The Truth in Lies (The Truth in Lies Saga) (27 page)

“Not here, baby.  Let’s get back to your place.”  He reached behind me and opened the door.  As soon as he was certain I was comfortable, he closed the door.   I could barely see him through the windshield as he ran to the driver’s side.  He patted the hood as he rushed around the front of the car.

He slid in the car, unconcerned that both of us were soaked and potentially ruining the leather seats.  He fumbled with the keys and started the engine.  In a flash we were back on Clark Road.  He turned on the heater before resting his hand on my thigh. 

Energy buzzed around us.  My legs bounced with anticipation as Drew sped through the streets of Sarasota. 

Drew’s fingers dug into my flesh as we pulled up to a stop light.  “Damn it,” he grumbled.

“What is it?”

“I don’t have any condoms.  Will it kill this if I stop to get some?”

My sopping head fell back against the headrest.  “It better not, because we need them.”

Within a flash, Drew had us parked in front of a drug store.  “I’ll be right back.”

“Hurry,” I instructed.

Drew darted toward the store, leaving me in the warm car.  I closed my eyes and let my mind carry me away.  All I could think about was the fact that this was happening.  I had dreamt of this moment for so long.  I never expected it to be so wild and full of passion, but that made it all that much better for me.

The car door slammed shut.  I opened my eyes to find Drew throwing the car into reverse with a bag in his lap.  Drew jolted when I reached for the bag.  I peeked inside to see a bright orange box labeled:
Trojan Charged
.

“Ribbed for your pleasure.”  His index finger slid slowly up my thigh.

I swallowed hard, still staring at the box.  “Come again?” I asked, not thinking clearly.

“And again, and again, and again.”  He spoke each word slowly.  His voice dripped with lust as he continued to slowly rub his finger over my skin.

“Oh, God,” I whispered, pulling the bag back over the box.

Drew’s teeth raked over his bottom lip, grinding deep into his already swollen lips.  The passion between us hadn’t died by our little detour.  If anything it increased it.

“At least you were quick,” I quipped.  He pushed his hand slowly up under my dress, teasing me, but never meeting the point in which I wanted him.

“It’s the only thing that I’ll be quick with tonight.  I assure you.”  His eyebrows wiggled suggestively.

Five minutes later we were in front of my apartment.  “Inside. Now,” I growled as I kissed him deeply.  I jumped out of the car, with the bag in my hand, before he could even put it into park.

“Somebody’s anxious,” he said as he closed the door.

I hummed my response.  Only one thing was on my mind and talking wasn’t it. 

We rushed to the door.  His hands explored my body, as I struggled with getting the key in the lock.  He nibbled down my neck, murmuring, “So sexy.”

As soon as I opened the door, he pushed me inside, slammed me up against the wall, and shut the door with his foot.  The bag in my hand fell to the floor, as I wrapped my arms tight around his neck.  He picked me up off the floor and wrapped my legs around his waist.  Passion flowed between us. 

My hands reached around the back of his neck and tugged his head back as my mouth attacked his throat.  I eagerly sucked his Adam’s apple as he wrestled with my dress.  “Oh, God, this thing has to come off now,” he grunted.  I pulled back and let him tug the wet fabric over my head. 

I raked my teeth along his jaw, as he moved us away from the wall, and started toward my bedroom.  I gripped the hem of his t-shirt pulling it over his head.  I marveled at the way his muscles flexed under his skin.  He was perfection wrapped in a flesh.  My hands explored every exposed crevice of his body, memorizing the way he moved, how he felt, and even the sounds he made as I touched him.

We entered my bedroom where Drew gently placed me on the bed.  He looked down at me lustfully.  He unbuttoned his pants, pushing them down his hips.  His eyes darted around the room.  “Um, Mickie, where are the condoms?”

“Shit.  I dropped them in the living room.”

He made a mad dash out of my room.  While he was gone, I took the opportunity to finish undressing.  When he ran back into the room he was fighting with the box to get it opened. His long lanky fingers ripped the cardboard open, showering the floor with orange metallic packages. 

