by C. M. Steele
“Ah, Blade. I’m so glad you could come. I’ve been interested in acquiring some new instruments,” Denver Banks says.
“Anything in particular?”
“I liked that piece you had on you the last time we met. It looks like a great tool to use.” In his suit, you’d never guess that this man’s a killer, but I know him well and he’s extremely efficient and quick.
“Thanks. It really is. Visit my shop and I can get you a piece. I have several in different grip widths. Seeing as your hands are similar to mine, I believe I have one right up your alley.” It’s a sweet piece that will do maximum damage with minimal effort and a great grip so there’s no sliding.
“Perfect. How’s Monday night?”
“That works for me.” It’s only two days from now.
“What’s that little shit doing here?” I follow his gaze straight to my woman and Brandon. I let out a slight snarl.
“You know him?” I ask, wanting the details.
“Yes. He’s Jules’s ex-boyfriend. I was glad when she told me that she dumped him. I’d love to get rid of him, but he’s the son of State Representative Elton Morrison.” The feeling’s mutual.
“When did she dump him?” I can’t hide the jealousy tearing at my heart when I’m the one who didn’t chase after her.
“I don’t remember exactly when they broke up, but she told me the night of the incident at the bakery. He’s a weak frat boy that needs his head bashed in.” We both keep our eyes away from them as we let out our vehement mutual hatred for him. To anyone, it would look like we were having a normal discussion about the weather. I like Mr. Banks. You’d never know that he’d been a killer for the government unless you were under his knife, and then you couldn’t say a word.
“Ah, there you two are,” Mrs. Banks says. He pulls her to his side and kisses her softly. “Oh, no. Whose head are you ready to rip off?”
“Morrison.”
“Oh, yes. Rose told me that she invited Brandon,” she explains, pointing to a woman who’s about Jules age. I guess that’s Jules’s sister, who I’ve heard little to nothing about and already don’t like.
“Why?” Denver growls out.
“Because she’s a bitch?”
I chuckle at that one. “Well, if you two will excuse me, I need to say hello to the birthday girl.” I take a detour because I want to come up behind her and catch her off guard. I have to know what this is between us. I can’t shake my feelings for her, so letting her go is out. What other options do I have?
One thing’s for sure: I can’t keep letting little boys creep on her.
Chapter Four
Jules
I can’t believe he’s here. I haven’t seen him in six and a half months. Anthony’s here, I chant internally while doing my best to control my breathing. Why is he here? I thought I could shake my feelings for him, but now he’s back, and on my birthday of all days.
What’s worse is that Brandon just happens to show up as well. Brandon’s been talking to my stepsister, and now I know that she can’t be trusted. I’m glad I never mentioned Anthony to her because she’d purposely embarrass me today or try to hit on him herself. She moves toward Anthony and my uncle and I want to scream, but Penny intercepts her. I mouth a silent thank you and make my way over to Anthony, but I’m stopped by Brandon.
“You and I need to talk,” he bites out, gripping my elbow a little harder than necessary.
I gently push his hand away to avoid making a scene and whisper, “I’m sorry, Brandon, but I have guests.”
“And a new boyfriend, it seems.” He tilts his head toward Anthony with a scowl. Luckily, Anthony’s talking to Penny’s dad or I’d have a fight on my hands. Anthony’s not a guy to tolerate disrespect.
“What’s it to you if I do or don’t?” I huff, keeping my voice down but my tone strong.
Brandon scoffs and grabs my wrist. “He’s not good enough for you. He’s clearly the trash that your cousin landed in when she got with a biker.” There’s a violent disgust, but he has no room to talk.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about. Remember—you’re the one who was arrested with a prostitute.” How could he forget that he’s no better than anyone else? Of course—because his father’s a politician and they know there’s always someone to clean up their messes.
“That’s because you’re a fucking prude,” he hisses.
