by Aliyah Burke
“Laila.” He gestured at her. “What are you doing out here? Especially if you’re so cold.”
“I was looking for you.”
He put his keys in his pocket and approached her. “For?”
“I thought you might want to have lunch.”
“Sorry, we grabbed a bite to eat on the way back from the hospital.”
Her expression fell. “Oh. Have some time to talk?”
“Of course.” He pointed over his shoulder. “Come in?”
She shook her head. “No, I think it’s better if we go to my house.”
“All right.” He walked towards her and together they headed over the short distance to her home. Hearing the garage door lower behind him, he glanced back but didn’t see anyone. Damn, I should have told her I was leaving.
Entering Laila’s house now was so different to when he’d first arrived there. There was the lingering scent of cigarettes and booze in the air. He frowned and looked at the woman beside him.
“Sorry about the mess,” she said. “I’m still working on getting the smell out.”
“What happened?”
“Dean Jr and his brothers weren’t exactly nice houseguests. I sent them to a hotel today and I’ve been cleaning since I got home from work, left early. Just can’t seem to get the stench out.”
He wrapped his arm around her. “You okay?”
She shook her head and sobbed, leaning into him. “I feel like everything is falling apart. They hate me, Roxi hates me and you’re staying with her.”
He furrowed his brow at her outburst. “Roxi doesn’t hate you.” At least, he didn’t think so. He’d never got around to asking what had occurred between them. “And I was staying with her to make it easier on you.”
She peered up at him. “You can stay now.”
Trouble was, he didn’t want to leave Roxi. “All right,” he said, willing his jaw to unclench.
“I’ve cleaned the guest room and it has fresh sheets and all of that. It will still smell a bit like smoke, but it’s much less now than it was.”
Cigarette smoke was the least of his worries. He’d bedded down in places that smelt much worse than smoke. “That’s fine.” A deep breath. “Let me go get my things and truck.”
She smiled up at him and he couldn’t help but smile back. There were times when she was just so cute and innocent-looking.
“I’ll be here.”
Another deep breath and he walked out of the house and through the cloudy, cold afternoon back to Roxi’s. He went in through the garage and waited out there until the door had shut completely and shrouded him in darkness. Torn. That was how he felt.
He entered the house and was amazed by the difference. He immediately felt warmed and comforted in her place.
“Roxi?” he called out.
“Back here,” she replied.
He spun on booted heel and headed towards the back, hoping her ‘back here’ was the laundry room because he honestly didn’t know if he would be able to control himself if she was in her bedroom. She stood in the hallway, a basket under one arm. She’d changed out of her jeans into a pair of cobalt-blue, cotton workout pants. And he still wanted her just as badly.
“Need me to do any laundry for you?” she asked.
He shook his head. Lord, she was beautiful. She’d removed her ponytail so her hair fell freely along the gentle curvature of her face to grace her shoulders.
“What’s up?”
“Laila…” He swallowed.
Roxi brushed by him. “Laila wants you back over with her.”
“Yes.” How did she know?
“Okay. Just leave your garage door opener on the table.” She walked into the small laundry room and set the basket down on the top of the washer.
Wait. That was it? He stole a glance up the hall and saw Eric’s leg from where he sat in the chair playing a video game. Then he stepped into the tiny space after her, spun her around, and blocked her in with his arms and body.
Her expression was cool when she met his. “Yes?” she questioned with an arch of her brow.
“That’s it? That’s all you have to say to me?”
He lowered his face to hers, eyes locked, breath coming faster and sharper.
Roxi couldn’t breathe without being engulfed by the masculine scent which screamed Sam! to her body. Her legs trembled at the fierceness in his features. All those angles she wanted to touch with her fingertips, trace with her tongue.
“What else is there to say?”
She couldn’t ignore the throbbing of her clit as he drew closer. All he’d have to do would be crook his finger and she’d follow him anywhere. If he’d just promise to soothe the unending and seemingly increasing ache within her.
