by Harms, C. A.
Oh Lord, does he ever.
His next message is an address, but I am interrupted by two new customers being seated in my area.
Quickly I tuck my phone in my pocket and hurry off. Just as I reach the table, I feel my phone vibrate once more, and I am sure the smile that spreads over my face looks a bit creepy to the couple sitting before me. Only I don’t care; for once in a very long time I feel happy.
Chapter Twenty
Knoxville
“So you lied and told her you’d cook for her?”
I ignore my brother’s arrogant laugh and instead focus solely on his assistant who is smiling back at me. Lexington had mixed in a few pink tips among his normal silver ones and exchanged out the diamond studs in his ear for some type of pink gems to match his hair.
“Are you asking me a favor, Knox?” Lex leans toward his desk, places his elbows on top, and peers at me expectantly. This is going to haunt me, but desperate times calls for desperate measures.
“I am asking you to help me prepare, not to cook the meal.” Ashton chuckles from behind me and again I ignore him. I don’t have to look at him to know he is enjoying this. “But before you tell me what you want in return, you should know that I will not be dancing, taking off my shirt, or shirts, and I will not be getting my brothers to do any type of show either. You should also know that I am fully prepared to go to my mother if I have to. That would trigger her to hound me for information and show up at my place randomly in hopes of meeting the mysterious woman that has gained my attention, but again I will if you throw some crazy shit my way. So use this opportunity wisely, because I think we both know that I’m not as gullible as Beckett and in no way will I fall for some strip tease weight lifting bullshit.”
“Well, you know how to take the fun out of a man’s day now, don’t you?”
“What’s it gonna be, Lex?” The man is actually pouting, a pushed-out lip, sad puppy dog eyes, and everything.
“Fine.” Lexington pushes back in his chair and crosses his arms over his chest. “That man that works in your security department. I think you all call him Surge or something like that.”
“Are you talking about Greg?”
“Yeah, that’s it.” Lex smiles brightly. “You got to promise me you will get me an in with him.”
“Greg likes women.” Somethings are impossible, he has to know that.
“Have you ever seen him on a date with a woman?” Lexington arches his brow as he waits patiently for my answer.
“There…” I pause, trying to remember any time I saw him outside the office. “He…” Again I pause, realizing Lex may be right. “Okay, no, I haven’t seen him with a woman, but I’m sure he’s not into men.”
“Are you?”
No, I’m not.
Lex takes my silence as his answer. “I don’t need you to set us up, because I’m confident I can do that on my own. I’m pretty terrific after all. I just need a chance to get him alone.” I suddenly feel a little bad for Greg. “I know a homosexual man when I see one, and he is in fact into men. If I have things my way, he’ll be into me.” Lexington wags his brows suggestively, as if I didn’t already catch on to his little innuendo.
“Okay,” I hold up my hands to stop him, “no more details. I will get him to go out one night, like an office thing, and I’ll ensure you know where and when. You can show up and work your magic.” I fight the urge to laugh. Magic, no, he is like a nagging fly. After it blows up and backfires, I will have to apologize to Greg for the entire shit show.
“So,” Lexington stands and rubs his hands together eagerly, “what are we making for this pretty lady? Simple or over the top?”
“Let’s settle for something in between.”
Lex grabs his shiny jacket, his bag off the floor, and marches past me toward the elevator.
“You are so fucked, brother.” Ashton places his hand on my shoulder and gives me a nudge. “I hope this woman is worth it, because you’ve just sold your soul to the devil for the chance to impress her.”
“Are you calling me the devil?” Lexington looks anything but displeased.
“Wouldn’t be the first time.”
Ashton and Lex have a love-hate relationship. I think, no I know, he puts up with all the crazy because the man is his wife’s best friend.
“True.” Lexington laughs. “Come on big guy. We’ve got a trip to the store and then it’s back to your place for some magic.”
Ashton’s laughter echoes after him as he walks toward his office.
