Broken & Burned (11 page)

I drank some of my beer and decided two could play at this game. She started washing some vegetables at the sink and I crept up behind her, right behind her. She was smiling this secret little victorious smile and I couldn’t resist fucking with her. I pulled her back by her hips roughly against my body and she gave out a surprised little yip that turned into this sultry moan. I slid a hand down the front of her body and let it dip below the waistband of her boxer shorts.

Oh God yeah. She kept her pussy smooth, shaved, just the way I liked it! The little game we were playing momentarily tipped in her favor until I could get a grip. Her breath caught and she closed her eyes, shuddering against me. I dipped a finger into her folds and teased at her clit for a moment before plunging my index finger up inside her.

God she was wet. Her silky heat inviting and tight, oh I’d have her writhing beneath me all right. Someday, some night… all night. For now, I wanted to indulge myself a little. I pulled my hand from her shorts and backed up abruptly. She stumbled, catching herself at the edge of the sink and turned around, her eyes dilated with arousal. She watched, aching, wanting as I brought my fingers to my lips and sucked her essence off of them. She tasted like fresh rain and springtime. I smiled slowly, and I know it was a little cruel but she had asked for it.

“I like my dessert first.” I said in my low sexy growl and relished that it had the desired effect. Her jaw dropped open and I winked at her. She stood dumbfounded, her pink lips slightly pouty when I picked up my beer and took myself beyond the dining room into the living room. I needed space. I needed distance and I needed it now or I was going to fuck her on my kitchen counter.

That
thought had me nearly doing an about face. I flopped onto the couch in a way I hoped was nonchalant and picked up the remote. I flipped on the TV and surfed the channels without really paying attention to what was on. I could see her staring at me out of the corner of my eye but I couldn’t tell you what expression she wore. Slowly she turned back to the sink and with shaking hands continued her task. I smiled and when I was sure she couldn’t or wouldn’t see looked over. She looked shell shocked and in all the right ways. Her damp hair laying in tangled ropes over her shoulders and back, a slight smile played on her lips and I smiled. For a second I’d been afraid I’d pushed too much.

She handed me a plate an hour later and curled herself up on the couch next to me. The news was coming on and we watched. The food was out of this world. More of that bread she’d made the last time and some kind of casserole that was mostly rice and chicken with vegetables in a white garlic sauce.

“Damn girl you can cook.” I said and she smiled, glowing from the praise. We ate and set the dishes aside on the coffee table for the time being. I turned and pulled her against me so we were both lounging on the couch lengthwise. She sucked in a sharp breath and let it out slowly, melting against me and I loved it. Pretty soon her soft even breathing let me know she was asleep.

“Everett?” I asked softly. No response. I sighed. I wasn’t really surprised, she’d had a long and emotional day. Sleep probably really was the best thing for her. I watched some more TV and was loathe to wake her, but I did it anyway. I nudged her gently until she started and sucked in a great breath. She yawned and stretched.

“What time is it?” she asked, voice husky with sleep.

“A little after eight, time for you to get to bed Princess.” She pouted and I knew what would put a smile on both hers and my face.

“Come on let me up.” I said and she slowly moved to comply. I got up with her and asked her where her phone was.

“Plugged in, in your bedroom why?” she asked.

“Isn’t it your alarm clock?” I asked in return.

“Oh, yeah…” I smiled and walked her into my room, propelling her gently in front of me by the shoulders. I lifted the blankets and she got under and I’m pretty sure she expected me to tuck her in and leave her. Not happening. I got in with her and pulled her against me and let out a contented sigh.

“This is nice.” She said sleepily against my chest, her head resting on my shoulder. I had her tucked tightly up against me, my other hand behind my head; the fingertips of the arm around her idly tracing patterns on her bare shoulder.

“Yeah it is.” I agreed.

“G’night Dray.” She murmured and I smiled.

“Sleep tight Everett.” I murmured back, and she did. Me, though, not so much. I lay awake staring at the ceiling for far too long, a dull deep ache settling into my balls. She had that kind of effect on me. I smiled a little ruefully. I guess she won our little game by default. I closed my eyes but sleep was still a long time coming.

Everett…

Waking up in the middle of the night pressed against Dray was a delicious treat. Cuddling up close and having him actually put his arms around me in his sleep rather than shoving me away like Jerry would was a-freaking-mazing. The alarm shrieking at us and dispelling our peaceful cuddle calm was frustrating to say the least. I groaned and it was echoed by one of Dray’s.

“This getting up before the ass crack of dawn is total bullshit.” He said. I instantly felt bad.

“I know, I’m sorry.” My voice was mournful. He rolled, pinning me roughly beneath him. I gasped and his burning dark gaze trapped my own like a butterfly in a killing jar¸ intense and leaving me powerless beneath it.