“You tell me.”
Focus, Roxi. This isn’t about how damn good he smells, how wonderful his hard body against yours feels. This is about…um, what the fuck were we talking about? Her brain scrambled for her and thankfully found the answer she needed.
“Sam, I offered you a place to stay because there wasn’t room at Laila’s. If there’s room now, then go. That’s fine.”
A deep rumble emerged from his chest and she knew he wasn’t pleased. Why? She had no clue. She licked her lips and tasted him. Hell, the man hadn’t even kissed her and she was so desperate for him her mind was conjuring up his taste on her lips.
“You stubborn woman.”
She scoffed. “I’m stubborn?”
“Why don’t you just say you want me to stay?”
“Why don’t you tell me you want to?” she countered.
His face closed up and she knew he wouldn’t. Or couldn’t. Before she could contemplate that any further, he’d taken her mouth in a fierce, possessive kiss. Without thought, she arched into him, pressing herself as close as she could get without actually climbing up his body. Although that idea has merit as well.
He dominated her. Took what he wanted and once she’d surrendered that, he took even more. His tongue thrust deep, touching everywhere only to retreat and do it all over again. She shivered and rubbed against him. Her moan was eaten up by his mouth.
Deep strokes. Feathery strokes. All kinds with one purpose. To drive her out of her mind with desire and lust. It worked.
Her pussy was wet and her breasts swollen with need. The need for his touch. His caresses. Him. She could feel his thick erection digging into her belly and it only made her crave more. She knew how it felt to have his length deep inside her. Thrusting. Powering forward. Driving into her until her body exploded and she screamed his name. She whimpered and rubbed along it, inviting him to take her.
He didn’t. Damn him, he lowered his hands and held her hips still, refusing to let her grind on him. Then the kiss ended. Her heart hammered and she looked up at him. His blue eyes swirled with dangerous passion.
“I’ll see you later, Roxi.” It was a promise when it fell from his lips.
He spun on his heel and left her alone there, horny and aroused, in the laundry room. She didn’t move until after she’d heard him enter and leave his sleeping quarters, talk to Eric—whom honestly, she’d forgotten had been there during their passionate exchange—then leave through the garage.
She shoved her clothes in the washer then set it—she was on auto pilot—before leaving the small space. She forced herself up to the living room, knowing full well if she went to hers, she’d end up getting herself off and it would feel as hollow as it had before.
Eric sat on the overstuffed chair he loved to occupy when he was with her. He looked up. “Sam went to stay with Laila.”
“I know, he told me.” She ignored how hurtful that was to say and hear.
“But he said he’d come back over and play this game with me once he got settled.”
Her smile was forced this time, she knew it. “How nice of him. I’m going to get his room cleaned up, so yell if you need me.”
She spun on her heel and went to the one Sam had used. Pushing in, she sighed as she looked around. No trac
e of him ever having been there. Rolling her eyes at her sappiness, she got to work stripping the bed. The pillowcases held a faint hint of his scent—she held them tightly and inhaled. He smelt so damn good.
“I can give you a shirt, if you’d like one.”
She jumped, whirling, to find him leaning against the door. Arms crossed and a slightly amused, still predatory and hungry look on his face. She had no comeback. There was no way to deny it, she’d been caught sniffing his pillowcases, for crying out loud.
“What are you doing back?”
His eyes narrowed slightly. “Eric?” he called out.
“Yes, Sam?”
“I need to have a private chat with your aunt. Stay up there until we come back.”
“Okay. Then we’ll play?”
“You got it.” He stepped fully into the room and kicked the door shut with the heel of his shoe.
She gulped, fingers clenching the bedding she still held. “What are you doing?”
Christ, it was warm all of a sudden. He prowled towards her and she saw the fluidity and strength that made him good at his job. There was an untamed wildness in him. He didn’t stop until she was back in his arms. No soft, gentle words passed between them. No. This was raw, hot and challenging.
