by Marie James
I ask Ian to man the grill and walk towards the girls. They’ve settled onto the lounge chairs and are huddled close together over fruity cocktails. I hear them shush each other as I approach.
“You ladies over here gossiping?” I prod.
“Always,” Alexa answers.
I look down and Josie and fight against the desire to run my finger down her face. “Josie, can you help me in the kitchen for a minute?” The way she cuts her eyes over to her sister in disconcerting. She seems nervous. It makes me wonder if Lorali has an issue with us being together. I was glad Alexa gave her approval, but the sister not liking the situation could cause doubt in Josie.
“Sure,” she agrees. She sets her drink down on the patio table and takes my proffered hand.
I see the looks she gives Alexa and Lorali as I guide her away from them. I’m tense and on alert, the uncertainness of the situation making my stomach turn.
“Stay,” I tell Mia as she stands to follow us into the house. She whimpers, well aware of the tension I’m sure is rolling off of me in waves.
I guide Josie through the sliding glass door and close it behind us. We make our way to the kitchen, but the wall I pressed her against earlier is too alluring. With my hands on her hips, I gently ease her against the wall. I press my body against her and run my mouth softly down the column of her neck from her ear to her exposed shoulder.
She giggles and softens in my arms.
“What’s wrong, Josie?” I pull my face back and peer into her eyes, so I can read her nonverbal cues as well as her spoken words. I’ve never been prouder of all my interview training than I am at this moment.
“What do you mean?” She cuts her eyes in the direction of the patio door.
I tilt my head at the reaction. “You’re avoiding looking at me. You seem upset.” I answer. “Are you having second thoughts about us?” I say laying it all out there.
She turns her head abruptly back to me. “Of course not!” She frowns.
“Then why are you upset?”
“Honestly?” She questions.
“Always be honest with me, Mariposa. No matter what, always honest.” What does she think I want her to lie to me?
“We have a lot to talk about, Kaleb. Can we talk when everyone leaves?” She bites her bottom lip and gazes at me expectantly.
“Let’s talk now,” I tell her.
She clears her throat. “I can’t think when you’re pressed against me.”
“Why is that?” my seductive tone makes her smile.
“When you’re pressed against me all I can think about is…” she pauses, her cheeks blushing.
“What does it make you think about, Josie?” I press my growing erection against her center.
Her eyes roll back and a low moan ghosts past her lips. “You…” she pants. “It makes me think about you and how bad I want you inside of me.” I groan at her confession and nearly come in pants when she adds, “How bad I want your mouth on me. Your tongue tasting me.”
I pull back from her. “You’ll have all of that, Mariposa. But tell me why you were upset outside.”
I watch as she gives her head a quick shake; her attempt to clear her head apparent. “I don’t know what we are, Kaleb. I don’t know where I stand with you.”
How does she have even a fraction of doubt about us? “I’m yours, Josie.” I smile at her smile. “If you want me.”
“I want you, Kaleb. But what does that even mean?” She drops her eyes as if she’s unsure if she’s ready for the answer.
I gently hook my finger under her chin and raise her face, forcing her to look into my eyes. “It means you’re mine, Josie.” She huffs, and I know my answer doesn’t give her any more information than it did a minute ago. “I can’t even explain it, but I’m drawn to you. I want to spend every second of the day near you, touching you, inside of you. You consume me, Josie.”
“So that makes you my boyfriend?” Her grin is adorable.
“Yes. For now, anyways.” I lean in and take her mouth with my own before she has a chance to contemplate my answer. I hope she doesn’t reflect on my response as thinking that what we have is temporary rather than one question away from making her permanent in my life, which is where my head is at.
Her soft hands glide under my shirt and up my bare back. It takes more strength than I thought I ever possessed to not pick her up and carry her to the bedroom. I rub my thumb across her bottom lip. She nips at it, and the action makes my already straining cock jump in my pants, underwear restriction be damned.
“Is that the only thing that’s been bothering you?” She cuts her eyes, and I know there’s more.
