Toxic

by Kathy Coopmans

  “Your uncles Guy and Cub are here, and the kids.”

  “Really?” I slip my hand through the crook in his arm, pretending I haven’t a clue what’s going on. I can’t help but grin at Dad calling my cousin's kids even though they are all adults. I play along with his trick, following him down to the lobby. I’m sure it’s hard for my dad not to ask about Alex. I’m not sure what I’d say if he did.

  Shouts of excitement serenade me. Cooper hugs our momma, my uncles Guy and Cub stand by them flanked by Amos, Jr. and the rest of the family. Tears well up in my eyes, knowing damn well my world has come full circle. It takes everything inside of me not to run upstairs and drag Alex down to meet my family.

  My mom rushes up to my side and hugs the hell out of me. She leans down and whispers in my ear, “He loves you. Faced your dad dead on and never backed down.”

  I hug her back. “I know, Mom. He’s a complicated man. There’s more to him than you know.”

  “Maria, it doesn’t matter. None of it does. Don’t you remember the story of your dad and me? I don’t give a shit what I don’t know about that man. It’s what I do know that counts. Let me tell you something.” She pulls back for a second. “Your dad had Cub do research on him as soon as he told us he was your boyfriend. He could’ve lied about who he is. He didn’t. He loves you. I see the possessive gleam in his eyes. If you love him, then love him and stay by his side.”

  So much has happened in the last hour, I just want to cry. “Thank you. I love you, Mom.”

  Everything that happens next is a whirlwind. Aunt Molly is proud as hell of the birthday cake she made for me. It’s gorgeous. A three-tiered cake with music notes and guitars all over it. It makes me smile since it’s so damn close to the birthday cake I got at The Shade Tree in Idaho. My people know me well. Cooper and Amos keep me entertained harassing the hell out me from pulling my hair to grabbing my presents, which entices a wrestling match. My brother and cousin outmatch me, but all it takes is a holler to my dad for the boys to back off. It’s worked ever since I knew how to speak. It’s all perfect, but there’s only one person on my mind, and I haven’t seen him. A few of the other guests have joined us having a slice of cake. Not Alex.

  “Come on, sweetheart; it’s tradition,” Mom hollers. Of course, my Dad has one hand secured around her waist. He doesn’t let her go as he hoists her up and runs his palms down her thighs.

  Cooper mutters his disgust next to me. I nod, reciprocating his comment. They’ve always been lovey-dovey while we were growing up. I thought it was gross at one point. That’s until Alex Diamond proved me wrong.

  She grabs the guitar she gifted me years ago. It was my carry-on on the plane and the one thing I always have close. It’s the same one Mom played for years until Dad came into her life. I step forward as she pulls her engraved one out my dad gave her on my fifth birthday. Dad only bought her a new one because it was the year I screamed and begged to have my own. Dad made everything right. He always does.

  I hop up on the front desk counter alongside my mom. Alex creeps down the stairs at the same time. He stands in the shadows of the corner, taking everything in. Mom picks the first song to our birthday jam session. I recognize it right away. “Seven Year Ache” by Rosanne Cash. We sing each word without missing a beat while strumming on our guitars. I never break eye contact with Alex.

  As the songs flow, he steps from the shadows, joining Cooper and Amos. Before long, he fits right in with my family, and that does bring tears to my eyes. I couldn’t have pictured a better birthday in my entire life.

  “Your family really goes all out for your birthday.” Alex grips the steering wheel and glances over at me.

  “Yeah.” I drop my head on his shoulder. “It can get pretty damn crazy, and you jumped right in.”

  “Our families come from opposite worlds. They couldn’t be any different, yet it’s funny how similar they are.”

  “I had the same thoughts when I met your family.”

  He doesn’t mention the fact my dad and uncles pulled him aside. I have no doubt it was about his family and the mafia and my dad’s concern for his little girl. Alex came out of the back office with the three of them smiling and laughing, leaving me to assume it all went well. He strode right over to me and kissed my forehead. That was enough of an answer for me.

  “Is this the road?” Alex jerks his chin.