“Don’t blame me for your lack of self-control. We dated for a whole two months and saw each other a handful of times. The fact that you needed to pay for sex makes me glad that I didn’t give it up to you. Now leave. Take your gift and go—I sure as hell don’t want it.”
“At least your sister’s easy,” he retorts, taking the bag back and storming out the front door. Wow. I didn’t expect that, but seeing how they were talking, anything is possible.
I go the opposite direction and avoid everyone, and then that’s when I run into a wall—a warm, sexy wall that catches me. “Did you have a fight with your boyfriend?” he growls, pressing my lower half firmly to him while I tilt my head all the way back to look at him.
“Ugh. What’s with you men? It’s not your business who I date.”
He releases me with a grunt. “Never fucking mind. You’re right. You’re just a kid…too fucking young.”
“Are you serious? You come into my house on my birthday just to insult me?”
“I didn’t mean to insult you, beautiful.” He stares at me from head to toe, growling as he lingers on my bare legs. I’m pretty sure my panties are now ruined. “Let’s go talk.” He leads me upstairs and straight into my bedroom. He closes the door behind us and turns the lock.
“How did you know which room was…”
“Lucky guess,” Anthony cuts me off. He growls, cupping my face. The look of hunger reminds me of the time in the bakery kitchen. His mouth lands on mine, and the world explodes all around me. My heart’s dancing in my chest as he kisses me gently, and I let a moan escape my lips. Then he has me pinned to my bed, one leg wrapped around his waist and one hand in my hair while the other slides up my blouse, cupping my soft breast as his tongue spears past my lips.
Every inch of me feels alive. Nerve endings are firing out of control, but then it’s over.
He pulls his mouth back from mine quickly. “Fuck, I can’t be doing this,” Anthony growls as he lowers his mouth and continues to attack my throat. I’m back under his spell, moaning and grinding against his thick shaft as if he didn’t just say what he did. I want him inside of me, giving me the family I crave.
“We have to stop. We can’t be together—
“You’re right. Get off me,” I snap, shoving him until he stumbles backward. “Please leave.” It hits me right there that he’s only acting on jealousy over a guy I never even kissed on the lips.
“Jules,” he pleads, sitting on the bed next to me.
I shake my head and scoot away from him, hating how easily I fell into his arms only to be hurt again. “Don’t. I don’t know what game you’re playing, but I understand one thing. You just mauled me because you thought I had a boyfriend and you got possessive. I get it—we both find each other hot, but that’s it, and don’t try to say otherwise because I haven’t seen you for over half a year.”
He stands up and paces around my room, going back and forth, running his hands through his hair. He stops to open his mouth and no words come out, and then he starts pacing again. He does this three times and by the last time, I’ve had enough.
I stand and walk straight to the door. With my hand on the handle, I say, “If you can’t figure out the words to explain yourself, stop trying. I’m going back to my party, and I hope you see yourself out.” He reaches for me, but I pull myself away and walk out of the room.
I’m not a fool. He doesn’t really want me. My mother and stepfather don’t have a loving relationship; it’s almost a parasitic one, whereas Penny’s parents have a love to last a lifetime, so I’ve seen what the two worlds look like. I wo
n’t settle for anything less than the kind of love they truly share.
I take the stairs in a rush and nearly run into my uncle Denver who’s waiting for me. “Everything okay?” He looks me up and down. I must look completely disheveled, and my eyes are glossy with unshed tears.
“Yes. I’m going to schmooze with my guests. Excuse me.”
“Okay.” He lets me pass, and I walk to the downstairs bathroom off the kitchen. I need a moment to breathe and get away from everyone. Once I’m locked in the bathroom, I press my hands on the edge of the sink and take a deep breath. Rolling my head around to loosen up the tension, I finally look at my reflection in the mirror. My lips are ruddy and puffy from Anthony’s kiss. My entire body feels his touch as if he’d just let go. My breasts are tender, my pussy throbbing and needing relief, but most of all, my heart is cracking. How can so many warring emotions flood through me?
