Deeper (The Deeper Chronicles #1)

by Allyn Lesley

  Not bothering to turn around, he replied, “I’ve got you.”

  With their drinks in hand, Noah approached her. She had a quizzical look on her face, and he wondered what she was thinking. “Here.” He held out a tumbler.

  “Thanks.”

  He debated sitting beside her on the sofa, but if her head was as jumbled as his, she’d want her space. He opted to sit in the chair opposite her.

  “So...”

  “Um...”

  Their words tumbled over each other’s. Noah exhaled and Avi slumped backward on the couch.

  “To be fair...” He had been known to be anything but. He paused when her face twisted into a scowl, and it wasn’t from the strong drink he had given her. “What’s with the look?”

  He assessed her critical stare and then realized she didn’t believe his words. He wasn’t going to try to sway her otherwise, because she was right not to trust him. He did and said whatever it took to come out ahead, on top—that was his nature.

  Avi shrugged and seemed to use her clutched glass against her chest as protection.

  “Harry’s your father?”

  “That’s what he told me. I have no proof.” When she glanced out the windows at the dark sky, he figured she was trying to avoid him or maybe gather her thoughts. He wasn’t sure.

  “Harry called you out of the blue. Just like that?”

  “I came home two weeks ago and saw a card sticking out of the mailbox. We spoke on the phone six, maybe seven days ago and decided to meet for brunch today. Well, earlier yesterday morning. He chose the place.”

  “Did you see anything? Anyone?” His questions rushed out clipped and bitter.

  He hung his head in defeat at Avi’s insistent, silent no.

  Noah’s back curved against the onslaught of memories—vivid images of the only father he’d ever known. He leaned forward and propped his elbows on his thighs then rested his chin in his hands. His tear ducts felt funny and his vision blurred.

  Like a bad accident, the reality of the situation demanded to be dealt with. Noah had never had to process the death of someone close to him. Letting too many people in could mess with your mind or lead to serious jail time. Both could fuck up your money, and neither was tolerated by Noah.

  And, if there was one thing Noah was always serious about, it was his money.

  He gulped air that couldn’t get to his lungs fast enough.

  Money comes and goes, but friends, they last. A saying Harry had drilled into Noah’s head before he had left for basic training.

  Harry had declared that friends shouldn’t lie to each other, and gave Noah a sense of belonging. He’d shared the older man’s words of wisdom with Cass and Ro. And eventually with Gavin when he had come on board.

  Lost inside his growing misery, Noah’s head fell forward, but it was suddenly buffeted and held up by Avi’s stomach. Her warm hands wound their way around his neck, kneading the tightness that had embedded itself there since Ro’s call.

  “He was my friend,” Noah whispered. “Like a damn father...only one I ever knew. And now...”

  Noah reminded himself to breathe, and regained his slipping control.

  Only pussies cry. Words he’d heard long ago stopped any physical reactions that would have helped console him. He crept his hands up Avi’s thighs and pulled her closer, wedging her body between his open legs.

  Someone killed my friend.

  Avi’s touch was tender as she threaded her fingers through his thick hair.

  Another memory flew out his mouth. “You know that bastard stopped talking to me for two years?” He would laugh, but it wasn’t really funny.

  Avi said nothing.

  Pressure squeezed his heart, mangling it. “I’d call the prick, you know on holidays and shit, and just talked, but that stubborn son-of-a-bitch...” He never spoke back.

  Noah’s left hand covered his heart, which quickened with each of his breaths. He attempted to keep the organ in its place, but the galloping beats seemed to vibrate under his hand.

  “I-I don’t know what to do,” she said above him.

  I don’t either. Needing to be closer to her, he wrapped his arms around her and pressed his face into her pelvis. Her scent calmed him, pulling him from his pain. “Just come closer, come closer.” She was what he needed. “Closer, Avi.”

  His hands flitted around to her ass.

  She stiffened and her hands stilled. “No-Noe...” Uncertainty was clear in her tone.