“No magic, Lex,” I correct him, “just cooking.”
“That’s what I meant.” He winks just as the elevator dings, and he steps inside waiting for me to join him.
When would we learn? There is always a price to pay when it comes to Lexington.
* * *
“I’m impressed. This is really good.” Tinley places her fork onto her plate and lifts her glass of wine to take a sip. “Amazing.”
“I may have had a little help,” I confess because I think she already knows that I didn’t pull this off on my own. Some soup that I can’t even pronounce, followed by roasted duck in a really good sauce and steamed vegetables with a cream dipping sauce. And let’s not forget the seasoned potatoes and hand-tossed salads.
Tinley pauses for a second before quickly recovering but it was too late. She’ll deny that I already know, but she is a little jealous. “Do you remember Lexington Russell?”
She shakes her head and lowers her wine to the table.
“My brother’s assistant and the guy who originally hired the caterer you work for to serve at my brother’s wedding.”
“Oh, yes.”
“He helped me cook all this.” I motion over the table with my hand.
“Helped, or cooked it all?”
“I made the salad and the vegetables.”
“Well,” she toys with her napkin, her eyes locked on mine, “the salad was a favorite part.”
I know she is being a smartass, but I’ve gotten used to her sarcasm and snarky remarks. If she turns sweet and agreeable, things wouldn’t feel the same. I’ve found that I truly enjoy the woman Tinley is. She is strong and difficult but alluring. I never thought I’d fall for someone so disagreeable and frustrating.
I stand from the table and begin cleaning up dinner. When she starts to help me, I tell her to go relax, and of course she doesn’t listen. I knew she wouldn’t. Instead we move around the kitchen together like we’ve been doing it for months.
I wipe down the table and look up toward the counter that separates the dining area and kitchen to find Tinley running dishwater in the sink. “You could load those dishes in the dishwasher.”
Her hands freeze on the handles, “Sorry, I’m used to washing them.”
She seems embarrassed as she turns off the water and grabs for the towel to dry her hands.
Hurrying around the counter, I step up behind her and place one hand on the counter on either side of her. She does her best to seem unaffected by my closeness, but I can sense it in the way her shoulders remain still and her hands fist the towel she holds.
Leaning closer, my chest forms to her back and the smell of her shampoo engulfs me, something floral, sweet and enticing, mixed with her perfume. “Let’s not worry about the dishes.”
She takes in a deep breath, her body budging against mine. The movement causes her ass to shift and press backward against my cock.
“What would you rather do?” Tinley asks as she turns in my arms. She looks at me with those big gorgeous blues of hers and I feel my knees grow weak from her beauty.
“I think I’d rather kiss you.” Wrapping my arms around her waist I hold her close. “Unless you don’t want me to.”
“Hm,” Tinley places her hands on my chest and wrinkles her nose. “About that—”
“About what?”
“Your kissing.” She is being playful. I adore a playful Tinley; she appears very rarely. “I thought you’d be so much better at it.”
“You’re complaining about the way I kiss?” I know without a doubt she is being a smartass. I can still hear the moans she made the other night when I kissed her. Lowering my mouth closer to hers, I see the hitch in her breath as she tries her best to remain in control.
“I’m just suggesting that maybe you practice a little more.” I can feel the heat of her breath on my face. “I’m willing to offer myself up as tribute.”
I can’t control the chuckle that spills from me. “Is that so?” Tinley nods and I cup the back of her neck with my other hand. “That’s extremely kind of you. How about we practice a little right now?” Again she nods, just before I press my lips to hers.
Getting lost in her is so easy. Kissing her makes my head cloud and my body hum.
“Better?” I nibble on her lower lip and she sighs.
“Mmhm,” Tinley whispers in return, “but you should definitely keep going.”
Spinning her around, I back her up to the wall and use the weight of my body to hold her. I focus on tasting every inch of her mouth, not ignoring the way her body responds to my touches in combination. So free, so expressive, in no way rigid or unsure.