“Fuck!” he bellowed, scrambling for the fallen wrappers.  I covered my mouth trying hard not to laugh at his haste. 

He swiped a package from the floor waving it around like a flag.  “Got it!” he exclaimed, tearing it open with his teeth.  Then he pushed his boxers down his hips exposing his body to me.  A wave of liquid fire enveloped me.  He was gorgeous.

That’s when he stopped what he was doing and looked at me.  I blushed having been caught staring at his naked form.  Little did I realize, he too, was examining me. 

“Wow!” he breathed.

“You took the words right from my mouth.”

“You’re gorgeous.”

“Come here.”  I wagged a finger indicating for him to come to me.   A sly grin careened his face as he took a step toward the bed.  His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm. 

As he reached the foot of the bed his smile changed.  The room, still charged with the electricity of passion, had another intense sensation flood it.  His eyes grew darker and he swallowed hard as he touched the tips of my toes.

“I’ve wanted you for so long,” he whispered. 

I sat up in the bed, taking his hand in mine.  “I’ve wanted you too.”

He took my outstretched hand.   “You feel it don’t you?  This connection between us.”

One side of my mouth lifted into a half smile.   “I felt it the first time we met, and it has only grown stronger with each passing day.”

A sigh of relief pushed forth from his chest.  He then lowered himself onto the mattress kissing me with burning passion.  There, he took me into his arms fulfilling all of our deepest wants and desires.  In that bed, our souls and our bodies united as one.

* * *

Hours later, the pitter patter of the rain stopped beating its majestic rhythm against my windows.  The bright moon appeared in the night sky, shining its brilliant beams through my back door.

“Mickie, are you all right?” Drew asked between soft kisses.

I touched his face, now shadowed by the moonlight.  “I’m perfect.”  Pressing my lips to his chest, the taste of his skin coated my tongue.

“Me too.”  His husky voice dripped with satisfaction.  He pushed my hair back from my face and smiled.  “Well, that was unexpected,” he noted with a chuckle.  Wrapped in his arms, I pulled the covers up over us and relaxed in his embrace.

“Was it though?” I jested.

“Maybe not,” he breathed into my hair with a soft chuckle. 

Exhaustion consumed me.  My eyes fluttered closed, as I nuzzled my nose to his jaw.  Even after hours of being out in the rain and engaged in hard sex, he still smelled divine.

“I guess you enjoyed the drum circle then?”  His fingers passed through my hair, lightly pulling the tangles free.  I winced as he tugged the strands, tenderly taking care of me after having ravished my body in ways I never imagined.

I lifted my head.  With a straight face, I replied, “Nah.  I found it quite boring really.”

Drew’s head pushed back into the pillow, his chin falling to his chest as he took in my expression.  His mouth turned down and his brow furrowed.  “Really?”

“No, not really.”  I chuckled at his reaction.  “Andy, I loved it.”

He relaxed again and pulled me tighter to him.  I rested my head on his chest listening to the steady thrum of his heartbeat.  “That makes me really happy.  You have no idea how much,” he muttered through a muffled yawn.

I sighed happily and traced his collarbone with my fingertips, not wanting this night to come to an end.  But as most good things, it had to end.

“Let’s get some rest.”  He kissed the top of my head.  Even a chaste kiss on the top of my head sent butterflies fluttering through my stomach.  Being intimate with him confirmed what I already knew.  I was in love with Andrew Wise. 

“Okay,” I whispered.  “Goodnight, Andy.”

“Sleep well, beautiful.  Goodnight.”  

We held each other close in the dark.  The only sounds that could be heard were the hum of the air conditioner and our light breathing.  It was the most peaceful I had felt in ages.  His body cocooned mine creating a protection that nothing could penetrate.

Through sleepy eyes, I cast a final glance in his direction.  He was sound asleep.  A faint smile remained on his distended lips, reminding me that he was just as happy as I was.

