by KT Fisher
“Why have you kept this to yourself for so long?” asks Lola.
“Honestly, I wanted to forget all about him and I had, but he’s found me.” As soon as I say the words they all tense. “He’s been blackmailing me.”
“How?” asks Lacey.
“He said he saw me on one of the news shows running what happened with Joe, and then people found out who I was. It wasn’t hard for him to find me.” I look to Roxie. “He wrote to me, asked to meet and I foolishly went along, but he hasn’t changed at all. If anything, he’s gotten worse. He threatened to hurt me, and my family, if I didn’t go back to him. I managed to run away and call Roxie to come and pick me up.”
“Promise us you’ll never see or speak to him again?” Ria begs.
“I promise you, but I want to go to the police. I worry that he may hurt someone. We cannot afford anything like what we went through with Joe,” I explain.
“We’ll come with you.” Lacey stands, and they all follow.
“No, really, I can go on my own,” I argue.
“Crystal…” Roxie adds, “…you have us to lean on now. Let us help you.”
And finally my tears fall, but I have my friends to hold me up.
Feeling a little battered but weirdly relieved, I walk out of the police station with my friends. They all came with me while I told the police everything there is to know about Troy. They sat with me as I described how awful a person he is and the shit he’s put me through. We didn’t tell the guys, though, they think we’re out shopping. And that’s mainly because I don’t want them knowing. My friends didn’t agree with me, but they respect my wishes.
The police promised to look out for him, and told me anything I hear from Troy must be reported to them immediately. I’m not to answer any calls from numbers I don’t know, and to make sure I’m not alone until the police have him. It turns out he’s a wanted criminal. The police wouldn’t tell me specifically what Troy has done, but the policeman who took pity on me did inform me that Troy has been taking some of his rage out on innocent women, and now they know my story, they know why. It doesn’t take a genius to work out that these girls are being hurt because Troy is frustrated with me.
Once we make it back to Roxie’s, we all say our goodbyes.
“Are you going to be okay?” asks Lacey as we ride together in her car.
“I’ll be fine.” My phone alerts a text message.
“You know where I am if you need me.” Lacey smiles as we stop outside Tate’s house. “I’m glad you were finally able to tell us.”
“Me too,” I reply honestly, feeling a little freer now that I have. I hate keeping Troy a secret. As much as I thought I was helping myself by keeping him hidden from everyone, I was only making myself suffer.
Once I exit her car and wave goodbye, I look down at my phone and see that I have a text from Booker. Biting down on my lip, I open the message, and as soon as I see the image he’s sent me my eyes widen. Right there, on my phone screen is Booker’s delicious abs, all of them covered in colorful ink. His thick arm travels downward, and I’m left disappointed when I see his hand cupping his cock, hiding it from view. Then I notice that he’s written a little message.
Booker: Feeling lonely.
I can’t help but smile as I reply.
Me: Maybe you need some love?
Booker: I think I do.
Me: It’s a pity I’m going home.
Booker: No way! I need some love, remember?
And straight away he sends me another photo, and this one leaves very little to the imagination. My feet start to carry me to Booker’s house without even thinking.
Me: Maybe, I get some loving in return?
Booker: Always, get your butt here now!
Me: Patience.
I then decide to torture him and take my time as I walk toward his house. Out of nowhere, running around the corner comes Booker, wearing his baggy black sweatpants and the matching unzipped hoodie. As he runs toward me, the hoodie reveals his tattooed covered muscles.
“Book?” I ask, slightly amused by the look on his face.
“Woman, you shouldn’t tease a man who’s dying to have you.” He stops right in front of me.
“Then what are you waiting for?” I ask.
Booker doesn’t waste any time and grabs me in a fireman’s lift. He quickly makes his way back, with me laughing over his shoulder. I can’t resist any longer, so I slap his bottom.
“Hey,” Booker shouts, pinching my ass.
We arrive at his house, and Booker rushes to get us inside and kicks the doors shut, placing me down to lock it. “I have the all clear from the doctor.”
