Hell in a Handbasket

by Mila Young

  I’ve lost the ability to talk. The cocktail of arousal from the hardness in his pants rubbing over my heat and the fire in his words short-circuit my brain. He has this way of turning me on while sharing heartfelt words that leave me dumbfounded.

  His hands are on my thighs, sliding upward. “When I look at you, I see everything I am not, everything I long to claim and connect with.”

  I gasp as his fingers inch under the material of my dress.

  “Do you see now why you mean so much?”

  The pad of his finger strokes the edge of my underwear.

  “Yes,” I breathe heavily, shaking against him.

  “You are stunning when you’re turned on.”

  I can’t stop myself, not when I’m shivering with building need. I press my mouth to his, and he kisses me instantly, savagely, his tongue sweeping into my mouth. He licks my lips as he pulls aside my underwear, teasing me with touch, his fingers roaming over my drenched offering.

  He pauses and pulls back from our kiss. “Just triple checking—you are okay with this after yesterday? I don’t want to make it worse for you.”

  “Just shut up and kiss me.” Arousal soars within me as he fiddles with his pants, unzipping himself. Seconds later, the tip of his searing hot erection glides over my entrance.

  “Is this what you want?”

  “Please don’t stop,” I whisper against his mouth. Without ceremony, he thrusts into me, his hips jutting upward, filling me completely.

  I moan, throwing my head back as my hips rock up and down to match each of his movements. He plunges in and out of me, the intensity heightening.

  Shudders of pleasure flare over me, and I’m groaning louder now, the beautiful ache he brings driving me insane. Pleasure and pain tangle into a beautiful dance of him kissing me passionately as he fucks me like a demon.

  His growls rise to meet my own. He grips my hips and moves me to a faster tempo as he surges closer. He fills me, stroking my insides, igniting an inferno between us. In moments, my orgasm breaks free, tearing through me like powerful waves, crashing into me over and over.

  “Oh, Elias,” I cry out as he pumps into me, his body convulsing along with mine as we both explode with climaxes, almost in unison.

  My breaths rush in and out of my lungs as I cling to him, both of us wrapped up in each other, pulsing and moaning. Finally I collapse against his chest, drawing in ragged breaths.

  “That was everything,” he whispers in my ear, breathing heavily as well.

  “It was pretty amazing.”

  When I pull back, he’s smiling wildly. “I have no control around you,” he admits as he leans over and pulls out a packet of tissues from the side of the door.

  “That’s two of us.” I laugh at how similar we both are.

  He makes short work of pulling out of me and wiping me clean, lifting me to sit across from him. His strength is extraordinary.

  I adjust my underwear and glance outside as I lower my dress over my legs, noticing we’re already in town and parked on the curb.

  I jolt forward and stare outside at the sidewalk, where people are wandering in and out of stores.

  “Oh shit! We just had sex on the side of a busy road!” My heartbeat escalates, and it has zero to do with arousal. “Can people see through the windows?”

  Elias chuckles. “I thought you were into being an exhibitionist?”

  My mouth drops open. “You knew and didn’t tell me?”

  Still laughing, Elias pushes open the door, and a flurry of air rushes in, cooling my burning cheeks. He heads over to a trash can to throw away the ball of tissues.

  I hurry to climb out, suddenly feeling like everyone is looking my way, judging me. My head spins, and I steady myself until it stops. Being out of the car and off Elias’s lap, that earlier unease creeps forward. I lick my lips and tense up, hating the foggy sensation.

  I can’t help but feel eyes on me from people on the sidewalk. I pat down my skirt frantically. God, was the car rocking with us humping? I look over to see our driver is sitting with his window open, blowing out smoke from a cigarette like he’s the one who’s just had the most incredible sex.

  Embarrassment strikes me like hot pokers. He had to know what we were doing.

  Elias shuts the door. “Are you ready?”

  Shaking off the nerves, I glance around to the road packed with cars and people everywhere. Storefronts in every direction. “Where are we? Joseline doesn’t live here.”

