Big Bad Boss (Romance)
Page 26
“Feel better now?” he asked, the words tinged with his own rage.
“Maybe. Do you?”
“Hell no,” he confessed hotly. “I’d love to go back there and break his teeth, but I’ll resist the urge. It’s bad enough I had to deal with—” he clamped his mouth shut so fast his teeth clacked together.
“Deal with what?” Kris asked. “Is this why you’ve been off all day?”
He hung his head and nodded. “I wasn’t going to tell you. I thought it’d only upset you more.”
“What happened? Was Roy at the garage earlier?”
“No, your parents were,” he told her stiffly. “They wanted to ask you for collateral for some shitty deal, and they asked me for money, but I told them to get out of town and leave you alone for good.”
Kris stared at him blankly then raised up on her toes and kissed him. “You did something I’ve never been able to do,” she said as she pulled back. “And you didn’t have to do it.”
“Yes, I did,” he said, smoothing her hair back from her face. “I’m not going to let anyone hurt you—ever, not while I’m around.” He kissed her forehead and hugged her closely. They stayed in their embrace, oblivious to the rest of the world for a few minutes before Kris slung her arm around his waist and they strolled to the garage. She unlocked the door, and they entered, Edmund going straight to the fridge for beers.
“Well, this night did not turn out as I hoped,” she mused, hopping up on the worktable.
“You did successfully kick my ass at darts,” he said as he handed her a beer. “I think that qualifies as a good night.”
“I guess you’re right.” She hunched forward. “I’m sorry you have to deal with my messes. Between Roy and my parents, I’m not sure which one’s worse.”
“I haven’t had a good bar fight in years,” he said wistfully.
“You were in bar fights?” she asked skeptically.
“Did you not see how easily I knocked him out?”
She nodded slowly. “Yeah, but he’s Roy. He’s a damn marshmallow under all that fluff.”
He set his beer down and leaned on her thighs with his hands. “You are killing my buzz right now,” he remarked. She leaned closer and licked his lips with a wink. He spread her legs wider so he could fit between them and cupped her cheeks in his hands. “Maybe not.”
Kris’s toes curled in her boots when his mouth claimed hers and his tongue immediately rubbed against hers. She set her beer down before she dropped it and grabbed his belt loops to pull him even closer. He lifted her shirt over her head in one smooth move, and his hands gripped her breasts, heavy with want. He didn’t even have to touch them for her nipples to harden beneath the lace and draw his gaze. Kris’s chest lifted with each deep breath as he slid her bra straps tenderly down her shoulders, kissing a trail of pure fire along her shoulders and lower to the soft mounds. Her head fell back as he dragged the lace aside and rolled her nipple with his tongue, drawing it into his mouth with one hard suck.
She pressed his head against her body as her hand dug through his hair and the other gripped the edge of the table. Edmund kissed and fondled her breasts until he grunted in annoyance at her bra and unhooked it, tossing it aside with her shirt. He buried his face between them again, kneading and massaging until the pool of want grew to impossible levels low in her belly. Her panties were soaked through, and her vision blurred with each flick of his tongue against the sensitive pink flesh. His lips found hers again, and hungrily, she kissed him, sucking hard on his tongue until one of his hands fisted in her hair as his other followed her curves, roaming over every inch of exposed skin as if she was the most beautiful thing he had ever witnessed in this world.
Panting for air, Edmund’s hand slipped to her jeans and unbuttoned them before sliding down the zipper. He cleared any tools behind Kris quickly and laid her back. He lifted her ass so he could remove the rest of her clothing with one good tug. The cool air of the garage hit her soaked and swollen lips as Edmund spread her legs wider to gaze upon her cleft. He blew a warm breath against her, and she shivered, her hands groping her breasts while his massaged up her thighs, squeezing as he reached her hips and gliding back down again.
“I never thought I’d use my work table for this,” she whispered raggedly.
Edmund chuckled darkly and licked her inner thigh, stopping just short of where she wanted to feel him the most. She squirmed with desire, but he licked her other thigh next. She cupped her breasts, tugging on her nipples as his gaze raked over her. Her eyes locked on his, and his tongue spread her folds and entered her, going as deeply as he could before drawing back out and circling her clit. Her back arched at the sudden flare of pure pleasure, and he did it again, over and over, until she pinched her nipples hard and her hips bucked off the table. He held her steady while his mouth rode out the orgasm with her until she was utterly spent and collapsed on the table in a gasping mess.
He straightened and ran his hands up her body, tracing each rib languidly until he reached her shoulders and down her arms to her hands. Gently, he pulled her into a sitting position, and she rested her head on his shoulder, trying to catch her breath as her heart raced. Her hands slipped beneath his shirt, and he helped her remove it from his body so she could kiss his chest, flicking her tongue against his nipples to make him squirm. She pushed him back and hopped down from the table, circling his body as her hands stroked his arms. Already, she grew wet for his touch again and from the bulge in his jeans, he was more than ready to give her exactly what she wanted—but she wanted him in more ways than one. Licking her lips, she reached his front again, undid his jeans, and shoved them down, sinking to her knees in front of him. He barely had a chance to grasp what she was doing before he filled her mouth.