I give him an odd look. “I know that I was with you.”
“Now I’m able to lift.” He looks down at me, his eyes darkening and I break out in shivers.
“What can you lift?” I ask, catching onto his meaning.
With just one step, Booker closes the distance and sweeps me up in his arms. His mouth latching onto mine and I moan into the kiss. My arms wrap around his neck, and he lifts me off my feet to carry me up the stairs. As he climbs the steps, our bodies move and I’m able to feel his growing hardness through my thin leggings and his sweat pants. Beginning to feel the friction even through our clothes, Booker opens the door to his bedroom, steps inside and kicks the door shut, then lays me down on his bed. I fear if there were any more steps to climb, I wouldn’t have lasted very long. I watch as he removes his jacket, his arms are still thick with muscle even though he hasn’t been able to work out after the shooting. I’ve always loved his big muscles. When he holds me, I feel feminine and protected, and it’s as if that’s where I will always belong.
Booker then reaches for me, gripping his hands into my waistband and pulling my leggings down my legs, throwing them behind him and making me giggle.
“Now yours,” I demand.
With a handsome smirk, he rolls his sweat pants down, and I see he isn’t wearing any underwear. The sight of Booker naked and hard for me is a glorious sight to behold.
“Now you.” Booker points to my top, and I sit up onto my knees and remove my shirt and bra, without looking away from him. His eyes stay glued to mine until my breasts are bare, and then they travel downward, my nipples hardening for him to lick. He growls stalking toward me, and I prepare myself for what’s about to come.
Sex with this man is the best feeling in the world.
Kissing me, I lean back onto the bed and sigh as his thumbs play with my nipples. He leaves my mouth and kisses down my neck and onto my stomach. When he grabs my ankles, I’m left confused, until he pulls me down the length of the bed. Squealing, Booker then lifts me back up, both of us now naked, and I feel his cock this time with nothing between us and I moan. His cock twitches against me, and it feels divine.
“I bet you’re so wet I can slide right inside, aren’t you, baby?” he asks, kissing my neck.
“Yes.” I sigh.
Booker then pulls me off the bed and places my back to the wall, looking me in the eyes as his fat and hard cock slides inside of me. My head hits the wall, and my eyes roll.
“Look at me,” Booker demands. “I want to see your eyes while I’m inside you.”
It’s a struggle, but I manage to lift my head back up and look at him. I feel like I melt inside as his cock slips in and out, hitting me deep and causing me to moan so loud. “Oh God!”
This is how we always had sex. Booker loves to hold me and slam me against walls, but he wasn’t able to do that while he was told to not drum. He couldn’t lift me if he couldn’t play! Plus, we haven’t been having sex a lot recently, and that’s because I’ve tried to keep distant.
Booker is my weakness, and I feel as if I’m falling in love with him, and that’s not a recent development. Booker had my heart even when I was with Troy. Guess that’s no surprise, seeing as though Troy never had it in the first place. I thought that I loved Troy when I first met him, but when I started to fall for Booker, I knew that I�
��d been totally wrong about Troy.
Booker’s cock slamming into me breaks me from my thoughts. He continues to bring me closer to the edge. “Book,” I moan, quivering from his touch.
With a growl, Booker takes me away from the wall and carries me back to the bed. Lying me gently down, he wraps my legs around his shoulders and sinks himself deep. My passionate sighs become louder and they spur him on.
“I’m gonna come,” I scream, and Booker almost growls.
“Come,” he orders, fucking me faster.
Just before Booker comes to his own release, I shudder through my own. He then hovers above me, raining kisses on my face until he rolls to my side.
Booker eventually got up and made us something to eat, and we sat side by side completely naked eating on the bed. When I’m satisfied and full, I lay back down and Booker joins me. Rolling into his outstretched arm, I snuggle into him.
“I wish we could do this every day.” I sigh sleepily.
“We can,” he replies. “We can tell everyone about us.”