“It’s my party, and I can cry if I want to,” I sing in a hushed voice. Quickly, I let the pain turn to anger. I hope that he’s left because I can’t take looking at him.
A knock at the door catches me by surprise. “One minute,” I call out, turning on the water to pretend I’m actually using the bathroom for more than my pity party.
“Open up. I know you’re not peeing. I’ve got to go,” Penny pleads. I unlock the door and my cousin comes in, throwing her arms around me as best as she can. “I’m only half serious. Technically I always have to pee, but seeing as Blade just left and informed me that he’ll be waiting in the car until we’re done and you’re hiding in here, I’m guessing things didn’t go well.”
“They went well for all of a second.”
“What do you mean?”
“He finally kissed me, and then regretted it. He then fought to tell me why he’s been avoiding me for months. I can’t handle this. I thought maybe now that I’m nineteen, he wouldn’t be so upset about my age, but he can’t get past that. I’m finishing my freshman year of college in two freaking days, and he thinks I’m too young.”
“It’s more than that, but I’m not sure that it’s my place to say anything. I will say this. He’s been avoiding the bakery as much as humanly possible since you quit, and he’s worked so much on his blades that no one sees him for days on end.”
“I haven’t seen him for months. Maybe it’s time I finally move on,” I mutter, patting my face dry with a hand towel.
“Do what you have to, as long as it’s not with Brandon. I’ll remind Blade that he blew his shot,” she offers, rubbing my arm.
I press my hand to hers, stopping her motions. “No, don’t. I don’t want him to come running because he’s jealous. He pulled that today, and he only regretted it.”
“You two hardly know each other, so maybe it’s best to take it slow.”
“I know this isn’t coming from Miss virgin to married and pregnant within a month.”
“Well, it’s different. We hashed out our disagreements quickly and thoroughly.” Yes, I don’t need to be reminded how unloved I truly am.
That doesn’t help my mood, because I’m going from horny to sad, and then angry and back to horny again. I want to be thoroughly taken by Anthony. Fuck it—I’m calling him Blade. I don’t need that type of intimacy with him.
“Well, we’ll never deal with it because he keeps his distance.” I can’t get rid of one guy, and the one I want doesn’t want me.
“I’m sorry. I won’t bring him up or around again.”
“Good. Do I look okay?” I ask, giving a quick twirl.
“Yep. You can’t even tell you were crying.”
“Great. I have a party to enjoy.”
Stepping out of the bathroom with my head held high, I see Jackson waiting. “Sorry, girl talk. She’ll be out in a minute.”
“I know. Are you okay?” The sincerity in his voice almost causes me to break, but I stay strong and remember that I’m not to be trifled with.
“Yes. Thank you. I have a birthday to celebrate.” I pat his chest as I walk off to join the party. There’s a crowd of my girls who meet me with a chocolate-covered strawberry. “Your cousin is so gifted and lucky. Her husband is hot as hell.”
“Did you see the guy they brought with him?” The strawberry in my mouth turns to ash as they talk about my Anthony... I mean “Blade.”
“Oh my goodness. He’s super sexy. I wanted to talk to him, but he left in a huff. I’d climb him like a tree.”
“You can’t climb a step, girl. Save that brute for me.”
“He’s got a girlfriend,” I lie after finally forcing the strawberry down my throat, feeling jealous as fuck.
“Too bad, but he’s not married,” Gretchen says. Fucking shit, I’m about to bite her. She’s my least favorite friend, and about a second more and she’s going to be my enemy.
“Excuse me, girls. I need to talk to my uncle.”
“Goodness. Your uncle is a god. Seriously, talk about suddenly having daddy issues.”
“Enough, Gretchen. My uncle is a loving husband and not interested.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to be such a slutty cunt. I know he’s a good man, but what would it be like to have someone so loyal and loving to you?”
“Tell me about it.” I sigh and walk over to my uncle, who I hug.