“Well…” she begins and then pauses.
“Honesty, Josie” I urge her.
She sighs, resigned that I won’t allow her to be upset and us not talk about it. “Lorali told my parents about the break-in at the apartment.”
“That’s good, Mariposa. I’m surprised you didn’t call them yourself.”
“I’ve been distracted,” she replies and raises her eyebrows.
“I love distracting you.” I lean in and suck her bottom lip between my teeth and slowly drag my head back releasing it.
She slaps my chest with her tiny hand. “Stop, so I can get this out.”
I pull my head back from her. “There’s more?”
“My parents are coming to Denver and want you to join us for lunch tomorrow.” She says all in one breath like she has to get the information out there before she chicken’s out. “She already told them you were my boyfriend.” I don’t even try to hold back my grin at her admission.
Her bright eyes are shining, and all of the displeasure I saw earlier is gone. “I’d love to meet your parents, Josie.” Then a thought occurs to me. “Do you not want me to meet them?”
Her smile falls. “Of course, I do! I was worried you’d think it was too soon,” she explains.
I shake my head and grin even bigger. “It’s not too soon.” Her insecurity makes me wonder what her response is going to be when I beg her to stay with me rather than look for another apartment. I’ll just have to show her how mutually beneficial her living here will be.
I press my body against hers once more and run my nose down her jawline. She relaxes into my embrace and makes a sigh of complete contentment. “We have to get back outside,” I whisper in her ear.
She groans a sound of displeasure. “I don’t think they’ll miss us!” Her eyes are pleading, and she glances towards the bedroom.
I’d love nothing more than to pick her up, carry her to the bedroom, and lock the whole world out while I show her just how good of a boyfriend I plan to be, but that would be rude, and my mother raised me better than that. “I’ll make it up to you, Mariposa. I promise.” I run my tongue up her neck and nip at her earlobe before pulling out her grasp abruptly.
She slaps my chest once again. “I’ll hold you to it!”
I smack her on the ass when she turns and starts to make her way back out to the patio; her giggle is music to my ears.
Chapter 19
Josie
My mood was drastically improved the second half of the cook-out. All I had to do was wink at Alexa and Lorali, and they knew everything was smoothed over. The day was quite enjoyable after that. We laughed, drank and ate, and had a great time.
Kaleb kept me snuggled to his side the rest of the day. The fear from the break-in and threats was always in the back of my mind, but Kaleb’s attentiveness made me feel protected and safe. How could any woman feel unsafe with Kaleb, Ian, and Garrett around? They’d never let anything happen to any of us three girls.
“So, we’ll see you guys at lunch tomorrow?” Lorali prods as we walk them to the door to leave.
Kaleb plants a soft kiss against my temple. “We’ll be there,” he states happily.
I smile up at him and melt at his enthusiasm to meet my parents, and as I look back to Lorali I can tell she’s just as ecstatic at the prospect of Kaleb and me; the
approval feels good.
I watch as Kaleb, Ian, and Garrett do the man handshake back slap thing as I give Alexa and Lorali hugs. The rambunctious day turns suddenly silent with the exit of our guests and the close of the front door.
I turn to walk back to the kitchen to begin the cleanup when my arm is tugged. I fall into Kaleb strong arms.
“Not so fast,” he whispers against my lips. “You are so beautiful,” he praises as he runs his index finger gently down my cheek.
I lean into his touch, my focus on his perfectly bowed mouth. The sight makes my mouth water causing me to lick my lips.
“You look hungry, Josie.” His voice is a soft growl.
“Ravenous,” I reply as I drag my eyes from his mouth to his gorgeous kelly green eyes. They’re full of mischief and the promise of a very interesting evening.
He grips me tighter against him, and I can feel the thunderous beat of his heart. “What are you hungry for?” He bends down and traces my lower lip with his velvety tongue.
