Domino Effect

by Kristin Mayer

  He looked shocked. “Hey there, what are you doing here?”

  I held up the cups of coffee as the steam evaporated into the semi-cold air. “I brought Brandt a coffee. I hoped I could steal him away for a few minutes. He’s hardly been home.”

  Adam opened the door, and I stepped in. He scrubbed a hand down his face. “Umm—Brandt had a meeting across town and isn’t here. I think he’ll be back later this afternoon.” Alarms went off in my head. I was sure he said he’d be spending the day training the new employees. He continued, “If you want to stay here for a bit, you know you’re welcome.”

  Suddenly, my stomach was all knots, and I handed Adam the coffee. He had full-sleeve tattoos on his arms. “Here’s some coffee to enjoy since Brandt isn’t here. I’m going to head on out. It was good seeing you.”

  I plastered on a fake smile. I needed to call Brandt before I started voicing my concerns. He deserved the benefit of the doubt.

  “Good seeing you, too.” I started for the door when Adam called after me, “Nikola, is everything okay?”

  Looking back over my shoulder, I said, “Yes. I’m just missing Brandt and hoped to get a few stolen minutes. Better luck next time, huh?”

  Adam adjusted the coffee cups in his hand and watched me closely. Trigger walked over and gave me a small nod. Something seemed off with Adam, too. Normally, he was a balls-to-the-wall kind of guy, but he was hiding something.

  “Yeah, we should be done with the training soon. It’s going to mean a lot fewer hours for both of us.” Adam looked down at his phone as it started ringing.

  This was the perfect time for me to make my exit. I chuckled and said, “I’ll be ready for that. I’m headed to Grandmama’s. I’ll see you later.”

  “See ya, Nikola. Thanks for the coffee. Tell Anne I said hey.”

  Smiling once more before I left I said, “You bet.”

  I pushed open the large metal door. A light drizzle had begun, only adding to the dreariness of the day—and my mood. In this moment, I felt alone with no one to turn to. Everyone had so much on their plates, and it felt trivial for me to add to the worry with unfounded theories.

  After getting on the road to Grandmama’s, I decided to call Brandt. It was better to face it head on than ignore the situation. Connecting my Bluetooth, I dialed Brandt through the car’s interface. A slight crackling came over the speakers as the line connected. People ran along the sidewalk as the rain came down harder. The phone started ringing.

  Ring.

  Pause.

  Ring.

  Pause.

  Ring.

  “Hey, baby. Are you headed to Anne’s?”

  I took a deep breath, relieved to hear his soothing, normal-sounding voice. “I just left the club,” I said. “I brought you coffee, but Adam said you were at a meeting across town and wouldn’t be back until this afternoon. I thought you’d be training all day.”

  I sounded a tad accusatory, which made me feel guilty, but not enough to retract it. With my nerves standing on edge, the need to know won. Lately, any little thing seemed to magnify ten times.

  I heard Brandt take a deeper than normal breath. He’d definitely picked up on my tone. “Something came up, and I was needed across town. Is there something else going on here? Just say it, Nikola. Don’t start accusing me without a reason.”

  My anger flashed as I thought about his response and what I had been through. “You’ve been gone a lot. I’m getting very vague explanations. Of course, one of the first things I’m going to wonder about is drugs.”

  “I can’t fucking believe this. This is not what you think.”

  Those words were close to what he always said to me before and I recoiled in my car as if they were covered in acid as they absorbed into my ears. I stayed silent.

  “Nikola?”

  “Yes.” My voice was pointed.

  More silence followed. “Do you think I’m doing drugs?” I paused for a second too long. “Wow, I thought we’d moved past this. I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Brandt, don’t hang up.”

  The line was dead. I’d royally messed up, and a lump formed in my throat. Tears streamed down my face. Hitting Redial, I prayed he’d pick up for me. It went to voicemail. I tried again. Voicemail. And again. Voicemail. Panic rose in me.

