Bittersweet Chocolate (9 page)

“Oh, baby, you’re so damn tight. Relax, I promise I won’t hurt you.”

After a moment, she realized he’d stopped moving, and opened her eyes.

“Told you,” he said, perspiration peppering his forehead. “I’ll never intentionally hurt you.”

His momentum started out unhurried, gradually escalating, his breathing becoming harsh, and the force of his thrusts increasing as he recaptured her mouth. She draped her legs over his hips and matched his urgency, their bodies moving in perfect harmony. The heat started in her feet, the involuntary tremors of climax started, and her arms tightened around his neck, nails scoring his shoulders. Pelvic muscles contracted around him, and both tensed.

“Gray.” Unfathomable pleasure she never wanted to end.

“Ah, Marissa...damn.” He reclaimed her mouth, a deep, sensual, breathtaking kiss.

Exhausted, they remained wrapped in each other’s arms for a moment before he rose up, balancing his weight on his forearms. Idly brushing stray tendrils of hair from her forehead, he bent forward and kissed her mouth. “That was just the beginning.”

He rolled off her, removed, tied off, and discarded the condom. Reaching out, he spooned her body to his, and seconds later he dozed off.

Wired and alert, she wanted something to eat but didn’t want to disturb him. So she stayed nestled against his warm body, listening to his deep even breathing.

Hell, she couldn’t get over his sensitivity to her needs, something Joel never pretended, not in all the time they’d been together. Sex with Joel always seemed rushed―a slam-bam-thank-you-Ma’am, money on the table workout. In addition, what she experienced with Joel wasn’t satisfying, and left her feeling there should have been more.

Graham gave her the gratification she needed, showed her what she’d been missing.

She’d started to doze off, heard noises like those she’d heard when Joel was out of town, and eased from beneath Graham’s arm. She sat up and listened. A few minutes passed. She didn’t hear any more sounds, and dismissed what she’d heard as creepy house-settling noises.

Lying back on her pillows, she returned Graham’s arm to her waist and relaxed. In moments, sleep claimed her.

Graham became an addiction.

Thoughts of him occupied her every free moment, and he let her monopolize all of his spare time. Not once during their time together did she waste any serious thought on her relationship with Joel. Heck, why would she? After their last few encounters, she felt no remorse, only relief.

The second week with Graham became worse, or better, depending on the viewpoint. Their exploits into sexual experimentation were extraordinary. Joel had been an amateur compared to Graham. Joel never suggested she could be on top. Nor had they ever tried anal sex, or fellatio, which she found sinfully erotic. Recognizing how much pleasure it gave Graham, she became quite skillful and inventive.

He was a giving and satisfying lover, but she refused to consider love had any part in their association. She wanted him, sexually, period.

Joel’s first night back, they were at the kitchen table eating dinner when he spoke to her for the first time since his return. “I think our relationship has played itself out.”

His opening remark made her smile and nod agreement. She hadn’t heard from him while he’d been away, and she wasn’t the least bit curious.

“I’ll be here for a couple of weeks,” he snapped. “We’ll have plenty of time to decide how we want to handle the breakup.”

“Joel. If you want the apartment, tell me now, and I’ll be out of here before the night is over.”

“You can keep the apartment. I’m on the road so much, I’m moving back with my family.”

“You know, at this point, I don’t care where you go, as long as it’s away from me.”

“I’m sorry you feel that way. I thought you might feel up to giving another party...consider it a farewell party.”

Stunned, she stared, her mind working overtime. For him to suggest she give him any type of party, and invite all their neighbors, hell. Except for Graham, Rick, and their roommates, more than likely, the other neighbors didn’t know Joel lived there.

“Well.”

“I don’t know.” She didn’t want to have a party with him, playing the role of dutiful hostess to his host, but he persisted.

“Come on, Marissa. I know I’ve been an asshole. I’ve apologized.” He smiled. “Please, for old times’ sake, no hard feelings.”

Okay, it was a party, and she did like having parties, but it didn’t make sense. Of course, he hadn’t been making much sense since she’d moved in with him. Besides, a party would be as much a celebration for her as for him. To get him out of her life with minimum fuss, she wished she could throw a block party. Against her better judgment, she caved.