“You’re worth it Everett.” He said, his warm breath skating over my lips, a promise of things to come. I expected him to kiss me. I wanted him to kiss me but his weight lifted from me and I blinked at his retreating back as he went out the bedroom door and shut himself in the bathroom. The shower started a moment later.

Holy crap. What was that?

I got up and dressed quickly and quietly and went out to make sure my bag was packed with my laptop and the texts I would need for class that day. I was vaguely aware of the shower shutting off and of the bathroom door opening but I just naturally assumed he would go in the bedroom and dress not that he would come up behind me and pull me back against his body or that his teeth would find purchase in the side of my throat as he bit me gently, his tongue laving at the pulse point in the side of my neck. I gasped my muscles turning into liquid at his attentions. Icy water dripped from the ends of his slick black hair and trickled along my collarbone.

“Jesus!” I cried, as much for the contrasting sensation of his hot mouth and the cold water than for the shock of the cold itself.

“See what you do to me?” he asked, voice low and intense. “I don’t like cold showers Em.” He spoke against that place where my neck met my shoulder and I swallowed convulsively.

“I can’t imagine anyone does.” I said, voice light and breathy with a combination of lust and anticipation.

“Pick you up from work and we’re gonna have to figure some things out.” He said.

“It’s Wednesday. I have class.” I reminded him.

“Fuck!” he swore low and vehement.  I swallowed convulsively. I wasn’t afraid, just extremely turned on. I knew I was wet I could feel it. Being near Dray was turning into a near constant state of arousal.

“Okay. I’ll pick you up and take you to your school. I need to put in some extra hours at the garage to make up for Monday and Tuesday. What time your classes through?” he asked stepping back and away. I sucked in a deep breath and tried to get my body to simmer down.

“Six.” I answered carefully but my voice shook anyways. I didn’t dare turn around and look at him until he was dressed. I could hear the smile in his voice when he called back from the bedroom.

“Pick you up then and I’m taking you to dinner, we’ll talk then.” He came back out of the bedroom pulling a black Henley over his head. His legs encased in fresh black denim that clung to the muscles in his thighs and highlighted his gorgeous and perfect ass. I tried very, very hard not to picture the feel of my palms against that ass, nails digging… He laughed and I startled.

“Good to know it’s not just me.” He said and shook his head.

I went in the bathroom and brushed my hair, when I came out Dray had half of his damp hair up with a tie. Too short for a pony tail but it looked really good with half of it up just the same. Who was I kidding?
He
looked really damn good just… period.

“What were you thinking about?”

“Please don’t make me say it.” I said the heat of humiliation warming my cheeks.

“Oh Em, if it gets you to blush like that I just have to know. Spill it.” he crossed his arms and watching the muscles in his forearms flex with the motion sent heat to places much lower than my face. I decided for honesty because once again, it had never served me wrong.

“I was picturing my hands gripping your ass.” I said and swallowed hard. He grinned.

“Oh yeah. Definitely not just me but don’t say anymore. Come on I’ll take you to work.” He held out his hand. I shouldered the backpack and took his hand and followed him out. His skin was still cool from his cold shower but warmed quickly where it met my own. He opened the door for me and I slid into the cold car. He shut it behind me and rounded the front end, sliding in beside me. He turned on the car and I groaned and hung my head as cold air blew from the vents.

“What?” he asked.

“I want to be back in bed, with you.” I sighed.

“Amen.” He said and pulled the seatbelt across my body and fastened it before doing his own. I looked at him. He smiled and drove me to work. I slogged through making other people coffee like a zombie even after having two cups of my own.  Brandy, my fellow barista crossed her arms and cocked her head.

“That is the second order for one of our regulars you’ve gotten wrong this morning.” She complained, tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder. I sighed. I knew she wasn’t being altruistic, the only thing Brandy worried about was herself and by default the tip jar and her size of the cut that came from it. All morning long she complained about the hot biker from the day before and wondered aloud what I had that she didn’t? Uh, let me think about that… how about
class.
I ground my teeth.

“I just have a lot on my mind.” I muttered and set about cleaning while we had a short lull in business.

“Well knock it off! You keep it up our tips are going to start to seriously suck and
I’m
not about to suffer for whatever you’ve got going on inside your head.” She savagely wiped down the counter by her machine and I kept my cool.

I didn’t want to know what her deal was. I didn’t care. I just wanted to earn my paycheck from this place and go home. I was pretty sure Brandy was shorting me on my fair share of the tips and had been for a while. Every time she counted the tip jar it was a miserable day, but every time I managed to beat her to it or another girl was here in her place we always seemed to make out like bandits.

I sighed inwardly and decided that if she wanted to be a bitch then I would go the passive aggressive route and just make sure I was the one to count the tips today. I was all out of diplomacy, Irish or otherwise, so I simply kept my mouth shut. It was safer than letting my temper get the best of me. I needed to keep this job and for some undefinable reason Brandy was our boss’ favorite.