He demanded and she gave. His kiss sapped her strength and she sank into him as he continued to sweep through her mouth with his tongue. One hand was wrapped in her hair and he pulled it back, angling her head how he wanted it. She dug her nails into his upper arms as she gave herself willingly and completely over to him.
Leaving her mouth, he worked his way down her chin, over her throat to the hollow of her neck. His teeth grazed her skin and she shivered with each pass. He lowered her back to the jumbled sheets on the bed, his body covering hers, and lifted his head to stare at her. She shuddered at the pure, undiluted possession in his heated gaze.
She began to shake her head but his hand gripped her tighter, holding her still. He reached for her waistband and removed her cotton pants. Kicking one leg free, she arched when that same touch trailed over her panties. He didn’t linger, just drew them down as well.
His eyes never left hers as he freed himself. She reached out and closed her fingers around his length. Velvet over steel. She purred in pleasure as her hand stroked him. Her thumb swiped across the tip and she smeared the droplets of pre-cum which lingered on the broad head.
He pressed a condom into her hand and she made short work of opening it and sheathing him. Her knees were off the bed and he wedged his way between her spread legs, pushing them wider. Eyes locked on hers, he slammed home in a single thrust. The bed squeaked and he froze before gathering her along with the sheets up in his arms and placed them on the floor.
“No noise,” he muttered against her lips as he began to move.
Hard, fast strokes had her flying high in no time. Sam still had one hand locked in her hair while he kissed her. His tongue matched the thrusts of his shaft deep inside her. Her body slid along the soft sheets with each forward piston of his hips. He dragged her to him as he pulled almost all the way out then they went all over again. She pressed her mouth tighter against his to ensure she didn’t scream.
Back and forth.
In and out.
Harder and harder.
“Lock your legs around me,” he muttered into her mouth, never slowing his strokes.
She followed his guttural command and whimpered at the increased angle of penetration he acquired. So thick, so long, he filled her unlike any one had before. Made for her.
She couldn’t hold out any further and nipped his skin as she fragmented around him. Her internal walls gripped and milked his cock. Faster he moved, refusing to give her even a moment’s rest until she felt him stiffen and come inside her. She experienced his pulse even through the barrier provided by the condom. Hell, she’d been so far gone she wouldn’t have insisted on using one. She was grateful he’d had the presence of mind to use protection, for she sure as hell hadn’t—she did recall unrolling it over his shaft, however.
He lifted his mouth from hers and stared at her. His face was set in harsh lines of pleasure and sweat dotted his brow. Lord help her, she wanted to go all over again. From the hardness inside her, she realised he was of a similar mind.
Slowly he withdrew from her and as he did, she was hit full force with how exposed she was like this. Pants and panties gone, having been kicked free during their escapade. Clad only in shirt and socks, sprawled before him like a feast. Her body responded when his gaze drifted down to linger at the apex of her spread thighs before moving back up again.
Silently, he got to his feet and removed the condom before tying it off and dropping it in the trash. He put himself away then returned his attention to her. She’d yet to move. Roxi watched him as he crouched down beside her and reached out to touch her face.
She pulled back and awkwardly sat up, trying to hide her naked lower body. Eventually she gave up attempting to use her shirt that way and just tugged some of the sheet over her. He was fast at camouflaging his emotions but not quick enough to keep her from witnessing the flash of pain.
“That can’t happen again,” she said, even though her body disagreed with her decision. Her heart wanted more. That was the problem, though. She didn’t think he could give her his heart. And as much as she loved being physically intimate with him, she wanted more.
“I’ll leave you to dress.” He stood and left the room, taking the trash with him.
“Shit!” she whispered to the empty room.
Out of her league. That was how she felt right about now. On trembling legs, she got up and redressed before grabbing the sheets and heading to the laundry room to place them on the floor. She’d do them next. Once she’d ducked into her bathroom, she cleaned herself up and splashed some ice-cold water on her face.