When I feel her fingertips under the hem of my shirt, skimming over my sides and coming together above the waistband of my jeans, my stomach tightens beneath her touch.
Gliding her hands upward she begins to lift my shirt and I release my hold on her long enough to grab for it and lift it over my head. Tossing it to the floor I watch as her gaze scans over my chest.
“Tell me this is okay.” It has to be because I feel like I am going to explode with need. I’ll wait if that’s what she wants, but I hoped like hell she wanted all the things rolling through my mind.
Tinley doesn’t answer with words; instead she reaches out and hooks her fingers through the belt loops of my jeans and tugs. My body crashes to hers and our mouths veer together again in a heated kiss.
Things are about to change, and I can’t fucking wait.
Chapter Twenty-One
Tinley
The weight of the wall behind me with the combination of Knoxville at my front holds my body up. I have never felt so consumed; he is everywhere all at once and I am on fire, or so it feels. His hands cup my breasts, his thigh is secured between my parted legs, and his mouth, oh God his mouth is exploring me. My neck, my chest, then back to my lips.
I place my hands on his shoulders, squeezing gently.
He releases his hold on my chest and glides his palms over my sides and down to my hips. When he pulls me closer, I feel the pressure against my swollen sex and before I can stop myself I am shifting against him. A deep groan leaves him before he starts to work my pants down my body, leaving them pooled at my feet. He wastes no time coming back to me, his body pressed to mine once more. Only this time he grips my ass and lifts me, moving even closer.
“You drive me mad,” Knoxville confesses, kissing along my jaw and biting at my ear. “So fucking perfect.”
I want to respond but my head is so clouded with need that I can’t form words.
“I’ve never experienced this kind of want for any woman. With you it’s like I can’t think of anything else. You’re in my head, Tinley, always in my head. I want you, I want us.”
“Me too.” So much it hurts.
Lowering me to the ground he moves back just enough to unfasten his jeans and push them down low enough for his cock to spring forward. I expected to feel panic, only it never comes. “Are you sure about this?”
I look up to find Knoxville looking at me, possibly worried that he’d gone too far.
“Yes.” I place my hand to his chest and allow it to slowly glide down over his toned chest and fit stomach. When I reach the base of his cock, he shudders. “I want you.”
Reaching around to his back pocket he pulls out his wallet and removes a condom from the inside pocket. Tossing the wallet to the floor, he lifts the foil packet to his mouth and tears at the edge.
I watch in awe as he sheaths himself and pauses to look at me once more. I smile, and grab the bottom of my shirt, lifting it up and over my head. I bring my hands back to my chest, unhook my bra in the center, and it parts to allow my breasts free. I notice the way his throat bobs as he swallows hard.
Kicking his legs, he continues to remove his pants. Once free he steps forward, placing one strong hand on my waist and tauntingly brushes his thumb along the bottom of my left breast. I feel that movement all through my body. “You are so beautiful.” His gaze scans over me just before he lowers his lips to my nipple and offers a teasing sweep of his tongue. I shudder and he proceeds to taste me, sucking and nibbling. Chills cover my body while wetness pools between my thighs.
Moving closer he releases my nipple and presses his lips to mine. When Knoxville kisses, I swear he pours everything he has into each one. The way he traces my lips and tongue with his own tongue, the tantalizing way he devours me, is intense.
Lifting me by the hips, he uses his body to press me to the wall once more. “Wrap your legs around me.” His voice is deep and husky, the sexiest tone I’ve ever heard. It is filled with such need, like he has to have me, like his life depends on it.
Following his direction, I give him what he needs, and immediately I feel how hard he is. Again I shift my body only this time there is nothing to separate us. I should feel shameful of my own desperation, but I can’t bring myself to. I want this connection. Maybe it is me whose life depends on it.
With one skillful hand he sweeps over me with one finger and growls, feeling how wet I am. “So ready,” he whispers before pushing his finger inside me and pulling free once more. “I need you.”