A low moan escapes my lips, and my eyes flutter closed. His hand glides down my back and grips my butt firmly. I can feel his length against my stomach, and my core clenches in anticipation of what Kaleb is offering. I can’t seem to get enough of this man. In the last twenty-four hours, I’ve become a sex-crazed teenager, and I have to admit I love it!
“Tell me,” Kaleb demands as his free hand snakes into my hair and tugs my head back, forcing me to open my eyes. His look is borderline feral and even though I’m shocked at his sudden change in demeanor my nipples harden, and I grow wetter in anticipation.
“You,” I pant. “My body needs you.”
His lips crash against mine, and the hand gripping my backside sweeps under me, lifting me against him, forcing my long skirt up my thighs, and lining my needy center against his arousal. I moan into his mouth and rock my hips, rubbing up and down his length.
He turns us and with more restraint than his mouth tells me he has, he places me gently against the wall allowing him to cup my face with both hands. He clasps his teeth on my bottom lip and slowly pulls his mouth from mine.
“I promised in the shower earlier that I’d get you dirty. Do you want to be dirty, Mariposa?” He looks at me with heavy eyelids. I nod my head and grin at him. “How dirty do you want me to make you?” His voice is seductive and full of promise.
“Filthy,” I whisper against his lips. His growled response is like torpedoed fire to the apex of my thighs.
He kept his promise and then some; I’d never been dirtier in my life by the time the night was over with, and I collapsed in his arms.
***
Waking up Sunday morning in Kaleb’s arms was utter utopia. I smile against his chest remembering how our bodies were in perfect harmony last night. Sex with him has surpassed any and all expectations I’ve ever had about the act, but the way I feel waking in his arms is indescribable. I squeeze him tighter and let out a contented sigh.
“Good morning, Mariposa,” he whispers huskily against the top of my head before giving me a tender kiss on my forehead.
I raise my head up and look down at his magnificent chest, the muscled contour of his pecs and abs are phenomenal. I love how my milky white arm looks against his beautifully bronzed skin tone. This man is the epitome of physical perfection.
“You have that look in your eyes, Josie.” I hear Kaleb say.
“What look is that, Kaleb?” I tease.
“The look that says you’re about to maul me.”
I can’t help but giggle. “Is that so?” I pull my eyes from his beautiful chest to his equally striking face into his playful green eyes.
He nods. “What’s running through that stunning head of yours this early this morning?”
I sweep my hand across the expanse of his chest.
“You don’t want to know,” I respond and pull my gaze from him.
He reaches down and tips my chin back with his index finger. “Josie. We talked about this yesterday. Please don’t keep things from me.”
I sigh, knowing I promised to always be straight with him. “I was thinking about how perfect we are together.”
“What makes us perfect for each other, Josie?” He’s lowered his voice, his tone turning seductive.
“I come alive under your fingertips. I’ve never even really given thought to someone touching me like you have.” I swallow harshly. “Now I can’t imagine going a day without your touch.”
“And I feel the same way about you,” he adds softly.
I grin at him.
“Plus, you’re a cop, and I’m a teacher.” I shrug my shoulders. “My dad is going to love that.”
“Why is that?” He grins back at me.
“I’m his baby, and you have the ability to protect me. He knows I’ll be safe with you.” I lean in and give him a light kiss on the cheek.
“Always, Josie,” he whispers against my lips. “I’ll always protect you.”
I lie back down on his chest and hold him close. I’m nervous about lunch with my parents but what really has me tied in knots is leaving this house and the safety of his arms to go to work tomorrow. It’s been easy to push the thoughts and fear from the death threats out of my head since I’ve been here. Kaleb has kept my mind otherwise occupied, but knowing I have to go to work tomorrow makes my blood run cold.
He must feel me shiver. “Care to tell me what is really bothering you?”
“I’m a little nervous about lunch with my parents,” I lie.
“I thought you said your dad is going to love me?” I can hear the grin in his voice.
