Quickest Risk

by MEGAN MATTHEWS

  Antonio hands me a fork, which I take as my cue to eat.

  “Belong to you?”

  “Yes, you know, as my girlfriend. I would see you are cared for in every way possible. There would be no need for your father to bail you out. It requires you to depend on me for everything.”

  I choke on a piece of food until Antonio lightly pats me on the back. “We don’t know one another.”

  Lukis told me Antonio would bring me here to wine and dine me at the cheap restaurant attached to our motel. He called him a womanizer, but he never said he’d be offering me cars and the chance to be purchased and owned by him. That’s not something I’m looking for in a relationship. Do I have “needs a sugar daddy” written on my forehead? I would have already walked out on any other guy who acted like this.

  Rather than answer, I shove half a sandwich quarter in my mouth and take my time chewing. Let’s hope my disgusting eating habits will turn him off from more perusing.

  The phone rings halfway through my second section of sandwich—the most obnoxious ringer I could find to alert me of Lukis’ call. I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss it . . . and also to give a good indicator of how much he annoys me. A wave of tension rolls off of me, releasing me from its icy grasp. My shoulders slump, and I breathe a sigh of relief. No more playing nice with Mr. Crazy Man. Even I’m not stupid enough to hang around. I don’t plan to be mean to him either, but it’s time to make my goodbye excuses.

  “Do you need to answer that?” Antonio asks as I reach into my back pocket and silence the phone.

  I shove the last bite of sandwich in my mouth and chew as fast as possible. “My mother again. I’ll call her back when I get to the room.”

  Antonio’s face falls. “Does that mean we’ll be cutting our afternoon short? The time has flown by, and it was a wonder getting to know you, Hannah.”

  I use all the energy I have left to fake being sad. “So sorry, but she worries about me.” Totally reasonable. I am alone in the desert. In truth, my parents don’t know the whole story of who I’m staying with, but if they did, I’m sure they’d worry.

  Antonio smiles again, patting my knee and squeezing. “Have no fear, we will have to plan something for tomorrow so I can see you again.”

  “Okay.” I try to sound as excited as possible. I hope to God I don’t have to have one more lunch. “Will you still be here tomorrow?”

  The man sitting across from us in the booth, who has remained silent throughout the entire meal, snorts drawing Antonio’s attention and a frown. “Dear, I will be here for as long as you need me.”

  The phone rings again, and I hurry to silence it.

  “Your mother must be anxious about you.”

  I finish the last bite of coleslaw and smile up at Antonio, hoping there’s food stuck between my teeth. Anything so he finds another girl to take car shopping. “Yes, she is. I’ll make sure and head back to call her soon.”

  Even with all my quick chewing, it takes over twenty-seven and a half minutes before Antonio pays the bill and we head back to the motel. Lukis called four more times until I texted him a big middle finger emoji. Antonio wouldn’t let me leave until he ordered me food to make it through the night since he wouldn’t be able to take me out. Something to do with one of his obligations for being at the motel. I didn’t press for more details because, quite frankly, I don’t want to know them. It would be a sweet gesture if he were anyone else. As it stands, he probably plans to be off whacking someone.

  “You don’t need to walk me to my room. I’m fine,” I say, standing at the corner of the building.

  “I will walk you. A young lady alone in the desert. It’s my duty.” Antonio wraps his arms around mine and acts like we’re a couple from the 1930s as he strolls me closer to room twenty-nine. The scene would be cute if he didn’t set off every creep factor sensor I have at my disposal.

  A slight freak-out happens in the bottom of my stomach, and my steps get smaller and smaller, prolonging the time until we reach the door. I hope to God Lukis is watching out the window and makes sure he’s gone by the time we reach the doorway. A lot hinges on the fact that Antonio thinks I’m here alone. Like maybe my life.

  “Is everything okay in your room? Do you feel safe?”

  I laugh again. Why the hell did I sound like a cheerleader on drugs? “Oh yes. I will go right in and call my mother. Thank you for the wonderful meal.” It’s a stretch, and my tongue hurts with the lie, but I can’t let Antonio think it’s anything but normal.