  “Don’t stop. I need...” Noah’s voice ceased. He lacked the emotional tools needed to deal with this. One-upmanship, rivalry, and making his enemies disappear—those were his skills, and no one was better than him.

  Dealing with this shit, though—people he cared for dying—this was new. He was fucking Noah Adams, the king of New York, but even he couldn’t defy death. The corner of his eyes itched. “He did shit for me. I never thanked him for any of it. Ever.” A sole tear worked its way down, streaking his cheek.

  “Avi.” He struggled to get out those three letters. He swallowed a sob, even though it tried to suffocate him. He pulled her closer, wanting to disappear in her body, rumpling her shirt in the process. He needed her. She helped him breathe. One of his hands bunched her shirttail while the other possessively kneaded her ass.

  “N-Noah.”

  He raised his head. She looked so much like her father. The unshed tears in her eyes reminded him of the only time he’d ever seen Harry cry—the day Noah had sat on the same park bench Harry had rescued him from.

  Her fingers curled behind his head, moving through his hair. It was the start of what he needed, but he didn’t know how to ask her for comfort.

  Please.

  But the word wouldn’t leave his lips.

  Avi yielded to him.

  Tears dripped from her eyes as she sensed Noah’s pain. His glossy, black eyes reflected her image so clearly: trembling lips and stained cheeks. The way he spoke of Harry, of the things he experienced with Harry...she never had that. Her hand dropped from his hair, joining the other one on his shoulders. She gripped it, needing his strength. When his hands tightened about her waist, she knew he needed her too.

  Head down, she wanted to say something, tell him how affected she was by his words, what it was like for her without a dad...the father he had. But even as she parted her lips to try to communicate her jumbled thoughts, only a strangled sob came out.

  Her breath caught in the back of her throat when he stood suddenly, his face a mask but his tender hand on her face a diversion from the pain gripping her heart. His fingers squeezed her chin, almost painfully, and then dropped lower.

  A hard tug and material pooled at her foot.

  A whoosh of a breath left her nervous body.

  His eyes glinted with appreciation over the swelling of her hips.

  Everything about this man called to her like no one before.

  Maybe if she told him how she felt, the fear would lessen. “I’m scared.”

  “I’ve got you.”

  His mouth angled toward hers. Their kiss was combustive, all consuming, and rife with the heartache they both felt. They grappled for each other, walking in sync until the back of her knees hit the couch.

  She groaned.

  He grunted when they tumbled onto it.

  She clawed at his clothing out of desperation, wanting to feel his smooth skin. Her chest panted with lack of air but she didn’t need to breathe as long as he was on top of her making her entire being come alive, more alive than she’d ever felt.

  His face flashed before hers then he disappeared.

  His hot breath aroused the soaked seat of her panties. He sucked on the imprint of her clit through the material. Shoving the material to the side, one of her legs was swung over the back of the couch. She moaned when his mouth covered her soft flesh, sucking it from its hiding place. He swirled the bud into his mouth and inserted a finger inside her. Avi shifted with each lap of his tongue, grinding into his face. She s
et the hectic rhythm, grasping the sides of his face, holding his tongue and mouth hostage against the part of her body that demanded a release. Riding his face, she commanded him to sink his fingers deeper into the cheeks of her ass.

  “So close. Don’t stop.”

  He licked her.

  His tongue slurped up any essence that dripped from her lips.

  His mouth held her clit in place, swirling around it.

  When he pushed two more of his fingers, she swore she’d gone to heaven.

  Gripping her ass, he held her steady as she tried to back away from his insistent movements. Her body gushed, pleased with the promise his tongue and fingers told her he was capable of delivering.

  “Y-yes. Ye-yes. Don’t...I’m com—”

  “That’s it,” Noah mumbled.

  She held onto his head with force, pushing his mouth onto her. Her body writhed on its own.

  The crescendo came. Avi flooded his tongue.

  Biting her inner thigh, he gritted out, “That shit was good.”