  Elias offers me that brilliant smile that weakens my knees. “We’re making a pit stop for supplies for your cat.” When I follow his gaze, I find a small grocery store right in front of us.

  Right!

  He leans in quickly and kisses me. “You are unusual.”

  I narrow my eyes at him. “How so?”

  “You didn’t bat an eye to having sex with me openly in the woods, but here you are blushing over maybe being seen? You should be proud of enjoying sex.”

  “Are you even listening to yourself?” I say, unable to even fathom his reasoning. “Let’s just do this. It feels like everyone is staring at me.”

  He laughs again, louder, drawing more attention our way.

  Head low, I hurry alongside him and into the store. We’re barely a step inside when a staff member, a blonde with long legs and the reddest lipstick, pins her attention on Elias.

  She’s strolling toward us with an extra swing in her hips, her gaze taking all of him in, pretending I’m not standing right there next to him. Next thing I know, my earlier embarrassment has dissolved into a surge of jealousy, rising through me like a beast.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Aria

  “Welcome to Gracy’s Groceries, GGs as we like to call it.” The staff member smiles like a mad person toward Elias, batting her eyes. “Is there something I can assist you with, sir?”

  I don’t even hear his response. I’m not sure what’s suddenly come over me. Fire burns across my chest at the way she laughs and reaches over to place her hand on his forearm. It mingles with the confusion knotting in my body and makes me feel unfocused. It’s the only way to describe it.

  “Flea tablets for a cat,” Elias responds, completely and utterly oblivious to the flirtatious woman. She must be in her mid-twenties, her red knee-length skirt super tight, the white button-up shirt following every curve—and she is definitely sticking her chest out at Elias.

  “I will personally show you,” she insists, pouting her lips. “I am a huge fan of cats.”

  Gag.

  “No, we’re fine, thank you. And he hates cats,” I interject curtly. I loop my arm around his and nudge him to move away from the praying mantis and into the first aisle, which is filled with canned soups and beans.

  “I don’t hate cats,” he says. “Are you sure we don’t need the lady’s help?”

  “How hard can it be to find cat tablets? We don’t need anyone’s assistance.” I release Elias and march down the aisle.

  I feel creepy inside by acting so stupid. What is wrong with me? Still, the inferno in my chest rages each time I think of the way she practically threw herself on him, while a blanket of darkness coats my mind. I’m a walking mess.

  “Are you jealous?” he asks as he catches up to me near a display of chocolates.

  I turn toward him, then scan to see if there is anyone around. “Do you want me to get you the microphone? Pretty sure the people out on the sidewalk didn’t hear you.”

  The corners of his mouth curl upward while I toss daggers at him from my glare. “Oh, rabbit, she does not interest me. There is nothing she can offer that you don’t have. Just looking at you, I get a hard-on.” He reaches down and gropes himself to prove his point just as an old couple pushes their cart past us, the woman gasping at the sight. “But I will be honest, I love seeing you all fired up over me. It’s hot.”

  He’s smiling wickedly and gloating.

  “Don’t kid yourself. I am not jealous of that stick. I-I j-just didn’t want her
to trick you into buying the most expensive tablets for Cassiel. He is no ordinary feline.” Why do I suddenly feel like I’m burning up? “I don’t need to explain myself to you.”

  I whip around and march from aisle to aisle, doing my best to look as normal as possible— even if I seem to be walking at an angle—until I find the one for pet supplies. Perfect. Now I can get this and we can leave. I feel stupid for my earlier reaction, and worst yet, I don’t want Elias to rub this in my face. He seems the kind to remind me of it every second he can.

  Halfway down the empty aisle, strong fingers curl around my wrist and haul me backward so abruptly, I stumble on my feet and crash right into Elias’s chest.

  His hands clasp my waist, and before I can protest, his lips are on mine. He drives me back, still attached to me, until my back hits the shelves. Small boxes of things fall to the floor, but neither of us stops.