  Together we stop in front of door twenty-nine, and the nameless man who follows Antonio around hands me my bag of dinner. Antonio picked out a personal pizza with extra breadsticks for me after I told him it was my favorite food. So, while still an asshole and a deranged criminal mastermind, at least he asked what I like this time. There’s an upside, right?

  “Well . . . Have a good night. I wish you good luck with your business stuff.” I hesitate in front of the door not wanting to blow my cover.

  Antonio doesn’t leave. “I must make sure you get all the way.”

  “Oh . . .” I back up, hitting the bottom of the door with my foot. “Thank you. It’s so nice of you.” Thankful this time I brought the room key with me, and I dig in my pocket and pull out the small key with the oversized key chain. I fumble getting the key in the hole and turn the handle.

  “One day, you will not be so nervous around me, my dear. That will be the day we celebrate.”

  The most horrifying and chatty sound I’ve ever made in my entire life bubbles up in my throat. It’s truly the worst nervous laughter you could ever imagine. I’m embarrassed to be myself, but it does nothing to dissuade Antonio, who smiles without a flinch.

  “This time, we will let you go,” he says standing in front of the doorway as I creak it open. “But next time, you will not leave so easily.”

  “Oh . . .” A phone rings, and I take a moment to place the horrifying sounds coming from my back pocket.

  Antonio laughs. “Answer the phone from your mother, Bella. I will see you tomorrow.”

  “Right. Well, have a good night.” I half jump through the doorway and slam it closed, locking the door handle and deadbolt.

  I’m pushed up against the closed door, my back rubbing against the emergency exit directions they have taped to the surface. I drop the bag of food as Lukis’ lips smash against mine. He kisses rough and fast. It’s full of passion, nothing like anything I’ve experienced. My nipples pebble, and my core tightens. I’m attacked, but my body soon relaxes, and I meet his ferocity right back.

  A release of emotions takes over. Nervousness and excitement. It’s unexpected, but welcome. Lukis feels and tastes like a sexy desert dream.

  “You are never going out with him again,” Lukis says, pushing me harder against the door. His kisses deepen, not giving me time to respond as his tongue slips past my lips.

  6

  The kiss continues until I’m gasping for breath when he pulls away.

  “Promise me you won’t see him tomorrow.”

  I pull in a gasp of hot air from around us. “I promise.”

  Lukis is wearing the same clothes he was when I left him, a Buffalo plaid button-down shirt, and without waiting, I unbutton it. Our tongues duel for possession of my mouth. My fingers scrape against the muscles on his upper chest, and I pull him closer. Needing to touch him.

  The second to last button is tight and won’t fit through the buttonhole, so I fist the material and pull the shirt apart, exposing his muscular chest.

  “Damn, Sugar Lips, this is one of my favorite shirts.” Lukis steps back, allowing the shirt to fall from his shoulders, a huge smile displayed on his face.

  I shrug. “Don’t worry. I’ll buy you a new one.”

  My pussy clenches as Lukis rubs his pelvis against mine, his belt digging into my jeans. His hands slide up either side of my body, taking my shirt with them. Luk’s face falls between my breasts, his tongue dancing between the skin exposed around my
bra. He reaches behind, ripping the bra from my chest.

  “Hey! That’s my favorite bra.” The almost C cup was my best find in the last Victoria’s Secret Semiannual sale. I only break it out for special occasions, like trips to Las Vegas or a date with a mob boss.

  Lukis doesn’t stop. He pushes me harder against the wall. “I’ll buy you a new one.” The words echo my earlier ones.

  I fist his already rock-hard cock, squeezing him through the stiff material of his jeans. My body tingles with excitement and anticipation. Months have passed since I’ve had sex, and I’ve had nothing as hot and heavy as this already is. When have I ever had a man so overcome with emotion and caught up in the moment he can’t pull away? The door handle digs into my back but I barely notice, not willing to complain in case it makes him stop. I’ve wanted nothing more than I want Lukis right now. He sucks on my nipple, causing a satisfying sting.