“Jesus,” he cursed on a groan as his hands buried in her hair. “Kris.”
She licked from base to tip and back again, following the vein protruding along the side. She dug her nails into his hips as she drew him into the warmth of her mouth again, loving how his legs tensed and he muttered continually under his breath. The past few hours drifted away, and she no longer cared about Roy or her parents or the rest of the bloody town. She was going to love this man unconditionally as he loved her. This was her life and no one else’s. He swelled in her mouth, and when she grabbed him with one hand to increase his pleasure, he gripped her shoulders and dragged her to her feet. The predatory gaze in his eyes made her breath catch with excitement as he guided her backwards and turned her around.
She leaned on the hood of her unfinished car as he spread her legs with his knee. She gasped when he rubbed his thick cock against her silken folds, and as he braced one foot on the hood of the car and held her hips steady, he thrust all the way home. Kris moaned as her nipples tightened, and she clenched him hotly in her depths.
He pulled all the way out, and she whined at the loss, wanting him back where he belonged. He obliged her a moment later as he wrapped one hand in her long hair and tugged gently. Kris nibbled her tongue at the pleasure building in her belly with each deep thrust. She pressed her hands hard on the hood of the car, her nails digging into the metal as she struggled to not let go so soon. But his hand let go of her hair and reached around, rolling her bundle of nerves between his fingers. She cried out instantly, and his grunt of pleasure turned into a yell as he pounded into her, holding her against his body as they embraced the intense orgasm together.
“Damn,” he whispered, and she nodded slowly in agreement. “I don’t think I can walk.”
She giggled as her knees wobbled. He clutched her to his body to keep her from falling over. “Same.” She narrowed her eyes at the couch. “Think we can make it there?’
“Maybe,” he whispered, sucked in a deep breath, and scooped her into his arms.
She laughed as he stumbled across the garage to the couch and deposited her on it before she pulled him down to her. They snuggled against each other, their laughter echoing off the metal walls as their bodies recovere
d.
“I guess I can say my car’s been christened now,” she said. “Yours, on the other hand…” She trailed off as her fingers drifted down his chest and lower before he caught her hand.
“He needs a moment,” he grunted and lifted her onto his lap. “How did I ever manage to live without you?”
“I was thinking the same thing,” she mused as their lips met in a sweet kiss. “I guess eventually, we have to get back to the inn. We’ll give Charlie or Frank a heart attack if they walk in on us like this in the morning.”
“It’s Sunday,” he reminded her.
“Charlie’s like me, though. He works too much, although with you in town, I’d say I’ve slacked. I only went running two mornings this week.” She shook her head. “Look what you’ve done to me.”
He lay his head back on the couch. “That’s what I’m good for—total distraction so you can enjoy yourself.”
“You can distract me anytime you want,” she told him and closed her eyes, letting the beating of his heart lull her to drift off to sleep.
At some point, she remembered Edmund laughing quietly, and as she mumbled sleepily, he helped her dress in her jeans and shirt before he carried her across the street. He said something to her, but the words were lost as sleep took her again. She curled up under the covers on a bed with the man she loved beside her.
Chapter 14
A phone rang somewhere in the dark, and Edmund reached towards the nightstand, but it wasn’t there and the ringing stopped. He yawned and rolled back over, draping his arm over Kris when the phone rang again and he shot up, glaring at the phone on the desk. He staggered to it, trying to get to it before Kris woke up.
“What?” he whispered.
“Edmund, it’s your father,” Edward announced. “There’s been an accident. You need to come home.”
“Accident?” he asked, rubbing his eyes to drive the sleep from them. “You and Mom?”
“No, we’re fine. It’s Tommy. His sister tried calling you but kept getting voicemail.”
Edmund froze. Tommy had been in an accident? “Dad, how bad is he?”
Edward sighed heavily. “I’m not sure yet, but it’s bad. Just get here as soon as you can.”
“I will,” he said and hung up. Frantically, he glanced around the room and picked up his clothes, hurrying to put them on as his worry about losing his best friend overshadowed everything else. He had to get the garage and get his car, then take off for Louisville. If he left now, he’d be there in a few hours, at most.
“Ed?” Kris asked as she sat up blinking. “What’s wrong?”
“Tommy was in an accident. I have to go,” he said quickly and grabbed his boots. “It’s not good, and I have to be there in case… I just have to be there.” He tried to stop himself from thinking of losing Tommy, but once the idea took hold, he couldn’t shake it.
Kris hopped out of bed and dressed just as quickly, flipping on the light. “Do you need anything besides clothes?”
“No, I just have to get my car.”
“Your car has no engine, and you are in no state to drive,” she said as she picked up her cell and held it to her ear. “Dennis? Hey, I need to borrow your truck,” she murmured. “Edmund’s got an emergency back home… thanks, see you soon.”
Edmund held his face in his hands, forcing the tears pricking his eyes to hold off. “I can drive, really.”
“No, I’m going with you, and that’s final,” she ordered. “And don’t you dare think of arguing with me.”