For the first time in a long time sleep didn’t elude me.  Drew was the comfort I had needed all along.

I woke the following morning completely rested. I couldn't remember the last time I had slept through the night undisturbed.  Drew lay peacefully beside me still sound asleep.

The gentle rays of the morning sun danced into my bedroom, softly illuminating his handsome features. Light shades of gold glistened through his soft brown hair.  The surface of his face was smooth save the two-day stubble that appeared along his rugged jaw line and upper lip.  My fingers grazed over the dark coarse hair leading me to his plump, smooth lips; which still burned red from my assault on them the night before. I leaned up on my elbow and watched him sleep. His shallow breathing was peaceful and serene. He let out a tiny moan and turned toward me.

“You have a thing about watching people, don’t you?”

His long eyelashes fluttered opened and a sweet, lazy smile appeared on his lips. I smiled in return. The sunlight reached his eyes at just the right angle, causing his normal blue to become nearly opaque.

“Only people who catch my interest.”

“Am I a person of interest?”

He stretched wide, grunting, as his skin tightened over his expanded muscles.  The pale gray sheets pulled away from his body, tempting me to look further.  Unable to avert my eyes, I followed the thin trail of hair guiding me down his sternum to his stomach.  The sheet lay lazily over his hips, taunting me with the perfection that I knew was underneath.  Cupping the side of his face, I leaned down and placed a tender kiss on his ruby lips. 

“You’re my
only
person of interest.”

“Is that so?”

He wrapped his arms around me, flipping me onto my back.  His hands brushed my hair from my face.

“Very much so.”

His tongue darted out over his lips, as they turned into a cocky grin.  “Good.  Let’s keep it that way.”

If he only realized what he did to me.  How a single touch of his lips caused me to lose all control, I mused.

As if reading my mind, he pressed his lips to mine.  The sweet innocent way he gently traced my bottom lip with the tip of his tongue sent tingles down my spine.  My heart beat rapidly in my chest, as I opened my mouth inviting him inside. Drew didn't hesitate in accepting my invitation.

The atmosphere around us grew thicker, headier with need.  His kisses turned hungrier as his hands and mouth explored my body.  My fingers curled into the hair at the nape of his neck eliciting a tiny moan from him. 

"I want you, Mickie," he breathed headily in my ear.

Hearing his words set my soul ablaze. Feeling the same for him as he did for me, there was only one answer I could give to his plea.

“Take me.  I’m yours.”

A sense of satisfaction flickered in his eyes as he laced his hands in my hair, trailing his mouth down my neck.  He then dipped his tongue into the hollow of my throat. 

He pulled back momentarily, tenderly touching my face.  In a blink of an eye, the lust in his eyes transformed.  My heart rejoiced as my mind registered the expression on his face. 

“I love you, McKenzie Evans.”

“I love you too, Andrew Wise,” I whispered.

My fingers trailed down the length of his back, his skin soft and hot to the touch.  I lifted up to meet his lips, k
issing him with fervor.  Deep seated moans reverberated from his chest as his hands cupped my face fusing our mouths together.

I wrapped my arms and legs around him urging him to take me.  He kissed my nose softly.  “Patience, my darling,” he whispered, unraveling himself from me.  Reaching over to the nightstand, where he had moved the condoms to during the night, he obtained a foil packet and prepared himself for making love to me once again.

Never in my life had I felt anything like I did when I was with him.  In his arms, I was alive; I was free.  He was everything I had ever wanted even if I hadn’t known it.   With him, my past disappeared, and my future was clear. I could see a light at the end of the long dark tunnel I had been travelling down, and the source of the light was Drew.

Meeting my lips, he took me in his arms once more.  We felt no need to rush.  Gone was the wild passion from the night before.  Instead, a slow smoldering ember burned between us pulsating liquid fire through my veins. 

"My beautiful angel," he uttered once again claiming me as his.

