White Widow

by Kaitlyn Cross

  My eyebrows pull together because I never considered that option. I assumed the creep was here for one long perv-out session, not multiple occasions. Right outside my bathroom window! I cover my mouth, shaking from a sudden spike of adrenaline.

  “Probably climbing the fence in back,” Lincoln says, staring off into the wooded lot. “Too bad you don’t have a dog.”

  “I wanted to get one but Jack was allergic.”

  “I know.” Lincoln’s eyes fall back to the cigarettes. “Don’t clean these up. We want him to think he’s found a safe spot to watch you from.”

  Facepalming myself, I try recounting all the times I’ve used that bathroom over the past week. The window faces the private backyard and, unless we have friends over to grill or swim, I never shut the blinds. It’s a gorgeous view.

  Lincoln kneels down again and runs a hand back and forth across the grass. Bringing it to his face, he examines his fingertips before giving them a quick sniff. “I don’t see any signs of semen.”

  “Ewe!” I shriek, covering my mouth in horror.

  “Which means it’s probably the gay kid from Jack’s school.” Looking up, he tosses me a wry grin. “Apparently, you’re not doing it for him.”

  I snort through my nose. “Yeah, he wasn’t the only one.”

  Stepping into the sunshine to ward off a case of the chills, I can’t believe this is happening. Fuck. I shouldn’t have called Lincoln. What was I thinking? I was supposed to start handling things on my own but, once again, my moment of weakness got the better of me. I won’t lie or try to sugarcoat it. I am terrified and there is, literally, no one else I can call. No one. Stopping on the patio, I watch a leaf float across the sparkling pool, wondering what the little rat wants. “So, what now?”

  “Now, we set a trap.” Lincoln stops next to me and surveys the spacious yard. “He can’t know I’m here, which is why I parked two blocks over and stuck to the bushes and trees.”

  “Oh my God, Lincoln, this is starting to get out of hand.”

  “Tell me about it. If anyone fucks with my car I’m going to be super pissed.”

  “No,” I say, pulling hair from my mouth. “I mean whoever is messing with me. They could be dangerous.”

  “Then let’s call the police.”

  “No.” I drop onto an outdoor couch, a frustrated sigh bursting from my lips. “I want to see what he wants first.”

  “This guy is definitely in stalker mode so we have to be careful.”

  I look up at him, heart banging in my chest. “What do you think he knows?”

  Lincoln sits next to me, flushing my side with welcome heat and filling my lungs with his addictive smell. Last night flickers through my mind in steamy bursts. I can still feel him inside and hate myself for getting wet just thinking about it. I need to focus.

  “Maybe Jack broke things off and the guy got weird about it. If that’s true, maybe he blames you for the break-up.”

  “We don’t know that Jack broke it off.” Crossing my legs, I chew on a thumb, quietly exploring scenarios in my mind. I stare out over the pool. It’s been a warm spring and part of me despises myself for thinking about how glad I am Jack took the cover off early this year. The water is clear and blue and will help sell the house that much faster. In fact, it’s the only thing I’ll miss about the place. “What kind of trap?”

  Lincoln rests an arm along the back of the cream-colored couch. I try not to lean into him but I’m powerless to stop it from happening. He’s a tractor beam I cannot escape, no matter how much throttle I give it. “When it gets dark tonight, you take a long, hot shower in that bathroom and I’ll hide outside.”

  “How do you know he’ll come?”

  “I don’t.”

  I sit up a little straighter. “How do I know you won’t be the one peeking in the window?”

  He flashes his pearly whites. “You don’t.”

  Turning back to the pool, I shake my head. “Pervert.”

  “What?” he laughs. “It’s not like I haven’t seen you naked before.”

  “Umm actually, you kind of haven’t,” I remind him, trying not to recall the way he yanked my jeans down and came at me from behind. “I never even took my shirt off.”

  He clears his throat and pulls me against him. “We’ll just have to change that then.”

  “No, we won’t,” I say, using all of my willpower to scoot further away.

  “Why not?”

  I return his insulted frown from a cushion over. “Do you really have to ask that?”