All I did is nod because my throat is so raw with that same need.
The moment I feel the tip of his cock press against me, I fight the urge to grind. The most incredible sense of urgency is taking over me. I want him inside me. I have to feel him moving against me, but I also want to enjoy every single touch he has to offer me, too.
With his cock positioned at my entrance he holds my hips firmly and starts to slowly enter. He is so well endowed and I can feel my body stretching to fit around him. “So tight.” Another growl escapes him, and I let my head fall back against the wall as I grip his shoulders tighter. Biting my lip, I hold back my discomfort as he fills me completely. As if he understands, he pauses and waits for me to assure him it is okay to move.
Lifting my head I look at him, and that is all I need. Those gorgeous eyes of his, so kind and trusting, focused only on me.
Cupping the back of his neck, I pull his mouth to my own and kiss him. He has yet to move, just offers me another one of his shattering kisses. “You scare me,” I confess, and when he tries to pull away I hold onto him tighter. “Because you make me feel so many things at once and I told myself not to fall for you.”
With that confession it seems to be all he needs to understand what I am feeling.
“I’ll never hurt you, that I promise.”
I shift against him, causing him to move inside me. I am so wet it pools between us and allows him to glide easily. “Move.” I refrain from saying more, worried I’ll sound as though I am begging. But in reality I am, I want more, I need it now.
Once again, he places his hands on my ass and uses the angle to drive into me before pulling back. It is gentle but so dirty at the same time. The only sounds are those our bodies make as he continues to move in and out of me. Sounds mixed with deep moans and whimpers. I have never in my life experienced anything so earth shattering. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that I will never be the same after tonight. I will never be the same after Knoxville.
Our bodies slick with sweat, Knoxville holds me tightly as he backs away from the wall, ensuring my body remains against his. With each step he takes, the shift of his body manages to make his cock move inside me and I bite into his shoulder to keep from moaning.
Stepping inside his room he pins me to the door and begins once again moving his hips, gliding in
and out of me leisurely. “You feel so fucking good.” I can’t even manage to respond. “Good” is nowhere near enough of an explanation for what being with him feels like.
Suddenly I’m being lifted off the door and he is moving toward his bed, laying me back against the posh comforter. In that moment it’s like a switch is flipped and he is moving with purpose. Each drive hits me deep before he pulls back only to repeat the motion again.
I am consumed, so full of Knoxville in every way possible.
Sweat drips from his brow, landing on my chest.
The way he watches me, as if I am all that exists, makes me feel emotions I have hidden from for so long. “Kiss me.” I need a moment to compose myself and I can’t do that with the way he is looking at me.
His lips press to mine, I fist the hair at the back of his neck, and Knoxville drives into me over and over. The angle is perfect, and I can feel my body rising to the point of release. Tightening my legs around his waist, I dig my feet into his ass to ensure he continues to move just as he is.
“Come for me, Tinley.” I am, I wanted to scream. “Come with me.”
My body shakes, as does his. For what felt like minutes we lay in that same position, just holding one another. Deep intakes of breath, doing our best to regain our composure. I am shaken; I was rocked to my core. Not just sexually but emotionally this man has tilted my life and part of me wants to run from this apartment and never look back. But an even bigger piece of me knows I won’t survive leaving him behind. Knoxville has taken a part of me from the first kiss. It didn’t matter how hard I fought it, I am his.
“Stay with me tonight,” Knoxville asks with his face still buried into the crease of my neck. Saying “yes” would go against every rule I’d made for myself. “I want you here,” he adds, “in my bed, in my arms. Please Tin, just stay.”
“Yes.” I wait for the panic but it never comes. The only thing I feel is safe as Knoxville pulls back, removes the condom, and tosses it into the trashcan. Pulling back the covers we both climb beneath and he curls his body behind mine. True to his word, he wraps his arms around me and I drift off, feeling more secure than I have in over a year.