“Sure, but don’t mess with me, Joel. You’ll be leaving in what...three weeks?”

“Yes.”

She glanced at the calendar on the wall. “Your last day here will be a Friday. I’ll schedule the party for that night.”

In the weeks prior to Joel’s leaving and the party, Marissa settled back into her pre-conflict routine―work, dinner, and settle down with a good book. Joel went on local runs during the week, and since she slept in the guest bedroom, they had minimum contact and led separate lives. For her, the only drawback to their situation was not spending time with Graham. Overall, the thought of the breakup didn’t faze her.

Joel, on the other hand, became obnoxious and antagonistic at the slightest provocation, but as long as he didn’t get violent, she ignored him, and that seemed to make him angrier. A few times, she’d been tempted to call him on his behavior, but decided on a course of least resistance. If she hadn’t sent out invitations, she would have cancelled the party plans.

The week before the party, she suspected she was pregnant. Recalling the few times she and Graham had become so involved he didn’t use protection, she made an appointment with her doctor for verification. Her periods had never been regular.

She had mixed feelings about the pregnancy, none of them regret, because she wanted, and intended to keep, the baby. But not being in love with Graham pricked her conscience. Next, she had to factor Joel into the equation, even though it wasn’t necessary for him to know. She and Joel hadn’t slept together in months, but his random moodiness made her edgy, not knowing how he’d react if he suspected.

Okay, not going to stress over it.
He would be leaving after the party.

The night of the party, Joel’s behavior astounded her, and contributed to the success of the party. He oozed cordiality, talked to everyone. With him leaving the following morning, and her pregnancy, Marissa couldn’t have been happier. Yet being so happy worried her.

When the party broke up, Joel wasn’t in the apartment, but Graham had lingered.

“Where’s Joel?”

“I think he went next door.” Graham pulled her into his arms. “I’ve missed you.”

“Joel will be out of here in the morning.”

“Will you be able to manage the rent on your own, or do you need another roommate?” She didn’t respond. “Marissa, you’re not upset about this breakup, are you?”

“Not likely.” She snorted. “But Gray, we’re...well, I’m pregnant.”

“Tell me it’s my baby.”

“Hey, mister man, I’m not like that. I haven’t slept with Joel in months,” she snapped. “I wouldn’t be sleeping with both...”

He put his fingers to her lips. “I’m sorry. That’s not the way I intended that to come out.” He hugged her to him. “Marry me.”

“Whoa.” She pulled from his embrace, placed her hands against his chest, and held him at arm’s-length. “You’re kidding, right.” For her, their relationship wasn’t about love, but she knew that sentiment should be at least one prerequisite for marriage. “You know what you’re asking?”

“I know exactly what I’m asking.”

“Don’t get me wrong, I like you,” she stated. “But not too long ago, I believed I loved Joel. I don’t think I should take such a drastic step so soon.”

He pulled her close and kissed her. Marissa returned the kiss with total abandon, forgetting about Joel until he appeared in the doorway. She stiffened and tried to pull away, but Graham wouldn’t release her. Joel and Graham glared at each other for a few seconds before Joel stalked into the master bedroom, slamming the door behind him.

“How long do you think he was standing there?” she asked.

“Who cares?”

“Gray, I don’t trust Joel anymore.”

“Forget him. I’m sure as hell not afraid of Joel, and from what I know about you, you’re not afraid of him either.” He kissed her forehead. “Honey, this is about us. I’m happy about the baby. Don’t let Joel ruin it.”

“I won’t, but you don’t have to marry me. I can handle this on my own.”

“Why the hell should you? It wasn’t an Immaculate Conception. I’m going to help you, and be a part of his life whether you marry me or not.”

“Oh,
his
life...you’ve decided it’s a boy, huh?” She hugged Graham, but prompted him to leave, remembering Joel had returned.

“Marissa...”

“No, Gray. After tomorrow, we’ll have plenty of time to talk and plan. Don’t want any hassles with Joel at this late date. I’ll be all right.”

“Okay, if you’re sure.” He kissed her again and left.

Marissa went into the spare bedroom, undressed, and washed up, pondering how long Joel had been watching her and Graham, and what he might have overheard. Shrugging, her thoughts moved on to the next day. Saturday, she could sleep late.