  A delicious shiver races down my spine. A moan escapes my lips as my nipples tighten at the way he kisses me. It’s rough, like he’s trying to prove I am the only one for him, his tongue surging into my mouth. I’m panting. It seems I have no control, and the moment he kisses me, I’m instantly addicted. I feel like a soft porn star, ready to go at the drop of a hat.

  His mouth leaves a trail of kisses over my cheek and licks the tender spot under my earlobe. “Seeing you jealous makes me so fucking horny, I want to strip you here and now and eat your pussy.”

  I might have just had a tiny orgasm just hearing him whisper those words. When he kisses down my neck, a wave of desire pulses through me.

  But a sudden clearing of a throat has me pushing Elias aside.

  I stand rooted to the floor, iced over as I stare at the woman who was preying on Elias earlier. She’s at the end of the aisle, eyeing us like she might erupt into a volcano of rage. I elbow Elias, who’s gone back to nibbling on my neck, and shove him off me. My cheeks turn scarlet.

  I want to die.

  Quickly, I reach over to the shelf and pick up the first cat flea box within reach.

  “Ah, found it. Okay, let’s go,” I say, loud enough for her to hear.

  As we pass the woman, Elias gives his farewell, which seems to sate her fury and turn it into another obsessive staring event.

  Using the self-serve machines, I scan the box and Elias pays, then we’re out of there so fast, I’m practically running to the limousine. I want to be away from so many people.

  “I swear, that woman was going to either kill me or hump you right in the aisle,” I say as I climb into the back seat.

  “I would have preferred she watched me hump you.” He shuts the door before I can respond, but I have no doubt he meant every word. Along with realizing Elias is into voyeurism, it makes me wonder—what else turns him on?

  In no time, we’re are driving through the city, and Elias is grinning, well aware of the influence he has over me and that I’d just morphed into a green-eyed monster back in the store. But what sits on my mind is that I might not be doing as well as I first thought.

  To distract myself, I glance down and read the packet in my hands. “Says here we just have to give the cat one tablet every month to keep him clear of fleas and worms.”

  His jaw tightens. “Great.”

  I look out and see we’re right outside my friend’s apartment. A sudden explosion of excitement floods me.

  I shove open the door of the limousine and rush outside, an overwhelming sensation billowing inside me. Excitement. Nerves. Anticipation.

  By the time I reach the front steps of the lofty apartment complex, a shadow falls over me.

  "I will accompany you to your friend's front door and wait outside," Elias says behind me, and I twist my head to look at him.

  "Thank you." Does he understand how much such a gesture means to me? That he offers me trust and alone time with Joseline means a heck of a lot.

  He tilts his head to the side, eyeing me. "You're looking at me like you want me to carry you back into the car for another round of fun."

  "Actually, this is a look of admiration for your gesture, but you’ve just lost that brownie point." I turn, smiling at his fallen face, and hit the button next to Joseline’s name on the panel near the door. Only then do I realize I hadn’t called Joseline to let her know I’m coming over. Not that I have a phone to do so. Well, too late for that now.

  “Hello,” her crackly voice responds over the small intercom.

  “Hey babe, it’s me.”

  “Aria!” she squeals over the speaker, and seconds later, a beep sounds at the door. “Come up, girl.”

  I shove the door open and rush toward a closing elevator. Elias is on my heels, and we’re lunging through the metal doors where an elderly couple stands inside. A quick smile to them, and I jam my finger into the fifth floor button.

  Elias stands behind me, his hands on my waist, drawing me closer to him as the doors shut. Then we lurch upward.

  The older woman makes no effort to hide her gaze. She is studying us, when her husband clears his throat. He leans closer to his wife and says, “Remember when I was as big as him?”

  My heart melts at the way she smiles at him as if she is falling for him all over again. That’s how I want to be when I get old... then I think of the demons in my life and don’t even know if they do get old. With it comes a myriad of questions about me getting old and dying before them, and why the heck I am even having such thoughts? As if the demons were long-term anything with me.

