by Alexa Riley
“I’m just saying, she looks like a freak. This is a professional job and she keeps coming in like it’s a rave,” I hear her sigh, and people giggle. “Seriously, she’s not twelve. Grow up.”
“When I see older women with color like that in their hair I think they’re just trying to hold on to some part of their youth,” someone else says. “Like let it go, you're an adult, not a cartoon character.”
I have to bite down hard on my tongue to keep from going over the divider and giving them a piece of my mind. Grow up? A cartoon character? Are these women serious? Who the fuck cares what color her goddamn hair is? It’s not hurting anyone and it looks beautiful. Do they really have nothing better to do than sit around and put down my girl? No, fuck that.
Just as I open my mouth and take a step forward, Rosabelle comes around the corner and sees me. Her eyes widen with complete and utter joy as she smiles at the flowers.
“Are those for me?”
I tamp down my anger and nod, then watch her melt with delight.
Those catty women are not worth it. Nothing I’m going to say is going to make that hateful part of their souls go away, and giving them more ammo to sling at Rosabelle isn’t what I want either. I won’t forget what I heard, and as I wrap her in my arms I see those women peeking around the wall and I make a point to remember them. They look scared when they realize what I could have just heard, and I’m sure the glare I’m giving them doesn’t help.
“They’re so beautiful,” Rosabelle says, taking the hydrangeas from me and holding them close to her face.
“Not as beautiful as you.” I brush my knuckles against her soft cheek and she closes her eyes. “I know I’m early. Why don’t you show me your desk?”
I take her by the hand and lead her away from the group of hyenas to distract myself from saying something that might put her work reputation in jeopardy. I know she said she’s quitting, but she might need a reference or something. I should ask April if they have any openings in dispatch. I bet Rosabelle would be so good at that. Her voice is always so soft and calm. I’ll have to mention it to her later and see what she thinks. Or maybe she could just take a break from working and stay with me all the time. I don’t have to go in but a couple of days a week, and the rest of the time we could be together.
The thought of spending every morning and every night holding on to her does things to my insides. The types of things that have me planning ten steps ahead and looking to the future. I never had that before and I can’t stop thinking about it now.
“So this is me,” she says as she waves a hand at the blank space.
“Did you already clean it out?” I ask, giving her a side eye.
She laughs and shakes her head. “No, I think it just never felt like home so I didn’t bother trying to make it that way.” She shrugs as she sets the flowers on her desk. “But this is quite an improvement. Maybe they’ll still be pretty after my two weeks are up.”
“I’ll get you more if they start to wilt.” I pull her to me and bury my face in her neck as I just hold her. God, nothing makes me feel better than when she’s in my arms. Why is just a hug from her the best thing in the world? Of course kissing her and putting my hands on her is beyond anything I’ve ever felt, but just hugging her makes everything okay.
“You’re early, but I worked through most of my lunch, so I can probably sneak out if you’re ready?”
“Why’d you work through lunch?” I ask as I let her go and she grabs her bag. She has her back to me when she answers but I can still hear something in her voice. Something I don’t like.
“Just didn’t really feel like eating in the breakroom.”
“Hey,” I say, taking her hand and she turns to look at me. “They giving you a hard time here?”
She shrugs one shoulder like it’s not a big deal and all my anger and frustration from earlier comes back. I can’t make them see how sweet and kind and funny she is. I can’t force them to see her through my eyes and what an amazing person they’re missing out on. But I can make damn sure that Rosabelle knows they’re wrong.
“I’m making you dinner tonight.” I take her bag and pull her against my side as we walk out. “And then you’re staying the night with me.”
“You think so, huh?” She looks up at me as she bites her lip and her confidence falters a little with her nervousness.
“I think I can tempt you into it.” As we exit the building I decide to leave the bullshit right back where I found it. Our world doesn’t include that and I won’t let it interfere with our lives.
“We’ll see,” she says and hums to herself.
“We will.” I lean down and playfully growl against her neck and she squeals in delight as we go to my truck.
“I can’t move,” Rosabelle says as I carry her to my bed and lay her down.
“That’s the idea.” I place her in the middle and then kick off my shoes.
Her hands rub over her belly as she looks up at me. “You fed me too much.”
“How did you think I was planning on getting you to stay the night?”
“You made me so full I can’t run?” she giggles. “I figured you’d just have so much sex with me that I couldn’t walk out of here.” At her admission her eyes widen and then she covers her mouth to stifle the giggle.
“That’s not a bad idea.” My hands go to the hem of my shirt and I pull it up and off of me. I toss it down on the floor and her eyes trail across my chest and down my stomach. “But not tonight.”
“Why?” Her voice is soft as her eyes meet mine, and I can see her begin to put up her guard.
I put one knee on the bed and rub my hands up her legs. “Some things don’t need to be rushed.” I don’t break eye contact as I lean down and kiss just inside her thigh above her knee.
“Maybe I want them to be rushed.” Her breath catches as I push her dress up and then grab the edge of her panties.
“What’s wrong with letting me enjoy my woman?” I play with the lacy trim around the white cotton before I dip my fingers inside to her wet warmth. “What’s so bad about me taking my time?”