Exhausted, she fell asleep moments after her head touched the pillow.

She woke with a start.

Frowning, she turned to look at the clock, blinked a few times to clear her blurred vision, then noted the time and realized she’d only been asleep about an hour. Exhausted as she’d been, uh, why—what woke her. Puzzled, she sat up, listening, straining to hear. She looked around and in the shadows, she saw the indistinct, shifting outline of someone standing in the doorway. She switched on the table lamp.

Joel stood just beyond the arc of light, and he wasn’t alone. Except for Graham, the fellas from next door were present.

“What do you want?”

Joel approached and she started to inch toward the side of the bed, but he reached her before she could make it. Shoving her back, he held her down as she struggled to pull from his grasp.

“Take your hands off me,” she said without caution or fear. “Where’s Graham?”

Joel ignored her questions. “Well, guys, here she is. Thought she was so fuckin’ untouchable,” he sneered. “Now the bitch is pregnant.” He grabbed her chin and forced her face up. “And it’s not even my baby. Oh no, two damn years wasted. That bastard Gray ruined my plans for
little miss untouchable.
Why stop there? If Gray can enjoy her abundant charms, all of us should.”

Fear kicked in. “No,” she screamed and he hastily covered her mouth with his hand. While struggling to wrench her face from his grasp, the others grabbed her arms and legs. It was at that moment she remembered why Graham and Rick had looked familiar to her when they met. They were at the party she’d attended when she was sixteen, where she’d met Joel. They
were
from Camac and Diamond, didn’t just live in the vicinity. With that realization, jumbled thoughts raced through her mind.

Why were they doing this? Until she moved in with Joel, the only time she remembered being around them had been that party. Or she might have seen some of them around the neighborhood when she’d visited Joel at his parents’ home. For sure, she’d never spoken to them before she moved next door, so what could she have done to them to warrant what they intended. Hell, she hadn’t done anything to Joel, except try to love him.

At one point, the hand over her mouth slipped and she screamed. Another hand quickly silenced her, soon replaced by the cool, smooth feel of a piece of fragrant silken material. She knew that smell.
Shalimar,
her perfume―he was using her own clothing as a gag. No point in struggling, there were too many. She needed to save her strength, bide her time, in case she had a chance to break free.

Joel stood looking down at her for a long time, smiling, not touching her. “I know how much you enjoy sex, Marissa. The night of your first party, I was here, I heard you and Gray.”

Heat strafed her cheeks. He should have been at his parents’ house that night. How many other times had he been in town, how often had he been watching her, and from where, Graham’s place? Joel
must
have been next door in Graham’s place when she and Graham smoked the joint. But why—how
did
Graham fit into this? It didn’t make sense. She didn’t want to believe Graham was involved, but they were gang members, pack mentality.

Hell, what did it matter now? Joel’s intentions were clear. Her rambling thoughts ended when he spoke again, his voice void of emotion.

“Do you have any preferences? We plan to spend the rest of the night with you, showing you all there is to know about sex, our way. We want to experience your joy of sex.”

With the gag preventing coherent speech, Marissa frantically shook her head, mouthing words that were no more than garbled sounds. Just as Joel snatched the covers away, Graham stormed into the room, ignoring everybody except Joel.

“What the hell is going on?”

“Stay out of this, Gray.” Joel turned his back on him.

Graham grabbed Joel’s arm, spun him around, and yanked him close. “Have you lost your damn mind? You know she’s pregnant, how the hell do you expect me to stay out of it, it’s my child’s life you’re jeopardizing,” he demanded. “I told you, weeks ago, things were different. I’ll be damned if I’m going to let you hurt her.”

Joel laughed. “Does she have you that pussywhipped you think you can take all of us?”

“If I have to...back off.” Graham turned to the others. Teeth clenched, he gritted out, “Take your hands off her.”

Joel laughed again, a humorless sound. “Okay, let’s play by Gray’s rules. It’s obvious he’s serious about the heifer.” The others chuckled, released her, and stepped away from the bed.

“Damn straight, I’m serious about her.” Graham released Joel’s arm with a little shove. “You lied about her from the get-go, and still have these assholes believing you. You’re the one with the problem.”