  He wasn’t doing drugs, and I didn’t know why I’d accused him of it. Part of me felt off-balance, waiting for the other shoe to drop at any minute. Everything in my personal life hung by a thread, and I’d cut the only secure lifeline I had. I’d hurt the only man I’d ever loved.

  Maybe if I text him. I pulled over and swiped at my eyes.

  I texted Brandt.

  Me: I’m so sorry. I deserved that. I don’t think you’re doing drugs. It was wrong of me to jump to conclusions. Please talk to me.

  Brandt: I need a few minutes. Let me grab some coffee. I’ll call in a bit.

  Coffee. I knew where Brandt potentially was. I turned my car around and drove as fast as I could through all the traffic, weaving in and out as quickly as possible. Please, let him be there. Please. If Brandt was within a reasonable distance, he always went to our coffee shop. He loved Kennedy’s Coffee. The place was special for us, since we’d had both of our first dates there. I was within two minutes of the place as my heart raced. I increased my windshield wiper speed.

  Pulling in, I parked in one of the last spots. I scanned the parking lot for Brandt’s truck. Thunder rumbled in the distance. My heart soared when I saw his SUV parked off to the side at the alley entrance. I hopped out of the car and ran toward it. I looked at everyone who came out of the coffee shop doors. The rain became harder, and it soaked through my clothes. I didn’t care. A familiar body walked out, and my throat was dry as he ducked his head down and started running for his vehicle.

  I called out, “Brandt!” but the thunder and lightning drowned me out.

  Pushing my feet faster, I tried to catch up. He was in his car and about to start it when I practically slammed my body into the side of the vehicle and tapped on the window. Brandt jumped at the sound and had a shocked look on his face.

  “Nikola—”

  More thunder rolled through and I couldn’t hear what he said.

  I yelled, “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.”

  Brandt opened the door and stepped out onto the sidewalk. “What are you doing here?”

  “I couldn’t let that stand as it was. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean it. I don’t think you’re on drugs. Everything seems upside-down, and you’re the only thing that hasn’t fallen apart on me. I’m waiting for you to be taken from me, too.” My lip trembled as I spoke and the drops of rain mixed with my tears.

  Brandt’s strong arms brought me to him. “I’m never leaving you, Nikola. I know you have a lot going on with Anne and Wesley, who were there for you when I was in rehab, getting my shit together. But I’m here now, and I’m not leaving. Fuck. I shouldn’t have made my work week so busy. You’ve needed me, and I haven’t been there. I’m sorry, baby.”

  I hugged him closer, needing his heat as the cold water soaked through me. “You didn’t deserve that, Brandt. I’m so sorry. I love you.”

  Brandt held me tight. “I love you, too.”

  After a few minutes of holding each other, Brandt pulled back. As we looked into each other’s eyes, it felt like we were encapsulated in our own world.

  Without warning, his lips descended on mine and our tongues intertwined. We walked backward and all I cared about was being in Brandt’s arms.

  He’s was my forever and I was his. It didn’t matter where he was taking me as long as I was with him.

  NIKOLA CAME FOR me. She’d chased after me. Her doubting me cut me to the core. I know I’ll always be an addict, but I expected to be judged fairly, not accused. I shouldn’t have taken on all the extra work training a manger plus trying to get Nikola’s surprise ready. Deep down, I felt like I was running out of time, so I’d pushed forward, knowing this week w
ould be hard for us.

  Her tight body pressed against mine as the rain pelted our exposed skin. The sky had darkened around and there was a faint roll of thunder in the background. Our mouths devoured each other as our tongues collided.

  I needed Nikola.

  I wanted her.

  I had to have her now.

  When our mouths connected, instinct took over as I walked us backward into the alley past my vehicle. Nikola’s eyes were closed. I made sure no one was out here with us as we kept kissing. My hands began to roam and I found the smooth skin under her shirt. The shirt was tight, restricting my access to her tits. I guided us to a place between some crates back in the corner of the alley. Stepping back, I looked at Nikola. She wore the look that told me she wanted me as much as I wanted her. I was about to give her exactly what we needed.