“I said he’ll love that you’re a cop,” I correct. “I’ve never introduced anyone to my parents before.” Never had anyone to introduce. “I feel like he will take one look at me and know what I’ve been doing the last couple of days.”
He hums low in his chest. “Did they push abstinence before marriage when you were growing up?”
“Not really,” I answer truthfully. “It was more about love and mutual respect.”
“I see.” Suddenly he flips me over onto my back. Looking down at me with a wide grin he adds, “So you’re saying you don’t respect me?” I love how his accent is out full force when he’s unguarded and playful.
I reach a delicate hand up and caress his cheek. “I have the utmost respect for you, Detective Perez.” I reach up and kiss him. “But there are a number of disrespectful things I want to do to your body.”
He moans as I wrap a leg around his hip and grind against him. “That so?”
I nod but shimmy myself out from under him. “But, we have to save that for later.” I jump off the bed and begin to head towards the bathroom for a shower.
Chapter 20
Kaleb
Meeting the parents. Man, things are moving quickly. I wonder to myself if I’m really concerned about the speed at which things are happening with Josie. I can honestly say no. I met her weeks ago and wanted to get to know her more then. I could be honest with her about the background check I’ve done, but that sounds stalkerish even to me. Didn’t stop me from doing it.
I tried telling myself running the background check on her was solely to see what kind of people she may have in her life that would send the threats, but I know the break-in has to do with Blake Evans and Alexa’s shooting. Hell, the boys at the precinct are running the prints in AFIS already. I just wanted to know more about her.
I almost let it slip that I knew her dad was a cop and her mother was a teacher just like her, but I caught myself. They’ve been married for twenty-eight years if my memory is right. I’m hoping it has been a happy marriage which I know will put Josie at ease about us. If it hasn’t been, then well? I may be fucked.
I don’t follow her into the bathroom. Instead, I head for the guest bedroom’s bathroom for a quick shower. There’s no way I’ll be able to keep my hands off of her soapy body if I climb in with her and I know she’s already worried about what her parents will think about us. I mentally prepare
myself for gentlemanly behavior and remind myself that these are her parents, not the same company we had over last night.
I towel off as I exit the shower stall and wrap the towel around my waist as I make my way back into the master bedroom. I clear the threshold just as Josie is exiting the bathroom. She’s adjusting the towel over her glorious breasts, and my body responds to the sight immediately. I almost groan and turn around and leave.
She stops in her tracks when she notices me. Her blue eyes darkening and her lids lowering. She licks her lips as her gaze drops to the white towel around my waist. My head tells me to put a stop to it. My dick tells me to shut the fuck up. The internal battle is brutal, but the head wins out. This time.
The sound of the doorbell breaks the trance. I watch her face as I drop the towel from my waist and grab a pair of sweats and a t-shirt out of the dresser. I stalk towards her once I’ve dressed. I lean in and nip at her ear. “Down girl,” I pant against her neck. I turn on my heel and leave the room, closing the door behind me.
I think about dead puppies as a means to calm my arousal before I make it to the door. I can’t help but snort at the ridiculousness of the thought. With my job I could channel much more gruesome memories if I needed to; the death of my father being one.
I check the peephole and turn off the alarm before I open the door and grab my wallet out of the bowl by the entryway.
“Mr. Perez?” The blue-uniformed worker asks as he peers down at paperwork on a clipboard. I smile, his heavy accent reminds me of my father and nod. “Please sign by the X.” He requests as he hands the clipboard to me. I hand him my debit card, and he swipes it on a handheld electronic device. A tiny receipt prints. “I have five crates for you. Where would you like me to put them?”
I sign and hand him back the paperwork; he trades it for the receipt. I slip into the pocket of my sweats. “Right here in the entryway would be perfect.”
He nods as he retreats back to his truck. I watch as he loads each box on a two-wheeler and brings them into the house. When Ian mentioned this service yesterday morning before the girls came out of the bedroom from their gossip session I knew it was perfect. Josie does well with routine; Ian assured me she would be very appreciative of this being done.