  She jerked away from the injury, but the spot was quickly soothed by Noah’s kiss. His wicked tongue swiped at her opening.

  Avi backed away from his demanding mouth as ecstasy raced through her. “Sen-sensitive,” she said, legs quaking and belly flip-flopping.

  He gave the distended nub one last swipe. She shivered. Her jelly-like hands worked themselves around his back just as he nestled into the crook of her neck.

  “You feel good?” Noah asked.

  All she could do was smile. She radiated contentment.

  Noah’s nose skimmed her jawline before he lifted his head to meet her eyes. His hand popped open his pants’ button, announcing his intention.

  Avi’s eyes shone and her lips parted.

  A throat cleared once, twice. “Boss...”

  Her eyes widened.

  Noah hissed and dropped his head between Avi’s breasts.

  She wiggled, pulling a low moan from Noah. “Stop,” he whispered. His head popped up just as Avi’s eyes closed in mortification. “What the fuck do you want?” he asked.

  Avi winced at his raised voice.

  “Sorry.” Ro coughed. “The phone.”

  Hidden behind the high back of the couch, Avi’s cheeks flamed. She balled her fists and shook her leg. She was on the verge of panicking. If Noah’s friend saw her like this...

  “Relax. He won’t come over here,” Noah said, reassuring her. “I have to go.” He kissed her pursed lips.

  Though low, she found her voice. “O-okay. I’ll leave.”

  Avi attempted to move, but couldn’t; Noah’s solid weight held her down. His squinted gaze forced further explanation, which fell from Avi’s lips. “Home. I’m going home.”

  “Like hell you are.”

  “Noe,” Ro called out, insistence forefront.

  “You’re staying. Here.” He stood, adjusting himself.

  The man in front of her was much different, harsher, than the man who had just brought her so much pleasure. Avi scrambled into a sitting position. Her mouth opened to give him a piece of her mind.

  “You’re staying. That’s final.” He spun away, but returned with haste. “I forgot this.” The kiss was slow and sensual, giving her a preview of what they would share. “Stay.”

  “But...”

  “Stay.”

  “Okay.”

  He smiled at her and Avi relaxed. “Ro, I’ll join you in a few.” Noah headed in the other direction.

  Avi’s arm covered her face. What the heck am I doing?

  “He’ll be hard to get to.”

  “Let me worry about that,” a masculine voice with a foreign accent demanded. His body turned to the one curved into his. His big hands ran over the angular frame he’d become acquainted with.

  A hand flitted over his hard member.

  “Be careful, young one.”

  Smaller hands moved lower. “I’ve got you by the balls. What are you gonna do?” Seduction was the name of the game these two favored.

  He easily overpowered his lover, shackling their hands to the top of the massive bed. “I told you I always get what I want.”

  “And what is it you want?”

  He flipped his companion to their knees, sheathing himself with a condom.

  A grunt was heard as the man forcibly took what he desired, eliciting a welcoming moan.

  Noah’s knock was sharp on the door. He knew she was there. He could hear her moving around behind the locked door of his spare bedroom.

  Unable to get her scent off his fingers or her taste out of his mouth, Noah had walked to this very door late last night. Or was it earlier this morning? Three hours after fielding text messages and responding to phone calls, he was back for more.

  He had considered knocking, but remembered she’d had a long day. Hell, his day had been even longer. Though he longed to bury his cock in her, he had decided to give them both time to rest.

  But his chivalry kicked him in the nuts, literally, when even after his shower, his hard dick called him a fool and dared him to use the key he had to Avi’s room.

  He didn’t.

  Now, he stared at the locked door and wondered what was going on.

  “Who is it?” Her words were low, as if she was nearer to the door than before.

  “Me.”

  “Me who?”

  He didn’t miss the snark in her tone. He shoved his hands in his pockets so he wouldn’t be tempted to rattle the door off its hinges. “Bugs Fucking Bunny.” Now I’m talking like her. He swore he heard her curse. “Open up.”