  “Yeah.” I cuddle closer to him, placing my hand on his chest. “You look sexy driving my truck.”

  Alex shakes his head and clutches my hand on his chest. “I put a lot on you today. Maria, never be afraid of asking questions or telling me how you feel.”

  “I promise I won’t be scared,” I whisper.

  “I’m never walking away from you again.”

  “Good.” I sit up and kiss his cheek when he puts the truck in park. “This is my favorite place in the world, Alex.”

  Dad and my uncles were starting a poker game and sipping on whiskey when I decided to sneak out of my own party. Alex assured me the alcohol didn’t bother him. He has to be around it for the rest of his life and promised me he’d tell me if he was in a situation he couldn’t handle.

  “Holy shit.” Alex stares out in front of us. “That sunset.”

  “Let’s go before we miss it.” I shove on his shoulder and grab the large blanket. I beat him to the field near the pond, spreading out the blanket.

  When I turn around, Alex strides up to me with two wrapped gifts and a sheepish look on his face.

  “Here you go, birthday girl.” He leans forward and kisses my forehead with the gifts still in his hands. “Which one first?”

  He hands me the bigger package after I point. I gently pull away the perfected wrapping paper to find a clothing box. The paper drifts to the ground as does the lid as I balance the box and pull out an Idaho Diamonds jersey.

  “I love it. Now I have game-day gear.” I rise up on my tiptoes and give him a kiss. He turns it into a full-fledged make-out session.

  “Turn it around,” he says, chest heaving, eyes drifting down the jersey as I cradle it to my body.

  I burst out in laughter and feel my heart swell when I read the words ‘Alex’s Girl’ on the back.

  “You think that’s funny?” He pulls me flush to his body.

  “I do. It’s sweet as hell. I’ll wear it proudly.”

  “Wear it to school, so D-bag gets the memo.”

  “D-bag?” I ask, knowing right where he’s heading with his comment since he referred to Lance with it earlier. I should have put the breaks on it when he said it. I was too caught up with seeing him to reply.

  “Lance,” he growls.

  “We’re just friends, Alex. There was never anything between us. It was always you.”

  “Maria.” He cups my face. “You’re too damn innocent. You have no idea how damn sexy you are. That guy might be telling you one thing, guarantee he’s thinking another.”

  “Yeah? Keep talking, not about him, about how sexy I am.” I smile up at him.

  “I don’t have plans to keep talking.” He leans down, nips my bottom lip, and places the other gift in my hand.

  I back up enough to pull the wrapping off and am left with a long, skinny black velvet box. Alex snatches it from my hands.

  “Hey, that’s mine,” I tease.

  “It is yours. Let me explain what it means. It’s been absolute hell since I walked out of your apartment. I’ve thought about it over and over, envisioning how being with you would have felt. I want you. I’ve wanted you since I met you.”

  I’m nervous about doing this, but nothing has ever felt this right. “I want you, too,” I whisper, reach the hem of my top, and pull it over my head. His eyes flash with fire when I slide the straps of my bra down, unhook it, and let it fall to the ground.

  “Let me finish undressing you.” I squirm when he advances on me, backing us up and laying me on the blanket.

  He takes his time pulling off my boots and running his hands up my inner thi
ghs until he reaches the hem of my shorts. Slowly, without taking his eyes off me, he peels them down along with everything else until I’m exposed to him.

  “You are gorgeous. I’m going to take my time with this body.”

  Want and greed flood through me. The warmth on my face filters down my neck and hits me right between the thighs. I’ll never get enough of this man. He licks his lips and grabs the black box.

  “Bought this before I went to rehab. It kept me grounded knowing there was an end to my torture. I’d go to sleep dreaming about you wearing it. And how it’d look against your creamy bare skin.”

  He pops open the lid and pulls out a simple silver necklace. It dangles from his finger. A flicker of sparkle catches my eye as it swings back and forth. I gasp when it comes into full sight.

  “One day, I’m going to make you officially a Diamond. Until then, wear mine.”

  “Alex.” I reach up and run the pad of my finger over a perfect round diamond.