“N-nothing,” she stammers. I pull her panties completely off of her, leaving her bare from the waist down.
“There’s so much of you I want to love,” I say right before I place a kiss on her soft mound.
Her legs instinctively spread as I dip two fingers inside of her and trace my tongue between her folds. When I lap over her clit, she arches her back and digs her fingers into the bed.
“Why would I want to hurry through this?” My mouth moves up and down her wet slit as my fingers push deeper into her tight channel. “I can barely get into you.” I rub my aching cock on the bed to try and get some relief, but it’s pounding with the need to replace my fingers. I ignore the pain and bury my face into her soft, warm body.
“I-I’m…” She moans loudly and raises her hips. “I’m a virgin.” Her words are rushed and I growl as I speed my fingers up.
“Ever had your pussy licked?” I say, locking eyes with her and taking one long taste up her pussy.
“No, no, never.” She shakes her head quickly and then bears down on my tongue. “Don’t stop.”
“You think I could stop, even if I wanted to?” I lick her again before I suck on her lips. “Nah, beautiful. I’m not going anywhere.”
Her body wiggles under me as I curl my fingers inside of her and then circle her clit with my tongue. She cries out my name, and God help me, I think I cum on myself when she does it. I don’t stop to think about it as her pussy clenches around my fingers and pulses as she shatters under me. Her climax hits her hard and her voice echoes through the walls of my house. I’ve never loved this place more than right this second when it’s filled with her pleasure.
“More,” I demand and don’t stop rubbing and licking. She moves her hips and kicks her legs, scratching at the sheets. But her body is under my control, and just when she can’t take any more, she climaxes again. “Beautiful,” I say as I
watch her body flush and glisten with the effort.
When she’s lying limp on the bed, I stand up and take my jeans off. I go to the bathroom and grab a change of underwear because I came all over my other ones. My cock is still rock hard and as much as I want to rub it against her soft curves, I made a vow to her and to myself that I’d take my time.
When I go back out in the bedroom her eyes are closed and she hasn’t moved. I smother a laugh as I climb on her and then push her dress the rest of the way off of her, tossing it on the floor with my clothes. Her eyelids are heavy as she smiles up at me, and I reach around behind her to unfasten her bra. Her breasts spill free and I lay my body on top of her, just feeling her under me, naked and warm, is enough. For now.
I kiss her softly before my mouth moves down her neck and between her breasts. Then I suck a nipple in my mouth and flick my tongue across it until the hardened peak is wet and pink. I move to the other and then go back and forth until her body is wiggling under me.
“How can I be so turned on again?” she breathes, rocking her hips against me.
The head of my cock is peeking out from the top of my boxer briefs and rubs against the soft skin of her lower belly.
“I hope it never stops.” I smile against her nipple and she gasps. I graze my teeth across it. “Don’t worry, little unicorn, I’ll take care of you.”
With my mouth on her nipple, I slip my hand between us and grab my cock. I use the tip to rub between her folds and over her clit so that she and I both get just a tease of what we want. It’s painful for me to stop, but as soon as I feel her climax, I shove my cock back in my underwear and force myself to move off of her and spoon her from behind.
“That feels like it needs attention.” She wiggles her ass against me and I grab her hips.
“He’ll get his soon enough,” I whisper against her skin as I trail a line of kisses along her shoulder. “Tonight is about you.” About you falling in love with me, I think to myself.
Ever since she leapt into my arms last night I can’t stop thinking about how I don’t ever want them empty again. I’ve spent my whole life trying to do the right thing and follow my heart and it’s led me to where I want to be. Why shouldn’t I listen to it now? It’s telling me that Rosabelle is the one, and that this is it, so I plan on following my instincts and keeping her. Now, I just need to convince her that she should stay.
Forever.
Chapter Thirteen
Rosabelle
The scent of bacon has my eyes opening as I roll to my side, and I smile when I see where I am. It’s still hard to believe Blaze and everything about him is real. He’s cooking again, and if his plan was trying to make me fall in love with him, I’m pretty sure I’m there already. I sit up, needing to go and find him, and as I do the blanket falls and reminds me that I’m naked. My nipples tighten as my mind replays the things Blaze did to me last night and I know that’s only a sample of what’s to come. As much as I hate the girls at work, they brought this man into my life and I’ve never been happier.
My feet touch the carpet and I snag Blaze’s shirt off the floor before heading to the bathroom to make sure I’m not a wild mess before I go in search of him. When I look into the mirror I smile because though I do look like a mess, I feel sexy. My mouth is still swollen and puffy and I love how it feels. I flip off the bathroom light and follow the aroma of breakfast.
Blaze’s place is really nice. He mentioned after his parents died they left him some money after I was about to cry thinking about him being alone and on the streets. He said he was lucky he didn’t have to struggle and was really humble about it. This is more than I thought he meant, but it just goes to show that he’s still down to earth and an outsider would never know he’s wealthy. He’s not living in an empty bachelor pad like I thought he might be. This place feels like his home and that things here hold sentimental value. It’s another reminder of how sweet he is.