  The door cracked open just a sliver. She stood there tapping her foot as if he was a bother. She wore a form-fitting skirt that complimented her shape. He liked that she had on some of the clothing he’d ordered for her while she slept in the back of his vehicle. Maybe there’s time for a quick—

  “Did you need something?”

  They’d have time to fuck...later. “You have to go to work, and so do I. I’ll drop you off...” His words came to an unnatural stop at the defiant way her head shook. The plan had been to have breakfast together before the start of their day. But she was wasting time. He glanced at his watch.

  “Am I keeping you?” Avi asked. Her tone was cutting and her features a tight mask.

  “Let’s eat.” He turned.

  “Asshole,” Avi muttered.

  The door slammed. The sound registered right away, but his ears perked up when he didn’t hear footsteps in his wake. He went from confused to pissed. Noah stomped his way back to the door. His fist was relentless.

  She yanked the door open. A draft came from inside, wafting Avi’s scent into his nostrils. It pulled him closer, but he was stopped in his tracks by her cold demeanor. His morning was already fucked and he had little tolerance for this ball-busting, pain in the ass woman.

  Noah cocked his head to the side. “You’re not a morning person?”

  He was greeted with silence.

  “PMSing?” He took another guess. “You’re on your period?”

  Avi’s gaze narrowed. Her hands left her hips and balled at her sides.

  “Then why the hell didn’t you follow me?” Noah threw his hands up.

  When his cock had finally cooperated and allowed him to drift off to sleep last night, he was plagued by nightmares of chasing Harry’s killer. In his dream, the figure was quick and elusive, always changing shape. Eventually, Noah caught up to them and was ready to deal with the person responsible for Harry’s murder. It turned out to be a faceless figure with a maniacal laugh. He never got another wink of sleep after that.

  Avi took a step toward him, pulling Noah back to the matter at hand. She tipped her head back to make eye contact. “First, I don’t work for you. So following you is not something I’m going to do. Second, you need to learn some manners.” She brushed past him. The click of her heels echoed across the wooden floor.

  Noah’s eyes darted from the space Avi had stood to where her form was headed. For the
life of him, he couldn’t figure out what had happened.

  When he finally neared her, he thought he heard, “...such an idiot.” But he wasn’t sure, so he ignored her muttering. He blew out a harsh breath and ran his hand through his hair before following her down the hall.

  She turned the tables on him so quickly.

  When they reached the kitchen, he pulled out one of his bar stools for her. She didn’t approach him or the seat. Noah looked at the chair and then back at her, confused as to why it was still empty. Her anger was clear in her tight jaw and clenched fists.

  “Avi.” Her defiance was wearing his already thin patience much thinner. “Sit.”

  “You’re not going to say anything?”

  “Say anything about what?” He tapped the top of the stool.

  She sat with exaggeration. “You left.”

  “You saw me leave.” He sat beside her, picking up a bagel.

  “You never came back,” she croaked out, lowering her face.

  His hand swiveled her stool to face him. He captured her chin in his hand, gently tipping her head back. “I did.”

  “You did?”

  Cocking his head to the side, he realized the reason for her attitude. Her words were measured, bordering on snappish, but her eyes were bright with questions. “I did. But I thought you’d be too tired.” He left it at that, pulling his hand away.

  Her grin softened her features. Her face was awash with her personality, flitting between relief and carefree, which she tried to hide. Noah was struck once again by Avi’s simple beauty. She continued to throw him off his guard. A grin pulled at his lips, revealing his teeth.

  “I’m sorry.” The words were rushed out, but they still surprised him. When there was no timely response from her, he was beginning to regret saying anything.

  With her head held straight and facing his galley-style kitchen, she whispered, “I like it when you’re respectful, Mr. Adams.”

  Avi’s steady hand brought her cup to her lips. Between her words and her ordinary action, he envisioned mornings filled with teasing and light-hearted banter. His mind ran rampant with images of his lips tasting her nipples and driving his cock into her.