“And what will we tell them?” I ask. “We aren’t even a couple.”
Booker then looks to me. “We can be.”
Shivers break out everywhere. “What are you saying?”
“We can be a couple. You and me…” he explains, “…we should be together Crystal. I want you, and I’m sick of keeping us a secret.”
“What about Tate?” I ask.
“He’ll be pissed, but only because we’ve been sneaking around,” Booker answers.
“But what if we make everyone feel awkward?” I ask again. “What if we have a fight and cause arguments?”
“It’s only the same as when Mason or Cole fight with the girls,” Booker simply points out. “Why would it be any different with us?”
“I don’t know,” I answer sadly, and Booker pulls away from me, sitting up and I feel like shit. “I’m sorry.”
“What for?” he asks. “You don’t want to be together, that’s fine. We should stop whatever the fuck we’re doing now.”
My heart drops. “I don’t want that.”
He turns around to face me, naked as the day he was born, and it’s quite hard to take him seriously. “Then what the fuck do you want?”
“I want you…” I answer, tears beginning to fall from my eyes, “…but I’m terrified.”
“Of what?” he asks, looking angry.
“I need to go.” I begin to gather my clothes.
Booker watches me as I dress, I try to stop myself from crying, but it’s hard.
“I’ll drive you,” he offers, and I begin to decline but he shakes his head. “I’m going to drive you, no questions.”
I nod, slipping on my shoes, and once he’s dressed we drive back to my brother’s house. The ride is thankfully short, but nevertheless awkward. We’re both silent until he pulls up.
“I want to be with you Crystal, but I can’t wait forever.”
“I know,” I whisper.
Booker leans over and gently kisses me, and I let some of my tears fall. The saltiness dripping onto our mouths.
“Don’t cry.” He wipes away my tears.
“I want to be with you,” I whimper. “Give me some time?”
He kisses me again. “Okay.”
Feeling just a little relieved, I get out the car and slowly make my way inside Tate’s house. I really hope my brother isn’t in or he’s asleep.
As I walk into Tate’s house, I think to myself that I really should find my own place. Living here with my brother is just plain awkward. I’m sure Ria and Paige feel the same, they’re living with Roxie and Mason and know they feel the same way as I do. Perhaps I should suggest finding a small apartment somewhere together? But then again, with Troy toying with me, it’s probably best for me to stay put for now.
I climb the stairs, wondering how hurt Booker must be feeling. I can’t believe I turned him down like that, I really want to be with him. And as much as I’m worried about Tate’s reaction and the rest of our friends, it’s not the real reason I said no to him. Troy is behind my reasoning and decision. When Joe hurt Booker, I was shit scared, and I don’t want anything like that to happen again. Maybe if I try to keep Booker away, he won’t be around if Troy becomes bored with his games and decides to come after me. I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to Booker again.
“Shit.” I hear and the voice makes me jump, as I was too busy off daydreaming.
Standing at the top of the staircase is a woman who’s apparently been spending some quality time with my brother. Her hair is messy, her dress is thrown back on and she’s dangling her shoes from her fingers. She stares at me wide eyed, and I quickly realize I’m just another girl to her, she has no idea I’m Tate’s sister.
“Relax…” I assure her, walking past while trying to give her a wide birth, “…I’m Tate’s sister.”
Immediately she places her hand over her heart and heavily breathes a sigh of relief. “Oh, thank God!” Laughing, she descends down the stairs leaving me to walk to my bedroom in peace. Once I change into my baggy pajama bottoms and black vest, I make my way to the kitchen. Thoughts of Booker and Troy circle through my mind and begin to give me a headache.
Craving some coffee, I make a cup and wait for it to cool. While the coffee is cooling, I decide to make myself some toast. It’s passed midnight, but I’m usually hungry when I worry. As I take my first bite, I hear something from behind me and pause. I’m alone down here, all the lights are off and Tate’s in bed. Goosebumps spread over me as I sip on my coffee, and I repeat in my head that there’s nobody here but me. I’m just being silly.