  A sigh squeezes past his full lips that I bet taste like cotton candy. “Look,” he says. “I know this is a weird situation, but let’s not deny this thing between us. It’s there and it’s strong.”

  “You mean, it’s wrong? What would your family think if they found out about last night?”

  “Who cares?”

  “I do, Lincoln! They don’t deserve anymore bullshit, especially from us. And this is just…fucking weird.”

  “First of all, you’re moving. So, what do you care?” Sitting up, he takes my hand and, like a fool, I let him. “Second of all, I’ve always loved you and I’m not afraid to say it.”

  Barely controlling my voice, I manage to relax my hand in his. “Lincoln,” I breathe out, breathing him right back in. “This whole thing is too messed up already; let’s not…”

  “Make it any harder than it already is?” he interrupts, flashing me a devious grin. “See? I’m already finishing your sentences.”

  My body stiffens. Yanking my hand back, I cross my arms and squint against the glare. “You are incorrigible.”

  “Thank you, and let me tell you something else, I understand you’ve been dealt a bad hand.” He starts counting on his fingers. “From your drunk ass mom and the shitty neighborhood you grew up in, to Jack and Cottage Grove. I get that you want to run from all of that, I really do, but, please…” His chest lowers when he exhales a somber breath. “Don’t run from me.”

  Sharp laughter pushes past my lips, a defense mechanism I learned early on after one dream fell flat before the next. “What do you want to do, Lincoln?” I say with a crooked grin. “Runaway together and start a new life with your brother’s wife?”

  He presses his lips together and thinks it over. “That’ll work.”

  “No, it won’t! There are other people to think about here besides ourselves.”

  He scoots closer. “So you admit it then? You do have feelings for me.”

  Yes, I do but you can never know that. “What?” I cry instead. “That is not what I said!”

  “You just said there are other people to think about here, but you wouldn’t even get to caring about what other people thought if you didn’t want me in the first place. We only worry what they’ll think if there is something to worry about, like us falling head over heels for each other.”

  “Ha!” Turning from his arrogant grin, I purse my lips in defiance. “You are delusional and let me tell you something else. Last night was a huge mistake that will never happen again.”

  “Is that right?”

  “That’s exactly right,” I snap, getting up to pace the patio tiles. Truth be told, I’m torn. Maybe he’s right. Maybe running away with him would be the first good decision I’ve ever made. I’m not staying here anyway and, eventually, I realize Minni and Mary will become long-distance friends. I’m not stupid. Even with Facetime and Instagram, things aren’t the same when you live in different states. Our relationship may fade with time but I could never live with them despising Lincoln or myself. I just couldn’t. They don’t deserve that after losing their first born.

  Turning to Lincoln, I stop pacing and study him in the sunlight. My stomach sinks because he’s always been here for me, through thick and thin. Even when I wasn’t there for him. That’s what makes this so hard. “I think you should leave.”

  His eyebrows dip. “Are you serious?”

  “Yes, I’ll be fine. I shouldn’t have called you and I’m sorry, bu
t I’ve got to start handling things on my own now.”

  I love the surprise in his eyes because this means something to him and it warms my heart. Slowly getting to his feet, he steps in front of me. “Are you sure?”

  “I’m sure. Thank you for coming over.” I sigh, feeling utterly ridiculous. “This is just wrong and weird and this is where it ends. Okay?”

  Lincoln just stands there and stares down at me, a silhouette against the sun. I can’t read his face. Can’t see what he’s thinking. Taking my hands in his, the air gets lighter and I can’t take my hands back. I want to but I’m spellbound and I bet he could make me do whatever he wants. Curling my hands into his fists, I give him the news.

  “Get out, Lincoln,” I say with confidence, taking my hands away. “And don’t come back.” The breeze pulls hair from my eyes and when a cottony cloud slips over the sun, I can see the hurt welling in his eyes.

  “No.”

  I crease my brow. “Why not?”

  Turning to the pool, he shoves his hands in his pockets. “Think I might take a swim instead, if that’s alright with you. It’s getting hot out.”