He closed his mouth, got to his feet, and hugged her. “I guess you get to meet the family a little earlier than planned.” She stiffened in his arms for a second then relaxed.
“No worries. If I can handle my family, I’m pretty sure I can handle yours,” she said. “Ready?”
Edmund prayed to God Tommy would live as he and Kris left the room. Dennis pulled up a minute later and handed the keys to Kris. “Text me when you get there,” he told her and kissed her cheek. He held out his hand to Edmund, then pulled him into a one-armed hug. “We’ll pray for him.”
“Thanks, man,” Edmund said thickly as he climbed into the truck. Kris hurried around to the driver’s side. She hopped in, started the engine, and they took off for the interstate, leaving Green Valley far behind.
He didn’t speak, and Kris, thankfully, did not bombard him with questions about Tommy and what was going on. She just drove as he did his best not to break down completely in the car. When they were halfway there and the sun was finally up, she reached across the center console to hold his hand tightly in hers. They stayed connected the rest of the drive until she asked for directions to the hospital. He relayed them quietly, struggling to keep it together now that they had arrived. She parked the truck and took his hand again.
“Tell me what to do,” she offered. “If you want me to wait out here, I will.”
“No,” he said immediately. “No, I need you in there with me, please. I don’t think… If anything happens to him, I’m not sure I’ll be able to…” He couldn’t finish the thought and hung his head. Kris lifted the console and scooted over to hold him against her chest. She made soothing noises and ran her hand over his head, giving him her strength as he sucked in a deep breath.
Tommy and he weren’t just friends. They were more like brothers, causing trouble since they were toddlers. The only time they had been apart was when Tommy shipped out, and even then, he would call when he could. Edmund always made sure to send him letters and packages to brighten his days before he made it back to the US. He smiled, remembering how Tommy always bragged to everyone about his bromance with Edmund and how no one would ever come between that. Unless he lost his fight on the table today.
“I think I’m ready,” he said and straightened. Kris smiled encouragingly, and they walked into the hospital waiting room together. He wasn’t sure who would be there, but Kris was not leaving his side for an instant. “Excuse me, I’m looking for a patient brought in this morning?”
“Name, please?” the nurse asked.
“Edmund! There you are,” he heard his mom exclaim and thanked the nurse quickly as he turned to greet her. She tried to hug him, but he refused to let go of Kris’s hand so it turned into more of a one-armed, awkward hold. Sarah shot a glance at Kris, then at their clasped hands. “Tommy is still in surgery. We’re up on the second floor.”
“Are his parents here?” Edmund asked as he hurried towards the elevators.
“Of course, and his sister. She was with him when it happened,” Sarah said. “The poor thing is all banged up, but she’ll be fine. They’re not so certain about Tommy yet.”
“Mom, this is Kris. We’re, um, dating. Kris, this is Sarah Eastwood, my mom,” he introduced quickly, tapping his toe impatiently. When the elevator took too long, he turned towards the stairwell.
“Nice to meet you,” Kris called as Sarah stood frozen by the elevator. “I don’t think your mom’s too happy right now.”
“I don’t care,” he muttered.
They ran up the two sets of stairs to the second floor and followed the signs for the waiting room. He spotted Edward, Tommy’s parents, Bob and Linda, and Tommy’s little sister Beth.
“Edmund!” Beth said and rushed to hug him. Only then did he release Kris’s hand so he could hold the one woman in the world he truly considered family. “It was terrible! The other driver was drunk… He came across the road!”
“Shh, it’s fine. Tommy’s tough,” he assured her as he held her close. “He’s been blown up, remember?”
She laughed through her tears as he set her back on her feet. She glanced at Kris, and being the kind-hearted woman Edmund knew her to be, she introduced herself quietly as Edmund’s girlfriend and told Beth she was so sorry and that the whole town was praying for her brother. Beth took her hands and hugged her too, crying even harder on Kris’s shoulder. Edmund let them be and went to Bob and Linda, hugging them each in turn.
“What happened?” he asked.
Linda patted his shoulder, tears streaming down her face. “He will. He’s strong, remember? Thank you for getting here so fast,” she told Edmund and held his hand. “Tommy will be happy to see you once he’s awake.”
Edmund nodded, the shock wearing off, and grief settled in its place. He ran a hand down his face and paced back and forth until Kris appeared. Without a word, she wrapped her arms around him. He hugged her back, resting his cheek on her head, and closed his eyes.
“Edmund, would you care to introduce me to your new friend?” Edward asked gently behind him. “Your Mom said she’s your new girlfriend.”
“Can’t this wait?” Edmund muttered.
“I just want to know who my son is dating,” Edward replied, and when Edmund faced him, his dad’s face lacked any hint of annoyance or rudeness—just plain curiosity, and maybe even happiness?
Edmund wasn’t sure, but he shifted so Kris could shake hands with his dad. “This is Kris… Kristen Rivers.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” he said and kissed the back of her hand.
“Same,” she replied. She glanced at his suit, and Edmund frowned when her cheeks reddened. “We sort of threw on clothes and drove straight here.”