  “Oh, God,” I moan as Lukis bites, his hips moving against mine. Heat pools in my core. I twist my hips out to bring our bodies closer and start meeting him thrust for thrust.

  “I’m going to fuck you here or against the side of the table. Either way, Hannah, I need my dick in you in the next three minutes.”

  Slow to process his words, I hesitate. “The bed,” I say, checking out the rumpled sheets. Lukis refused the housekeeping staff this afternoon for fear they would ask questions about his equipment.

  He shakes his head. “That wasn’t an option.” A hand snakes over the top of my pants, and his fingers pinch my clit after he invades my underwear. “The bed is for later.”

  “The door!” I shout as Lukis grinds up against me hard. The thought of having to leave this space is terrifying. I need him right now.

  He unbuttons my jeans and releases the zipper. “Turn around,” Lukis says, wiggling my jeans from around my hips.

  When I prepped for my non-date with the probable mobster, I wanted to have as much skin covered as possible, but now the tight jeans are keeping me from what I want — Lukis. I quickly do as he says, his hands running up and down my legs as he lowers my pants and underwear. Before he has time to push me up against the door.

  I’m jittery in anticipation. Life has been an adventure since meeting Lukis, and now we’ve taken it to the next level. He’s a man with a big, deep, and probably dark, past but the fun is in finding out what surprise he’ll have for me next.

  Lukis drops to his knees, placing a small kiss on the back of my thigh. I tense, tingles running up and down my legs. He stands, and the hair from his leg tickles the back of mine. When the hell did he take his pants off? His hard dick slips in between my ass cheeks, the long length rubbing back and forth in the space. I moan and fall the last few inches against the door, my boobs smashed against the wood. Lukis twists his hand around my body, playing with my clit as he continues to rub our two bodies together. I tilt my head, straining to the side to get a better view, but the most I see is the edge of his shoulder.

  Lukis adjusts his position, his dick now rubbing between my lower lips as my excitement coats him. His tip smacks against my clit in between the quick circles his fingers rub against my heated flesh.

  “No, I can’t do this.” Lukis stops.

  The heat and excitement that had been building plummets from one-hundred to zero. I take a step back, disappointment turning my chest red. “What?”

  One hand squeezes my hips as he takes a step back. “Turn around. I want to see your face.”

  I turn around and pull him back. “Do you have a condom?” As a girl of the new millennium, I wouldn’t rely on the guy for this particular need, but I didn’t have plans to hook up while in Vegas. This quick weekend getaway became so much more when I met Lukis.

  There’s a wicked smile etched across his face, and he twists around to grab something off the room dresser. His movements are slow, but the velvety skin of his shafts rubs between my legs, setting my clit on fire. He looks down, and there’s a tearing sounds before he steps away, wrapping the condom around himself. When it’s finished, it takes mere seconds for him to reposition. He grabs one of my legs, wrapping it around his hip, and sets himself at my entrance. Lukis moves slowly. I’m so wet and ready, there’s barely any friction as he slides inside.

  “Oh fuck, you’re gorgeous, Sugar Lips,” he moans before kissing me slowly and then starting a quick, jarring pace.

  I groan around his lips each time his body makes contact against mine. The assault is too much, all the nerves endings in my body tingling and firing in excitement. Heat consumes my core, twisting and turning. He changes his angle and hits at the perfect position.

  “Oh, God, more like that.” The door rattles against the casing each time our bodies smack against it. I dig my fingernails into his back, pulling him closer.

  My pussy tightens, my orgasm growing, and Lukis growls, pushing me further into the door. Nails scratch against his back as I try to climb up him getting closer and closer to the orgasm. Finally, my eyes squeeze shut, and my head falls back against the wood. My body jerks, clenching around his as the orgasm releases.

  “That’s right, baby,” he whispers, moving my hips forward a fraction. I breathe a sigh of relief as the tension leaves my body. Lukis’ movements become erratic, and he thrusts into me hard three times, my body shaking the room door like an angry person demanding to get inside. When he stills, his head falls against the wood, not releasing my leg. Lukis’ breath flickers across my ear and neck.