  “A swim?” Gasping, I search the yard to see if anyone else is hearing this lunacy. “No, it’s not alright with me! Look, I don’t care if you…” My words melt into a high-pitched shriek when he snatches my hand and yanks me against him. Staggered and frightened, I stare up at him with my chest heaving. “Stop,” I pant. “And I mean it, Lincoln.”

  “Never,” he gravely whispers, pressing his lips to mine and kissing me like a man should kiss a woman. Sparks ignite and I’m too weak to push him into the pool like I should. I’m butter and he’s the flame. I melt into his arms and I’ll live to regret this later. Drawing apart, we look into one another’s eyes and that’s when it hits me like a Mack truck. For the first time in my life, I feel a connection to someone unlike anything ever before and that frightens the shit out of me. I can’t have him and this is no time to relax into fate’s pull. No, this isn’t fate calling. It’s yet another bad choice. Nothing more, nothing less.

  Steeling myself against his warm embrace, I accept his rapid heartbeats into my palm. “Please,” I beg against his lips. “Sell the Vette, buy your food truck, and get on with your life.” I pat his chest and smile. “We will always be friends; I promise.”

  His devilish grin reflects in my eyes and, goddammit, he’s going to... Kissing me again, he sits on the couch and pulls me into his lap. I stare down into his eyes like some dime store stripper, paralyzed by his beauty. I want to memorize every inch of his face so that when I finally escape this damn town I will never forget what he looks like. I want to leave him, but I don’t want to forget. I at least deserve that.

  I turn my head when he tries to kiss me and his lips find my neck instead. Somehow, he knows my every weakness. Struggling, I stop him from undoing the buttons running down the front my dress, but he’s too bullheaded and unclasps my bra as well. I almost make a break for the house but when he takes my breasts into his hands, my will runs out my toes. Tipping my head back, I relax into those magic hands. They’re warm and strong and my breath hitches when his fingers trail down my stomach to find my underwear soaking wet. Grinning, he slips his fingers inside and, like an idiot, I scoot back to give him more room. If I’m going to take an inch, I might as well take something to remember.

  Parting my legs, his thumb rubs soft circles into my clitoris. My teeth tighten and I grow wetter with each wonderful stroke. Looking down, I find him watching my face. I can tell by the heated look in his eyes that he’s eager to please. His thumb goes in deeper, pulling a moan from my lips. This powerful effect he has on me is nothing short of enchantment and I can’t help but wonder if he’s not of this world. Leaning back, I rest my hands on his knees and look down between us to find his secret. That’s when he shakes it up and replaces the thumb with two naughty fingers. Arching my back, I inhale sharply, lifting my chest as he feeds my needs and wants. His fingers slide in and out, tickling my wet spot with bone-chilling precision. Grinding against his lap, I can feel his hard cock throbbing through his jeans and I can’t take much more. It’s been so long since someone focused on me, I can’t control my pleasure. I bite my lip and hold my breath. Warm tingles prickle my skin. My breasts heave beneath my open dress, his fingers sending a shudder right through me. Throwing my arms around his neck, I tip my head back and scream to the sun. It’s bright and hot and I cum so hard, my grip slips from his neck but he catches me before I fall. Just like always. My muscles constrict around his fingers, precious air rushing into my lungs before storming right back out. Staring him in the eye, I search for the real Lincoln and when I find him, I press my mouth to his and kiss him hard.

  Breaking our kiss to shriek, he lifts me into the air and lays me on my back. My dress falls open and I make no move to button it up. I can tell by the look in his eyes that would not please him. Standing over me, his tight gaze draws to the shiny spot between my legs. Spreading them just a little wider, I give him a glimpse of what’s impatiently waiting below. He sweeps a tongue across his lips, steamy gaze slowly climbing my belly and breasts, stopping to meet my eyes. Without breaking our stare, he undoes his jeans and pushes them down, taking his black, boxer-briefs with them. His hard cock bobs in the air as he kicks out of his clothing. Lincoln pulls his shirt over his head and tosses it into the pool without taking his eyes from me. When he comes closer, my muscles tighten with sweet anticipation. I stare up at him from my back, heart hammering against the inside of my chest. Pushing my legs back, he grabs his dick and rubs it against me, forcing me to quiver with desire. I have no choice in the matter because he is calling the shots. Gritting his teeth, he pins my hands over my head and watches my face as he eases inside. My jaw tightens and I pull my knees back to give him more room. I want all of him and I’m going to get every inch if it kills me. Fuck it. Might as well go out with one last bang.