* * *

Warm sunlight filtered more prominently through the curtains.  The sheets, now damp from sweat, tangled around us as we lay together, breathless, in each other’s arms.  His hand moved fluidly over my arm. 

Lost in the melodic sounds of his breathing, I let my mind wander to what came next.  His eyes had told me so much during our love making.  But the real issues were still staring me right in the face.  How would I tell Olivia about Drew and me?  How would she react when she discovered my betrayal?  Did I tell her I knew about the lies?  I was sure she had to have a good reason. 

Drew must have felt my apprehension.  His head tilted, turning his face to mine. 

“What’s on your mind, beautiful?”

Everything inside was screaming to keep my mouth shut.  Why ruin the mood with talk of Olivia?  But Drew’s gentle eyes encouraged me to answer.  There was something about him that prevented me from keeping anything a secret.

“I was thinking of how I was going to tell Liv about all of this.  She’ll hate me,” I confessed.

Drew sat up in the bed raking his nails over his scalp.  His shoulders rose and fell.  There was no doubt about it, he was upset.  Without looking at me, he asked, “Do you really think I would let you face her alone?  I’m just as much a part of this as you are.  What kind of a cad do you take me for?”

I sat up behind him, wrapping my arms around his chest, resting my chin on his shoulder.  “I don’t think you’re a
cad
at all.  I just figured I’d be the one to face her.  I’m the one who betrayed her.  Not you.  You’ve been nothing but honest with her.” 

Drew turned around, kneeling in front of me.  “You’re not telling her alone, Mickie.  I’ll be there.  I might not be with her anymore, but I did fall in love with you while I was with her.  She deserves a clear explanation for that.  I owe her that much.”

My fingers lingered over his angular jaw, tenderly tracing the length of his face.  “Answer me something.”

“Anything,” he purred, bringing my wrist to his lips.

“Had I never come into your life…”  I paused, uncertain how to finish my thought without sounding like a total idiot.

“Yes?”  He moved his lips up my arm, and slowly over the crook of my elbow, making it almost impossible to think.

“Do you think you would’ve eventually fallen in love with Liv?” I blurted out.

Chagrin shadowed his face as he took in my words.  He released my hand, letting it fall limply to the bed.  The look in his eyes broke my heart. 

“No,” he rasped.  “I care for her, but as for loving her…” he stopped, searching for what to say to make me understand his true feelings for Olivia.  I caressed his cheek in my hand, peering into the gorgeous ocean of his eyes.  “No,” he repeated.

Drew kissed me ever so softly. “I regret letting things go on with her like I did.  I should’ve ended them after I nearly kissed you in the parking lot that day we had lunch together.”

I gasped, surprised at his memory of that event.  “Andy, it was I who almost kissed you.  I was so distraught over that.  I couldn’t believe how easily you forgave me for blatantly coming onto you like that.”

Drew’s head fell back in laughter.  “Mickie, I nearly kissed you.  I wanted to so bad.  God, you have no idea how badly I wanted to.”

I couldn’t believe that he blamed himself for that as much as I did.  By the time it was all said and done, we were rehashing every near miss we had. 

Eventually our laughter died down, leaving us breathless.  Drew brushed my hair back from my forehead, placing a light kiss in its stead.  “I don’t want to hide anymore.  You’re my girl,” he breathed, as his lips pressed firmly against mine.

“Does this make me your girlfriend?” I asked sheepishly against his lips.

The mere thought of him considering me his girlfriend was like Heaven to me.  Drew pulled back, his smile growing wide.  “I’d say this definitely makes you my girlfriend.”

I fell back on the bed squealing and flailing my limbs.  Drew laughed deep and boisterous, falling back with me.  “You’re mine,” I shouted, happily.

Interrupting my moment of happiness, my alarm clock started beeping in a high pitched shrill.  I reached around Drew, slapping the
off
button.

“What the Hell?” Drew growled in frustration, staring at the abomination that blinked the time at us.

“My alarm clock, silly.  It’s Monday morning, and it’s telling me to get my lazy butt out of bed.”