  Her teeth grazed her lower lip as the rain came down harder. I couldn’t handle it anymore. I needed to see her. Grabbing the bottom of her shirt, I ripped the buttons off and they flew in every direction, soon lost in all the water. Nikola wore pale-pink bra. Her dark pink nipples stood out behind the lace. My left hand went to the clasp of her bra while the other crept under her loose skirt.

  I grazed her clit through the silky fabric of her panties and pushed.

  A moan emitted from Nikola’s throat. “Rip them off, Brandt. I need more.”

  The front clasp of the bra came undone; her luscious breasts spilled out. The rain found them and water beaded on her skin. Quickly, I tore the panties from Nikola’s body. My lips tasted her cherry-ripe points. They were firm and ready to be played with. My other hand dipped within Nikola’s warm pussy as she wrapped a leg around my waist, moving her hips, trying to get my fingers inside her, deeper. Keeping my touch on the edge of teasing, I heard a frustrated sound from Nikola.

  I released her breasts and got down on my knees, putting her hiked up leg over my shoulder. Water streamed down my face. The thunder grew louder as my lips made contact with her clit. Her wet warmth tasted like honey as Nikola ground on my face.

  “Brandt, give me my release.”

  Her demanding tone made me lighten the pressure. My hands went up to her hips as she tried to move closer to my tongue while I traced the rim of her sensitive bud.

  “Brandt, please. Please, ahh—”

  With her plea, I pushed in against her harder, tasting all of her.

  “Yes, Brandt! Yes!”

  I released Nikola’s hips, and she pushed against my tongue as her hips gyrated.

  Nikola was close as I pushed a finger inside her. My dick ached to be within her. As I began to feel her come, I moved my mouth to the opening of her pussy to lap up everything she gave me. I wasn’t able to hear any sounds from the storm that intensified around us. As I stood, I unzipped my pants to free my dick. Nikola leaned against the wall as her eyes fluttered shut. Her tits were half-covered by her torn shirt. I grabbed her ass and hoisted her to let my dick breach her entrance.

  I yelled, “You’re it for me, Nikola. Never doubt my love for you. I fucking love you with all that I am.”

  Her eyes snapped open at my words. It was similar to what I’d said last time we fucked in the alley. I remembered every part of each time we made love. They were the memories I treasured at night when I didn’t have Nikola with me. Those memories were what made spending time away from each other bearable.

  “Brandt, I remember, too. You have every part of me.”

  I entered her as our teeth collided in a heated kiss. The need to expel myself in her, to mark her as mine, reached an all-time high as we went crazy for each other. My cock throbbed on every upstroke, preparing for the explosion. My balls drew up, tight. Nikola’s inner walls quivered. It wasn’t going to be long. We were both burning for each other. My flesh felt like it was on fire, even though the cold rain saturated my clothing.

  Nikola bit my lip, and the pleasure-pain that coursed through me kept my dick rock hard and deep within her. From her gasps, I could tell I’d hit the spot that drove her wild; Nikola starting coming. We released ourselves. I loved knowing I was part of Nikola, that she had a piece of me inside her. We held each other. Lightning struck across the sky right over our heads.

  “Shit, I need to get you in my car. The weather is getting bad.” I pulled back. We were still alone in the alley. Nikola’s shirt was a wreck.

  Nikola drew her torn shirt together. “I have clothes in my car.”

  We were drenched. I yanked my shirt over my head and handed it to my girl. “Put this on. Give me your keys, and I’ll get your bag. I’ll meet you in my SUV.”

  “You were a little rough with my shirt.” Nikola giggled as she tugged on my T-shirt. At least she was covered. She handed me her keys from the pocket in her skirt. I shot her a cocky grin and winked.

  I grabbed her hand and started to jog toward the passenger side. I opened the car door and she got in. I kissed her. “You should have worn something that zipped up the front. It might have fared better.”