  His body covers mine with his elbows framing my face as he clasps it around my neck. I reach up for his lips, but he leans back on his knees before I can kiss him. He plants his hands on his hips and stares at me.

  “Say something,” I whisper.

  “It’s better than I could’ve ever imagined.” He reaches for the buckle on his belt.

  I play his game, sitting up, feeling the comfort of the cold metal of the necklace glide down my chest. “Let me.”

  He tosses his head back, a growl rumbling in his chest once I get his pants open and tug them down. He’s already hard and throbbing through his black boxers. I lick my lips before reaching underneath the waistband. When my hand wraps around his smooth, hard shaft, he hisses and bucks his hips forward.

  “My beautiful Maria. Are you sure about this?”

  My smile up at him holds nothing back. It’s telling him I’ve never been so sure of anything in my whole life.

  17

  Alex

  Never in a million years did I imagine I’d come back to this place. I really wasn’t sure I’d be able to handle coming here knowing it was where I first met Maria. Treating her like shit, wasted the entire time. I was a dick, and there’s no way of getting around that fact. It’s something I’ve learned I have to accept.

  “Can’t say I’ve seen anything as beautiful as you spread out on a blanket.” Handfuls of all kinds of sin are waiting for me to devour.

  I press up to my feet. My hands are itching to touch her. My biceps quivering as I’m drinking in every inch of her body. From her painted red toes to the pink flush in her cheeks. The sunset giving off the perfect glow to her body.

  “Spread your legs, baby.” Thank fuck, it’s private back here. I want to taste her. Hear her scream when she comes all over my face.

  A few seconds pass before she moves. Her perfectly sculpted legs opening and exposing that temple of perfection. The one she kept sacred for me. Not going to lie to myself, I feel like a king knowing she’s a virgin. Scares the shit out of me, enthralls me, excites me. I feel all kinds of emotions knowing this woman will soon be mine and only mine. I swallow. My mouth is drier than a sandbox in the middle of summer.

  I’d give anything for the sun to shine in full force right now, just so I can study the perfection that is her. The pink and orange of the sunset glide over her creamy skin, making my cock jut up.

  “Need to taste you, Maria.” I lean back down until I’m breathing her air. I run the tip of my nose along her jawline, inhaling her sweet scent. “You giving all of this to me, baby? Tell me to stop at any time if you feel uncomfortable.”

  Her nails dig into the flesh of my shoulder blades as her hips flex up hoping for some friction. Her lips part, and her tongue darts out. It takes everything inside of me not devour her right this second.

  “I will. I’m yours, Alex. I’m not scared, just nervous about the unknown, but I trust you. I know you won’t hurt me.”

  I linger in the feeling of this woman’s touch. “You’re in control here. Do you get me? I’m going to make you feel like you never have before. Won’t stop until you’re writhing underneath me and singing my name in praise. Won’t ever get enough of you.”

  The glowing gleam of the sun going to rest is not enough for me to see all of her. I want to gaze at her hooded eyes, her sincerity, and see the diamond nestling between her tits. Christ, she’s a vision. A man’s sweet dream that will be my saving grace at the end of my horrible nightmare.

  “Okay,” she whispers.

  My pulse pounds in my chest. Nerves rattling all over the place.

  I’m all in with this girl. Deep and overcome with emotions of falling over the cliff of life with her. And I don’t want to surface. It’s too early to be telling her I’ve thought about spending a lifetime with her, but I meant what I said about someday making her one hundred percent mine. Can’t help to envision it, seeing her swollen with the next generation of Diamonds. Worshipping her, loving her, taking care of her all the while letting her be independent.

  I rub my hands down my face to calm my nerves before dropping them to the hem of my shirt and whipping it over my head.

  Her breath catches as she perches up on her elbows, eyes flaring wild, licking those plump lips and staring at my chest. It’s a look of pure, raw desire. Especially when her mouth parts and her tongue darts out to lick her lips. That movement alone is enough to drive me to my knees. I’ve never wanted to be the beginning of what I pray leads to a perfect ending in all my life.

  Fingers going to my black boxers, every muscle in my body going tight, I slide out my cock as I slip them down my legs, allowing her to get her fill.