Staring in the mirror she scoffed. “What the hell are you doing?” she demanded of her reflection.
Enjoying the man.
“No, we’re getting in too deep. It’s a good thing he’s leaving to stay with Laila.”
Yeah, right. Not even she bought that load of crap. She didn’t want him to go. She wanted him to stay here. With her. Hold her at night in bed. Love her until the morning.
“Cripes, Roxi, what is this, fantasy? He made his decision. Suck it up and move on.”
Reaching for a towel, she dried off her face then made her way to the living room where Eric and Sam played. A shiver overtook her as Sam’s blue eyes raked over her. Dangerous. Seriously fucking dangerous.
She walked into the kitchen and stood there, gripping the edge of a counter while her gaze transfixed on something in the backyard. Nothing of importance, just a spot as she tried to get Sam Hoch out of her mind, body, heart and—damn it—her soul.
Roxi managed to maintain her distance from him while he was in the house. She kept to her bedroom, door open in case Eric called for her, but otherwise hung out in her room. The distance was needed or else she would lose what little of her cool she had left.
“Bye, Roxi,” Sam said from the doorway.
Her fingers tightened briefly around the spine of the book she was reading before she looked up to see him lounging there.
“Bye.”
“I’ll see you.”
And I’ll see you every fucking night in my dreams. Damn it! He had her cursing much more than usual. She hated such displays of vulgar behaviour and now here she was, reduced to doing it as well.
“Right.” She focused back on her book.
Too late she realised he’d not left. Of course not. He came closer and yanked the book from her hands. Snapping her head up, she glared at him. He rotated his wrist so he could see the cover and stared at her.
“The Amber Room?”
“Yes. It’s a very good book. Do you mind?” Steve Berry was a favourite author of hers.
He handed it back to her. “Nope.” One last intensely dominant look—which made her wonder if there wasn’t now a stam
p of proprietary ownership on her body from him—and he left.
Her hand trembled slightly as she lowered the book to her lap. How was it possible for one person to affect another so powerfully? Unfurling her legs, she rose and padded in socked feet to the living room, where Eric still played.
“Want to play, Aunt Roxi?”
Bookmarking her page, she placed it on an end table. “Sure.” It might be just the thing she needed to try to keep her thoughts of Sam Hoch at bay.
* * * *
She and Eric had a nice meal at the house that night and when he was in bed she paused in locking up to glance out of the front window. Another bout of rain had arrived and for a moment she debated whether to get her vehicle and put it in the garage. Flipping the deadbolt into the locked position, she shook her head and turned off the lights.
It would be fine until morning. She made her way back to her room, took a long hot shower, then slid beneath the blankets. Sleep didn’t come easily and when it did, her dreams were full of Sam. She woke—again—to his name on her lips and her fingers deep inside her wet slit. Nowhere as good as the real thing.
Frustrated, she slipped from bed and cleaned up before dressing. The rain had ceased and she opened the door to Eric’s room to see him still asleep. She backed out and headed to the garage. Opening the door, she smiled slightly as the dove-grey morning pierced the darkness. Shoving her hands into her pockets to get her gloves, she glanced around before locating what she wanted.
Bag in hand, she walked to her car and began cleaning it out. It had been a while and there were some things which definitely could afford to be removed. She put in an ear bud for her iPod and turned on some music, leaving one out so she could hear Eric if he called for her.
She cleaned, dusted and straightened up her Tribeca until it was back to her standards. Vacuuming would come later, once more people woke up in the subdivision—it was still early. Walking to her trash bin, she rolled her shoulders then disposed of what she’d collected and lifted her head when headlights came around the corner. A taxi.
Roxi went back into her garage and grabbed the broom to sweep it out. She paused when the yellow car stopped by the end of her driveway. After placing the broom against the wall, she went to the end of the garage and watched as the driver got out and the back door opened.