  The last time we’d been here, Nikola wore a dress that zipped down the front. Damn, I loved that dress. I shut the door and jogged down the sidewalk. Pressing the clicker for Nikola’s car, I saw the lights flash, giving away the location where she’d parked it. There was some whooping and hollering coming from the coffee shop window as someone banged on it. I turned to a group of women standing at the glass window, saying all sorts of stuff as they clapped and pointed. I glanced down and remembered I was shirtless. I chuckled and shook my head as I continued to the passenger side of the car. There was the black duffle bag Nikola used.

  Why is this packed?

  I grabbed it and jogged back to the car. The women were still at the window watching, so I gave a friendly wave, which resulted in more screaming behind the window. I will never understand females. Making it to my car, I unlocked it and got in.

  Nikola rubbed her hands over her arms as I cranked the car. “Shit, I should have started the car. Sorry.”

  “It’s okay.” She let out another giggle—one of the most wonderful sounds in the world. “I saw you had an entourage watching you. I’m one lucky lady.”

  I grinned, putting the car in drive to head to Anne’s. “I’m glad you think so.”

  Nikola started rummaging through the bag.

  “Why’d you have that packed?”

  She stopped rummaging. “I…umm…I was going to stay at Grandmama’s tonight. I figured since I hadn’t spent any time with you this week and you were having another late night, I’d spend time with her and see you tomorrow.”

  That hurt. Nikola had no idea everything I had been up to, so I couldn’t blame her. We’d hardly seen each other.

  “As I said, I want you in bed, with me, at night, Nikola. If you go to Anne’s, that’s where I’ll be. I don’t want to spend the night without you.”

  After Anne had gotten sick, Nikola canceled her out of town trips and was doing everything via phone calls. This arrangement suited me just fine. I didn’t like when she traveled.

  “Brandt—”

  “Nikola, I want us in bed together at night. If you go to Anne’s to stay, pack me clothes, too. Unless we’re in different towns, it’s important we’re together at night.” My voice was sincere but firm.

  A shirt and some yoga pants came out of the bag. “Why is this so important to you? It didn’t used to be as much as it is now.”

  I looked straight ahead as the wipers cleared a path from the rain. “When I wake with my heart beating frantically, and I can smell and feel your body, it’s then I know it was a nightmare and I can go back to sleep.”

  “Nightmare?”

  I didn’t look her way as I stared ahead at the rain coming down in sheets. The sound of the wipers echoed until I spoke. “That you’re gone. I never got you back.”

  That was one of my worst fears—not having Nikola in the future I’d imagined. A slender hand with pink nail polish landed on my knee.

  “I’m all yours. I never stopped being yours
in my heart. I want to be in your bed every night, too.”

  I took a deep breath before my hand landed on top of hers. Somberly, I spoke, “Talk to me when you start doubting things. I’ll always be an addict. That will never change. But we have to trust each other if this is going to work. I can’t wonder if you’re doubting me all the time. We have to be open with each other.”

  There was an intake of breath from across the vehicle. I glanced over, and Nikola had a sad smile on her face. “I know.” She closed her eyes. “I promise I will. I promise.” Nikola opened her emerald eyes and glanced my way. “Promise to talk to me, too.”

  “I promise.”

  By the time we got to Anne’s, Nikola was changed and I had on a dry T-shirt. I’d change my pants when I got to the restaurant to start all the preparations. Anne’s red Cadillac sat to the left as I steered the SUV partially under the carport so Nikola wouldn’t get wet. Nikola leaned over and gave me a kiss. Her skin was soft.

  “See if Anne wants to come to dinner with us tonight. I’m going to clear my work schedule. The club managers are almost trained, and we need some time together. Does that sound good?”

  Nikola kissed me harder, and I fought the urge to take the kiss from appropriate to inappropriate.

  “I’d love that. I’ll get the rest of the proposals off to Gavin. Text me with the details and we’ll come. Even if Grandmama can’t come, I still want to go.”

  “Well, that was a given, baby. I’ll make reservations and see you in a bit. Work hard so we can take a couple days off together, if that sounds good.”

  Nikola’s face lit up, and I couldn’t wait for this evening. “That sounds fantastic.”