"Holy shit! It's Monday?"

I laughed.  “Yes, Drew.  Monday is typically the day that follows after Sunday.” 

The weekend had come to an end.  That meant Drew had to leave me.  I wringed my hands together, trying not show my disappointment.  "So, if you need to leave, I understand," I managed to choke out.

Drew reached for a lock of my hair, twirling it around his fingers.  "I have a suit at the office. I’ll change when I get to work.  I'd much rather stay here with you for awhile, if that's okay?"

With his head tilted, he sat quietly waiting for me to answer.  I peered up at him from beneath my eyelashes, grinning ear to ear.  “I'd like that.”

Drew exhaled in relief.  “Well then, what does Miss Evans do in order to get ready for a Monday?”

I ran my fingers through my matted hair.  “Well
, for starters, I need a shower.  Some hot fella took advantage of me last night and this morning, leaving me a mess.”

Drew wiggled his eyebrows.  “Some fella, huh?  I’d call him a lucky bastard.”

“As far as I know, he’s well aware as to whom his parents are, so he couldn’t be a bastard,” I retorted.  Drew’s laugh grew louder.

“Smart ass,” he teased.

“Better than being a dumb one,” I quipped, evilly.

“Very true.”  He spread his legs to their full length and pulled me between them, wrapping his arms around me.  He then rested his head on my shoulder, breathing softly against my neck.  “Would you like some company the shower?”

I turned my head just enough to see his face.  His eyes danced with playful delight.  “I’d love that, but I’m certain I’d be late for work if you joined me.”

Drew rolled his eyes dramatically.  “You could call in sick again.”

“I can’t do that,” I protested.  “I’ve already called in enough as it is.”

“You’re right.  Go take your shower,” he huffed.

Feeling guilty for rejecting him, I turned around, positioning myself in front of him on my knees.  “I’m sorry.  Please don’t be mad at me.”

He wrapped his hands around my waist.  Sincerity filled his eyes.  “I’m anything but mad at you.”

I softly touched his cheek.  “Thank you.  Now, I'll only be a minute. There's an extra toothbrush in the cabinet, and deodorant if you need it." I pointed toward bathroom.

“Go take your shower.  I’ll be fine.”

I clamored out of bed rushing to the bathroom.  In my alacrity, I stumbled over our clothes.  “Careful, baby,” he called out.  I waved him off, making my way into the bathroom.

In all my life I had never showered so fast.  I couldn’t waste a single minute.  My time with Drew was too valuable, too precious to me. 

After my shower, I wrapped myself up in my favorite terry cloth robe and sauntered into the kitchen.  The warm smells of fresh coffee brewing and pancakes immediately wafted in my face.  I stopped mid-track to see Drew standing in front of the stove, flipping pancakes.

I was stunned.  All this time, I was under the assumption he couldn’t cook, and here he was flipping pancakes like a pro.

“Who are you? And what have you done with my boyfriend?” I squeaked.

Drew shrugged.  “So, I might’ve understated my cooking abilities.  I happen to know my way around a kitchen.”

Drew waggled his finger, motioning me to him.  Unable to resist his wily charms, I wandered over to his side.  He pinched a small piece of cake from the corner of one of the plated pancakes and held it for me to take.

I wrapped my lips around the fluffy goodness moaning at the decadent flavor of raspberries and blueberries exploding in my mouth.

“That’s amazing,” I mumbled against his fingers, licking them clean.

Drew pulled his hand back and leaned down to kiss me.  “You’re amazing,” he breathed against my lips.  I couldn’t have felt happier than I did in that moment.

He turned around to open my fridge, and that’s when I saw them.  There were dark scratch marks down his back.  I gasped at the sight of what I had done to him.  His head popped up over the door, looking at me bewildered.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

I pointed at his back, still covering my mouth.  “Does it hurt?  Oh my god, I’m so sorry.”

“Does what hurt?” He glanced over his shoulder trying to see what I was talking about.