I begin to think of Booker and wonder if he’s still awake like me. Probably not, because he’s a man. I laugh to myself and out of nowhere I hear the creak of a footstep. Turning quickly, I face the dark and I see the outline of a man. My cup of coffee mug drops to the floor, smashing as it hits and I scream.
“Crystal?” Tate’s soothing voice comes as he steps out from the shadows.
“Tate?” I gasp. “What the fuck are you hiding for?”
“I heard someone down here and thought Suzy was still here,” he explains with a frown.
“Suzy?” I ask.
“The girl I bought back,” he tells me.
So the girl I met at the top of the stairs was called Suzy.
“Okay,” I whisper, looking down at the mess I’ve created and for some reason my eyes start to blur. I bend down and begin cleaning up the broken mug so Tate doesn’t see my emotion, but there’s no use. Of course, he sees me, he knows me better than Booker even does.
“Crystal…” he bends down opposite me, “…are you okay?”
“Of course,” I sniffle. “Just don’t scare me like that again.”
“This isn’t about me making you jump, is it?” he asks, but Tate doesn’t need me to answer. The look on my face is all the proof he needs. “What’s up?”
“Nothing,” I insist, but he isn’t buying it. He places a hand over mine and a sob escapes. Tate immediately grabs me in his arms, the broken mug completely forgotten about as I cry. I let it all out, and these tears have nothing to do with Booker, but how sick I am worrying about Troy. Before I realized it was my brother, I’d thought it was Troy and I was petrified. The stress is now finally escaping me, and Tate is helping to hold me together.
By the next morning, I’m calmer and have it together. I did a lot of crying last night, but I didn’t tell Tate why, and when he realized that I wasn’t going to fill him in he soon quit asking and helped calm me down.
A knock on the door sounds before Tate walks in, holding a cup of coffee. “How are ya?” he asks me.
“Better.” I sit up and take the mug from him. “What are you doing up so early?”
“Booker sent a text in the middle of the night. He couldn’t sleep and asked if anyone wanted to go over the new tracks for the album,” he explains.
So I was wrong, Booker couldn’t sleep either, and for some
reason that makes me feel a little better. “Have fun.” I smile.
“Oh no, I just got back.” He laughs. “I left as soon as you went to sleep.”
So I was all alone last night?
That doesn’t make me feel good, and I’m a little disappointed at Tate, which he can obviously see reflected by my face.
“Don’t worry…” he holds up his hands, “…after the state you were in, I asked Booker to come here, and we were in the studio all night. Booker’s in the kitchen right now.”
“What?” I panic.
“After I explained I wouldn’t be leaving you, he soon came over,” Tate adds.
“Did you tell him?”
“No…” he shakes his head, “…just said you were upset and I wasn’t leaving you.”
He turns and disappears out of the room and I jump up to get ready. I don’t want Booker seeing me in this state—baggy, unflattering clothes, puffy red eyes—it’s not a great look. When I make my way downstairs, Tate and Booker are sitting in the kitchen.
“Crystal,” Booker greets me. “You any better?”
“Yep.” I nod, but I don’t miss the confused look from Tate.
“Am I missing something here?” Tate asks. “Have you two suddenly become best fucking pals in the last couple of weeks?” He laughs.
“No…” I answer.
“Sort of,” Booker adds the same time as I speak.
“Okay.” Tate shakes his head, and slowly stands from his seat. “I gotta go check on Suzy.”
“Suzy?” asks Tate. “You still seeing her?”
“Seeing her?” I ask in shock and Tate freezes, a look of panic in his eyes.
“Not like that,” he shouts in disgust.
“Try telling her that.” Laughs Booker.
“Oh boy.” I giggle, and the look on Tate’s face is hilarious.
“Fuck! It ain’t like that,” Tate shouts again, looking and Booker and I as we laugh. “I have to keep her sweet.”