  The elevator shudders as it stops, and the doors open. The old couple head out just as the woman glances over her shoulder at me. “Climb that tree every day.” She smirks, eyes Elias, then heads out with her husband.

  My mouth drops open that she just said what I think she said.

  “What an odd couple,” Elias murmurs as the doors shut. “And that is one crude old gal.”

  I burst out laughing that time. Once we head out and walk down the dimly lit corridor that smells like a new car, I pause in front of number 502. Before I can even turn to Elias, the door swings open.

  “Oh. My. God. I can’t believe it. I miss you!” Joseline throws herself at me, speaking in her usual Joseline way—so fast I can barely understand her.

  She’s hugging me so hard, I can’t breathe.

  “This is the best surprise ever!” She jumps and squeals some more before she pulls back, holding my hands, studying me. And only then does she realize we aren’t alone in the corridor.

  The moment she turns her head to look over at Elias, her demeanor stiffens. “You brought him? The demon eye candy?”

  Last time I saw Joseline was out on the sidewalk near Murray’s, and well, even then, Elias didn’t make a good impression.

  Elias’s eyebrow raises, but he manages to hold a stoic expression regardless. “I’m going to be out here waiting,” he reminds me.

  Joseline doesn’t need to be told twice. She loops her arm around mine and hauls me into her apartment, whispering, “He's not a people person, is he?”

  “You have no idea.”

  I glance back just as she shuts the door behind us and catch Elias looking at me with a deadpan expression. Like nothing in the world could be more boring. Joseline takes my hand and drags me inside.

  Her place is vastly different from what I expected. It’s filled with brand new furniture, paintings on the walls, new light fixtures, and shiny floorboards. There’s a curved leather sofa in front of a large TV mounted on the wall, a cabinet with glass doors displaying crystal animal figurines, and the sliding door that leads to the balcony shows a small barbecue outside. The kitchen sits to the right, and the hallway leading to the bedrooms—which I somehow suspect are decked out as well—is on the left. I had plans to get an apartment with Joseline before the whole ‘Murray selling me to demons’ debacle, but those plans obviously got thrown out the window.

  It seems like she’s doing well for herself. Without me.

  “You like it?” She beams with pride and hurries onto the plush white rug in
the middle of the room. “You need to feel how soft this is under your feet.”

  “Did you get a promotion at work?” Don’t get me wrong, I am ecstatic for her, but she didn’t have much money.

  “Got something better.” She flicks her mousey blonde hair over her shoulder. “A rich roommate, but she's out with her boyfriend right now. It's nice to have the place to myself today.”

  “Damn, she must be loaded. This is amazing for you.” I kick off my shoes and rush over to sink into the rug. “Oh, this is heaven.”

  “Right? So, tell me everything. How did you get the demons to allow you out? You’re not their prisoner? It sure seemed like they were holding you captive last time I saw you. What’s it like living with them? Are they all hot like that one outside?”

  She talks so fast, it’s hard to keep up with all her rapid-fire questions. I try to sort through them to answer each.

  “Hmm, let me see. I asked them to bring me here. Living with them is the most surreal thing ever. They have major issues and don’t fully understand humans, so it’s like I’m in the twilight zone most of the time. They’re actually surprisingly nice to me… sometimes. Other days, they have their devil horns out."

  I head over and flop down on the couch. Joseline does the same, then turns to eye me. “You totally slept with them, didn’t you?”

  Heat crawls over my cheeks. “He can probably hear us, you know.”

  Her eyes widen, and she glances toward the door. I have no clue if I’m right, but I prefer not talking about my crazy sex life with my best friend when I still don’t get how I can be so madly attracted to three demons. Or do the things we’ve done together.

  “Anyway, what have you been up to?” I reach over and take her hand. “I’ve missed you so much.”

  “Me too, babe. Mostly just working.” She keeps telling me about her work as a sales clerk, how the girl she lives with might be secretly running a video porno program from her bedroom based on the sounds she hears at night, and general, normal things like clothes shopping and sales.