“Thank you for this party, Uncle.”
“I didn’t.”
“Please. I know you did this. My parents don’t have time for me. You and Aunt have made this a wonderful party.”
“Dance with me,” he offers.
“Sure.” We take to the dance floor to get the party going. He can really move and I’m sure all the tongues are wagging, but I pull my aunt in to replace me while I go stand next to my cousin.
“Your parents are amazing,” I say. I haven’t even seen my parents for hours. They stayed for the first hour to mingle with the guests, and then they had to leave.
“They really are.” She sighs wistfully.
“Can I say I’m super jealous of you, Penny?” I confess.
She shoots one brow up and opens her mouth. “I never thought I’d hear the day that someone said that.”
“Please. Those bitches in school were mean because they were jealous. You’re an amazing woman with a heart of gold, a talent to make mouthwatering treats, and a handsome, loving husband that reminds me of your father.”
“I suppose I have it great. Don’t give up hope that happiness will find you.”
I wrap my arm around her shoulder and press my head on her arm. “Thanks.”
Every once in a while, I turn to the front door, wondering if Blade is going to walk in or not. He didn’t, just like I asked him. I tell myself it’s for the best and just relax as I say goodbye to my guests.
My aunt and uncle hired a clean-up crew to do all the work, so I go to bed and let the exhaustion of the day carry me off to sleep.
Chapter Five
Blade
I should have told her the truth. “Jules, I’m madly in love with you, but you don’t want to be with a guy like me for the rest of your life, and that’s all I want.” Would that have made a difference? Confessing my obsession, love, and devotion to her would mean nothing, if not scare her away even more. There’s something about her touch that gave me the slightest hope, but as I tried to find the words without coming off crazy, she made her point. She wanted me gone. Can I stay away now that I’ve had a taste of those sweet lips? That answer is a fucking, “Hell, no,” but what can I do?
I stew in the SUV for another hour until Penny is ready to call it a night. I stare at the house, thinking of going back in there and claiming my woman and forgetting all of the reasons I shouldn’t. A part of me wants to tell Jules that once I have her, I’m never letting her go, but I know that’s unfair. I can’t force her into a life she doesn’t want. Right now, she wants me physically, but Steeleville isn’t like Dallas; it’s quiet, calm, and not full of rich, snooty people who only care about looking great and impressing others with what they have. It’s not to
say I’m not wealthy—I’ve built a name for myself and my custom pieces are expensive—but I don’t flash it around like her parents and her friends. I hadn’t missed those girls as I left the house. They were staring at me while I spoke to Jackson. He laughingly joked, “Hey, it looks like you have other prospects.”
“Never,” I snarled and went to the SUV.
Jules looked so perfect today that I let down my guard, and almost gave in and took her on that bed with a party all around us. I let her anger divide us because it was the only thing stopping me from burying my cock deep inside her, and she deserves more than a quick fuck that anyone can hear or attempt to interrupt.
We drive back to Steeleville in utter silence. Penny keeps sighing because she wants to say something, but she holds back. I’m sure she wants to rip my head off.
As I drop them off at their house, she says, “She deserves love more than anything. So, whatever’s holding you back, if you really love her, let it go. If not, stay away from her. Goodnight, Blade.”
I nod, and Jackson shakes my hand. “Goodnight, bro.” He scoops up Penny in his arms and carries her up their front steps.
“Night.” I wave at them before they retreat into their home.
I don’t pull away instantly. Instead, I think about Penny’s words. She does deserve love. I love her so damn much it’s almost unbearable, but what if someone tries to harm her because of me or the Riders? Another major reason—what if she regrets living with me here? She wants me physically, but that’s not enough. She has no idea that I’d never let her leave.
I watch people around me fall in love, and now it’s my turn and things aren’t working out like they should. I drive home and decide that I need to give her a choice. Maybe take her on a date or two and see if she could ever want all of me—the real me.