  “I fought my need for you for too damn long, Maria. For both our sakes. You sure you want this? It might sound cliché, but once I’m inside of you, there’ll be no going back for either one of us.” I’ve always cast my emotions aside whenever I’ve had sex. Won’t be happening this time. A part of me knew it when I first laid my eyes on her. I was too fucked up, too far gone to know just how special she is.

  “I want this, Alex. I meant what I said; it’s always been you.”

  I close my eyes briefly. Her words slamming me in the center of my chest. She makes me feel. I hunger to let her know she means more to me than words can say. Thing is, words have nothing on the way she makes me want to go all in for her. She brings out a part of me I thought was lost.

  She’s become my weakness that has turned a broken man into a repaired one. She’s shaken me up, made me want to be a man worthy of her. A lucky one at that. Heaven help me because I will never give her up. Never treat her less than she deserves. I’ve claimed her, and it has nothing to do with the fact I’m about to take her virginity.

  “You’re perfect, Maria. So damn perfect just the way you are.”

  I not only need to get my mouth on her sweet body, but I also need her wet for me. The idea of pleasing us both while hurting her at the same time disturbs me.

  Kneeling, I place my hands on her thighs. Scorching heat meets my palms and zaps straight to my dick. “Fuck, I can smell your sweet scent from here.”

  My body rages to be inside of her sweet heat. It takes sheer determination not to focus on how fucking good she’s going to feel. It’s not a lingering idea. It’s a solid fact this brave, confident woman is about to destroy me.

  I don’t give her or me time to say anything else. I bite the inside of one of her thighs, nibble the flesh until I’m right where my tongue wants to be. I want to dip my tongue in every curve, own her, and hear her scream my name as she comes for the first time all over my cock.

  “Beautiful and mine,” I growl, lick right up her center, and nearly die. I’m going to go from an addiction that could have ruined me to one that saves me. My beautiful Maria.

  Her soft moans fill the night air. Music as sweet as her voice to my ear.

  “Alex, I want you. It’s… God, it’s not enough,” she says, back bowing as she presses her slick pussy further into my face.

  I
circle her clit, lick every inch of her. Run a finger between her folds and dip inside her warm walls. I taste and devour. Balls tightening. Never has anything tasted sweeter. I’m ruined. Fucking undone. I focus on what Maria needs so I don’t blow my load in this moment.

  I work the same motion over and over, adding an extra finger. Maria’s cries turn into a chant, her walls clamping around my fingers, and her inner thighs compressing around the side of my head. It all fuels me. A greed I’ve never experienced takes over. I don’t stop until she crumbles underneath me.

  “I’ll give you everything you want and more,” I growl, push myself up, and wipe her juices from my lips and chin with the back of my hand. I take my time lapping up the rest with my tongue.

  I bend down and dominate her mouth like a savage. Rough and wild. Maria doesn’t hold back devouring her pleasure. Her hips buck up with the tip of my rock-hard cock bobbing at her entrance.

  “Baby.” I lean back up.

  “No, not again. Alex Diamond, you’re not stopping this time.” Her nails dig into my pecs as she struggles to pull me back down.

  I chuckle and shake my head. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  Grabbing the condom out of my wallet, I tear it open, sheath myself, and feel Maria’s gaze on every inch of my flesh. Fuck, I want more than anything for her hand to be rolling the latex on. My hand goes right back between her legs, dipping two fingers inside of her while I hover over her and fuck her mouth with mine.

  I pull back, needing to ask her one more time if she’s sure.

  She must be by the way she digs her fingernails into my ass, ushering me to where she wants me. Her need ravages me. It takes everything inside of me to go slow when all I want to do is fuck the hell out of her. Make her mine and coat this innocent beauty in my cum.

  I slip inside of her at a slow and steady pace. Her face pinches as she clenches my biceps and whimpers. I take it slow when all I want to do is go balls deep.

  “You okay?” I kiss her forehead all the while clenching my jaw at the sensation of her pussy wrapping tightly around me. Damn, this is utter perfection. I have never felt anything this good.