  “Don’t,” I whisper, wrestling against his powerful grip on my wrists. “Don’t stop.”

  Holding at the top, he pulls back out and slowly slides back in. My body tenses with an unseen voltage of electricity running between us. It’s palpable and never been this good before and I deserve something nice, even if only for a passing moment. Hips pumping, his eyes remain locked on mine. Soft moans float from my lips like whispers on the wind. His mouth curls into a grin as he picks up the pace. Closing my eyes, I bite my lower lip. Fireworks explode behind my eyelids when he detonates and, for a shining moment, we melt into one and nothing can tear us apart. We were made for each other. I am the honeysuckle, he is the bee.

  Slowing, Lincoln watches me squirm beneath him with that unmistakable glimmer in his eyes. I wrap my legs around his V-shaped back and pull him in deeper, hating myself for being so selfish. This is wrong on so many levels but I don’t want him to leave. Not just yet.

  “You’re the sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted,” he whispers, kissing me softly with his cock pulsating inside.

  Constricting my muscles around him, I can taste blood on my lip and it was worth it. Guilt and shame begin knocking at the door but I won’t let them in. Not just yet. I want to savor every second. I know this little party on the patio will haunt me for years to come but part of it will be in a good way. The bad part will be comparing every guy from here on out to Lincoln. Because there will be other guys, and they will fall short. I just know it. They say true love comes but once in a lifetime and I believe them. I mean, if it came around every corner, it wouldn’t feel so special. So all-consuming. The magic would fade until love was just another run-of-the-mill emotion, like happy and content.

  A screech escapes me when Lincoln lifts me into his strong arms and carries me to the edge of the pool. “Ready?”

  “Lincoln!” Hanging my arms around his neck, I pull tighter against him, heart aflutter. “I just took a shower!”

  “Don’t worry, you can take another one.” His grin spreads like a wildfire through the stubble blanketing his cheek
s and my internal shutter speed slows way down when he jumps into the pool with me wrapped in his arms. Cold water steals my scream and when we come up for air, I can only laugh like a teenager in love. We kiss and do slow circles in the shimmering water, postponing the inevitable for as long as possible.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Lincoln

  Sienna was right. I can’t help but watch her through the open bathroom window. Holding a pine branch back, steam drifts out in ghostly waves and I’m mesmerized by the way she washes her hair. The light glistens off her body which is as smooth as porcelain, yet soft and warm to the touch. I want to be the water running down the middle of her back and when this is over, I’m going to show her just what I mean. Then we’re getting the hell out of here. Together. She doesn’t know it yet, but this time, I’m not taking no for an answer. I either act with confidence or let it haunt me the rest of my life. There is no other option. If she slips through my fingers again, I will see her face in every crowd. Smell her perfume when no one is there. I’ve never felt anything like this before and will require more. Much more. She’s the one drug I cannot quit.

  Letting the branch slip back into place, I rip my gaze from her naked body to scour the backyard. Crickets chirp off in the bushes and, outside of some strategically positioned solar lights, it’s dark as hell. But my night vision is coming in nicely. I can see every angle someone could take to come and add to the cigarette pile outside the brightly lit bathroom window. Thanks to this overgrown Christmas tree, no one can sneak past me. If he comes tonight, and something tells me he will, I’ve got a big surprise waiting for him.

  Like a moth to a flame, my gaze draws back to the window. As if she knows I’m watching, Sienna turns and stares right at me, showing me her gleaming breasts. They’re perky and firm, but not as firm as the bulge in my pants. Goddamn, I want her again and I can’t imagine a life without her. I won’t. This time, I stand and fight for what’s mine. I’ve never fought for anything in my entire life but that changes today. Right here in this dark-ass backyard.