I stop when I enter the kitchen and watch as he flips a piece of French toast.
“You know you’re making my favorite breakfast, right?” I ask as I lean my shoulder into the doorway. He glances over his shoulder at me, and holy hell, he’s so damn hot. Seeing him standing in front of a stove making me breakfast in nothing but a pair of boxer briefs is almost too damn hot. I can’t help myself as my eyes drift down to take in his thick thighs and every inch of his muscled body. Everything about him is big, and feeling his weight on me last night was heaven.
“Got your favorite coffee too.” He smiles at me, flashing those dimples, and he knows I was checking him out.
I should probably blush, but something has shifted and I think I have the right to openly check him out if I want. I also know he doesn't care because he keeps on smiling. He somehow always puts me at ease with his steamy looks and the way he touches me. He raises his chin over toward the counter and I see a cup of coffee sitting there. Next to it is my favorite creamer.
“You been stalking me?” I tease. I know we’ve talked a lot through text and during our dates, but I don’t remember telling him how I like my coffee or my favorite breakfast. Yet somehow he knows these things.
“I had a little help from Rie.” My coffee pauses halfway to my mouth. Crap, I forgot to tell her I wasn't coming home. “Your phone was blowing up so I answered,” he says with a shrug as he pulls the French toast off the stove. “She gave me a short rundown of things.” Oh God. I’m not sure how that might have gone.
“I’m guessing you didn't have this creamer lying around?” That means he must have gone to the store after she told him what to get.
“I went and grabbed some stuff. Rie helped me with that too.” He points toward the table and I see my small overnight bag. “We won’t have to swing by your place before work, so I can enjoy my breakfast with you and not rush.” He walks over and gives me a good morning kiss.
“Sit.” He squeezes my ass then pushes me over toward the table.
I do as I’m told and enjoy every second of my breakfast with him. In fact, I enjoy every second of getting ready for my day with him. Everything done with Blaze is sweeter and happier than I could have dreamed. The day feels brighter already, and again that feeling of being adrift in life falls away. Every second I spend with him I feel more grounded and confident.
The only crap part of my morning is when we pull up to my office building. “I hate that look on your face, beautiful,” Blaze says when he helps me down from his truck.
“I gave my notice. I probably shouldn't have done it without getting another job lined up but…” I shrug. “I can't be in that office anymore. Two weeks is going to be hard enough.”
Yesterday I heard the girls make comments about Blaze and me making out in his truck. I’ll never understand them. They talk about a different man every week but I make out with one and I get called all kinds of crappy names. Pretty sure they did it loud enough to make sure I heard them. But none of what they said makes me wish I hadn’t done it. Blaze’s kisses are worth every nasty thing they have to say. I know they’re only doing this to try and get a reaction from me. It bothers them more now that I’m not responding to them, and it’s crazy to watch them get so worked up about something that has nothing to do with them.
“When I pick you up I want you to come to the station with me.” I look up at him. “I want you to talk to April about a job in dispatch.”
“That’s really sweet but—”
“Just come with me.” He squeezes my hand. “I won’t pull any strings. If you want the job I’m confident you’ll get it on your own with no help from me.”
He’s talked to me about that job before and what they do. I kept asking him questions and it sounded so appealing but I didn’t ever think about doing it myself.
“I bet you never even thought about this kind of job before, but I wanted to show you other options are out there. I’m not handing you the job, you’ll get it on your own.” He sounds so confident.
“Okay,” I give in. I’m not sure if ther
e’s anything I’d deny him, and as he gives me one last kiss I know that’s true.
When he finally releases me I walk inside the building and go to my desk. As soon as I get to my cubicle my stomach falls. The flowers Blaze gave me are knocked off my desk and the vase is broken. My eyes start to sting but I fight back the tears. What the hell? I lean down and pick up the flowers then go into the break room to try and save them.
The whole room grows quiet when I walk in and I can feel everyone's eyes on me as I find a cup and give my flowers fresh water. When I get back to my desk I set them down and clean up the broken vase. I try and tell myself they’re just flowers, but for some reason this hurts the most out of everything they’ve done.
Just as more tears threaten my phone vibrates. I reach in my back pocket and when I turn it over, my heart swells.
Blaze: Miss you.
He really has no idea what those simple words do to calm me down.
Me: Miss you more.
I feel better. I just need to get through today and then I’ll be back with my man. My man. Now that really does make me smile. That is until Mike passes my desk and winks at me. Why is he such a creep? If only he could get the message that I’m taken it might make these last two weeks more bearable.
Chapter Fourteen
Blaze
“I told you so,” I say as I pull her against me.
She rolls her eyes and I lean down to kiss her. Her soft body curves against mine and I wrap my arms around her possessively.
“Just say I was right and we can go home.”
Her eyes light up and her hands tighten in my shirt. “You were right.”
I throw my arm over her shoulder and tuck her in at my side as we walk to my truck. “Hey, you know I’m just teasing you, right?” I open the door for her and lift her up.
“Yes, but you were right. April was really great and it sounds like an awesome opportunity. I never thought about myself in that kind of job before, but after talking to her I’m excited at the possibility.”