  “Holy shit, that was good,” he says, pulling away to look me in the eyes. His starry expression is full of amazement. “Knew it would be good, but that was explosive.”

  I smile. No one’s called me explosive. Those kind of compliments make a girl feel good.

  Lukis kisses me on the lips and pulls out. “Fuck me. We will need more condoms. A lot more condoms,” he says, his still-hard dick rubbing between my folds.

  7

  The heavy fall of rain against the weathered plastic tub is enough to lull me back to sleep . . . Almost. If I were vacationing somewhere in Hawaii, I could close my eyes and pretend it was a midmorning storm happening outside my window. But as my eyes slowly peel open and I take in my surroundings, I’m reminded that I’m not in Hawaii with lush green vegetation. No, I’m in the desert. Still stranded at the Last Chance Motel.

  The sound of rain outside the motel window isn’t what wakes me. It’s the noise from my sexy as hell roommate showering. My ears strain to listen, but there’s no sound of singing.

  What a pity.

  I bet he has a wonderful signing voice. Lukis can do such marvelous things with his tongue.

  Being stranded in this shady little motel in the middle of nowhere turned out not to be such a bad thing once Lukis became involved. Fate was looking out for me after all. At first, the thought of spending my birthday in this cheap motel room was anything but exciting, but after spending last night ringing in a new decade with Lukis, I’m more than satisfied. Thirty will be a fan fucking-tastic year.

  I sigh, rubbing my head against the scratchy white pillowcase in the middle of the bed. One foot snakes out from under the covers, cooling my body the perfect amount as I lie back and listen to Lukis shower.

  And think about what he looks like showering. If I wasn’t still tired, I’d get up and join him. I don’t normally make such rash decisions. I’ve only had a single one-night stand in my life, but this thing with Lukis feels like more.

  Still weighing my options about making it out of bed, my phone rings, breaking my Lukis daydream. I plugged it in last night between one of our passionate love sessions — yeah, I called them love sessions, bite me — but it was kicked under the bed. I find it when I lean over far enough I worry I’ll fall.

  More than likely, it’s my mom and dad calling to wish me a happy birthday, if they haven’t forgotten that as well in all the excitement of my sister having another child.

  A millisecond before I slide my finger across the screen to answer the call, I stall. What if my father i
s back and ready to pick me up? This thing between Lukis and me always had an end in sight, but I’m not ready for it to be today.

  The phone rings again, and I answer. There’s no time to dwell now.

  “Hello.”

  A masculine voice seeps from the line, but it doesn’t belong to my father. “Someone is excited to hear from me.”

  “Antonio,” I hesitate, not sure what to say next. I promised Lukis up and down last night that I would not have any more contact with Antonio. Lukis said it’s much too dangerous for me to be involved.

  And while Antonio doesn’t seem much worse than your average slime ball, I’m not taking any chances.

  “I’m not waking you up. Am I?”

  “No,” I say. Something unnerving crawls up my skin, and I tuck my foot back under the covers as if Antonio is watching. A snake lying in wait under the bed. “I am just getting up,” I lie.

  “That’s too bad. I was enjoying thinking about you naked in bed.”

  I swallow hard and stop moving. How would he know I’m naked? “I sleep in pajamas, silly.” I’ve never been great at playing it cool, and I’m only worse when I know the person I’m talking to is a criminal sleazeball.

  Antonio doesn’t seem to catch on to my nervousness. Or if he does, he doesn’t care. “Not now, but in my dreams, it’s much more fun.”

  “Oh.”

  “A joke, Bella.” Antonio laughs for a few seconds. Rather than be amused, I pull the bed covers up around me trying to block myself from the room. “I called to invite you to dinner.”

  “Dinner?” I’m not supposed to go anywhere with Antonio. Definitely not dinner. Lukis would shit a brick.

  “Yes,” he keeps talking, unaware I’m having a mental freak-out about how to turn him down. Antonio knows where I’m staying and kills people for a living. Lukis didn’t tell me what he does as part of his “crime ring.” “Although it will need to be an early dinner. I have a very important business meeting planned for later in the evening. A colleague and I have to swap information.”