belt stopped moving.

  I gave a nod to Jackson as I walked by, following Autumn. He smiled wide with approval and I wanted to punch him as I passed him, but I refrained. I knew he was trying to break the ice with her, but seriously—what the fuck? Fucking prick.

  I didn’t ask Autumn where we were going. Instead, I just followed behind her as she walked down a few halls and then into a vacant racquetball court.

  “You want to play racquetball?” I questioned, looking around the high-walled room.

  “No. If I have spies watching me, they can’t hear us in here.”

  I nodded in approval. “Good thinking.”

  “Yesterday—”

  I cut her off. “I’m sorry if I was too forward—”

  “No,” she shook her head, cutting me off in return. “Just—your words hit me hard.”

  “I’m sorry,” I muttered. “I didn’t mean—”

  “Gabe, just listen to me. My husband doesn’t hit me. He grabs me—”

  “I knew it! That’s not any better.” I crossed my arms over my chest, spreading my legs wide as if I were ready to throw down. I was. I hated the thought of a woman being abused, especially the one standing in front of me.

  “Please, let me get this out before I lose my nerve.” She scrunched her eyes with a pleading look.

  I gestured for her to continue. “Again, I’m sorry.”

  “The other day, I finally told my best friend about my husband. She’s the only person I’ve told … until now. I’m done having him control me. One minute he’s screaming and hurting me, and the next he’s the sweetest man I’ve ever met.”

  I chuckle with sarcasm, shaking my head. Her husband sounded like a piece of work and I couldn’t wait to throttle the guy.

  “The day you saw me at Starbucks,” she continued, “I didn’t realize that my bruises were showing. I’ve never forgotten to hide them before.”

  “I was meant to see them,” I interjected.

  “Maybe.” She shrugged. “Something’s going on. The day I told Brandi, I ran into you and now everything feels as if it’s coming together. I bought a gun—”

  “You bought a gun?” I asked, my arms still crossed across my chest.

  “I don’t plan to use it. I just bought it to have it.”

  “I can teach you how to use it.”

  “You know how to use a gun?”

  I smiled. “I was in the army.”

  She paused for a beat, her eyes going wide.

  “What?” I asked.

  “So was my husband.” She closed her eyes and I wanted to wrap her in my arms. Maybe she thought I was a spy.

  “The army’s a big branch. I doubt I know him.”

  “Right.” She laughed. “Anyway, I think I do want your help. I know that seems weird—”

  “No, it doesn’t. Come stay with me and Jackson until we figure something …” I stopped talking when I realized how crazy that sounded. “Sorry, bad idea.”

  “I can’t just jump into leaving him. Things need to happen. If I just leave, he’ll find me.” She crossed her arms over her chest and looked away.

  “Because he’s powerful?”

  “Right.”

  “Who is he?” God I’d love to know who this motherfucker was so I could show him a piece of his own medicine. Seeing Autumn hurting was breaking me. Sure I was attracted to her, but with my past, I wasn’t sure if I could have a relationship. I knew, however, that I wanted to at least be friends with her. Maybe even friends with benefits.

  “It’s better that you don’t know and even better that I’m not seen with you.”

  “So you want to have a secret rendezvous?” I grinned.

  Her face turned bright red.

  “That’s a yes,” I flirted, my dick getting hard as I stared at her blushing face.

  “I’m married.”

  “That’s not a no, Autumn.”

  “Do you know what he’d do if he found out?”

  “I’ll protect you.”

  “You can’t protect me at night.”

  I felt my heart clench in my chest. The thought of her going home to her husband every night, and the thought of him hurting her, felt as if I were being repeatedly stabbed. “You have no idea how much the thought of that hurts me.”

  “If I’m on my best behavior, he’s fine.”

  I thought for a few moments before I spoke. “All right, here’s the plan. Paul and I will come up with a way to help you. It guts me that you have to go back to this asshole, but I get it. We’re going to figure this out. Every day we’re going to have a secret rendezvous here at the gym because I can’t get y
ou out of my head, and I’m going to kiss you after I stop talking because I’ve wanted to do that since the first time I saw you.”

  I took the two steps toward her and cupped her face in my hands. Before she could stop me, I brought my lips to hers. My tongue ran across the seam of her lips and she parted, granting me access. I heard myself groan as my tongue took its first swipe of her mouth. Her lips were a little salty from her sweat given she’d just run three miles, but she tasted fucking good.

  I expected her to pull back, maybe even slap me, but to my surprise, she didn’t. She stepped closer, wrapped her arms around my neck, and deepened the kiss. My hands slid down her sides and along her curves; my fingertips brushed along the smooth skin on her torso as her shirt rose up a little.

  I hated that we were in a room with fluorescent lights and I couldn’t do anything but kiss her. I wanted every one of my dreams to come true. Before I could pick her up so her legs could wrap around my waist and I could push her against the wall, she stepped back, breaking our kiss.

  “I can’t do this. What am I thinking?”

  “Angel, it’s okay. I’m sorry, I did that.”

  She stared at me, not saying anything. She didn’t move. Nothing.

  “It won’t happen again,” I confirmed.

  She ran her fingertips over her lips as if she could still feel my mouth on hers.

  “Angel, say something.”

  But she turned and walked away.

  Chapter Eleven

  Autumn

  Like most mornings, Rich woke me, telling me it was time to go to the gym. I had a little pep in my step as I got ready because I was hopeful I’d see Gabe. Rich asked me which tie he should wear to work and I chuckled; he only asked because of our previous fight. Biting my tongue, I picked the purple and black striped one that matched the purple shirt he was wearing.

  After he’d left for work, I changed into my workout clothes, making sure I put on a long-sleeved running shirt to hide my bruises. I’d never forget to hide them again.

  I hurried to the gym, and when I arrived I looked around the space, secretly hoping I’d see Gabe, but I didn’t. Starting my usual run, I was lost in thought when I saw him approach out of the corner of my eye.