I kept at it and successfully managed to make no more mistakes
and
count the tips at the end of the day. I handed Brandy her cut and she frowned but took it. I turned back to mine, organized it, folded it in half and put it in my back pocket. She was getting greedy and this count out showed it. We had only been moderately busy and my tips averaged out almost fifty dollars higher than any of the days earlier in the week. I pursed my lips and dropped the bag with my till money in it into the safe under the counter through the heavy old-fashioned mail slot door.

“See you tomorrow.” I said and shouldered my bag.

“Yeah, whatever.” She sulked, counting her tip money and I felt a tiny surge of anger. It felt like entirely too many people were cheating me lately. First Jerry, now Brandy… I went out the door and strode across the parking lot. Dray got out of his Trans-Am and leaned on his door.

“What’s the matter?” he asked when I was just inside ear shot.

“Is it that obvious?” I asked.

“Yep.” He said succinctly. I sighed. Damn. It.

“Hey, no, what’s this?” he asked. He backed off his door and shut it and pulled me in against his chest.

“I’m just so tired.” I sobbed and it was true. I was tired of being screwed over, I was tired of working my ass off only to be broke, I was tired of stressing and wondering and worrying about what the hell I was doing with Dray so soon after Jerry’s betrayal and I just wanted a break from my
life
. I clung to Dray’s leather clad torso and he held me tight. I breathed in leather and machinery and under that the crisp scent of Dray’s cologne and wiped at my eyes. I tried to get it together and gave a shuddering sigh.

“I need a vacation.” I said weakly and Dray laughed.

“You ain’t lyin’ Em.” He said and drew back to get a good look at me.

“I’m sorry.” I said miserably.

“Don’t be. Your life is a little upside down at the moment. We’ve all been there. Just know I’m here to help get you through your low and I’d really like to see getting’ you to one of your highs.” He winked and I laughed at the double entendre. He leaned down and kissed me gently and I returned it but we didn’t linger. I had to get to class. I got into the car and he started for the college.

“Can we stop at Renaissance?” I asked he gave me a sideways look.

“You just left your coffee stand. Why do you want to stop at a coffee shop?” he asked. I rolled my eyes.

“Renaissance Café is
real
coffee. The shit Eddie buys is bargain basement cheap ass blend that tastes like it. I need
real
coffee if I’m going to get through class.” He raised his eyebrows, a slight smile playing across his lips. I pulled down the visor and checked my makeup in the vanity mirror, relieved that it was only slightly blurry around the edges of my eyes and not tracking down my face. I blotted fresh powder onto my T-zone to take off the shine and repaired my eyeliner.

“Let me ask you something.” He said gently and I looked at him.

“Of course, anything.” I said.

“Will stopping to get you
real
coffee make you smile?” he asked. I smiled.

“Yes.”

He pulled into the café’s lot and I got out. I leaned into the car and gave him a smile, he’d more than earned it.

“I’ll be right back.” I promised and jogged inside. I ordered and thrust the three drinks into one of those cardboard cup holder thingies and went back out handing him one.

“You look like you could use it.” I said honestly and it was true. Dray was looking a little haggard. Dark circles were beginning to form like bruises beneath his dark eyes and he looked like he was in sore need of a nap.

“Yeah thanks.” He sipped from the plastic lid and blinked.

“Good huh?” I asked.

“Yeah,” he sniffed, “That’ll wake you up.” I smiled.

I’d ordered him a Robusta blend. Robusta beans contain more caffeine than the Arabica beans most Americans are used to. By like almost two-hundred percent. The coffee’s flavor ended up being more robust and earthy and also a little more bitter than that derived from an Arabica bean but the caffeine jolt when you were sorely in need of it more than made up for the darker, richer taste. I’d added heavy cream and a little bit of sugar to try and thwart some of the bitterness and it seems to have done the trick. I figured he wouldn’t want it straight black if he was more a fan of sugary energy drinks like most of our generation seemed to be. 

“You need two?” he asked eyebrow raised as he backed us out of the parking stall.

“No one is for my girl Mandy. We have class together on Wednesdays.” I took a drink of my coffee, usually I got a vanilla latte which was sugary and sweet but I needed the caffeine if I was going to make it through Mr. Warren’s dry as hell lecture style in mathematics. Mandy’s usual double white mocha looked a little forlorn as the lone soldier standing in the cardboard cup holder. Dray drank his coffee and drove and when he pulled up to the curb in front of the college he turned in his seat to look at me.

“Dinner and I think we’re both going to bed early.” He commented dryly. I nodded.

“Sounds good.” I said quietly.

“Any idea what you have a taste for?” he asked.

“Where ever and whatever is fine.” I said. He searched my face.

“Be here at six.” He said and I nodded.

I got out of the car, slid my coffee into the holder kitty corner to Mandy’s and shouldered my bag.

“You need anything text me or call me, I’ll be at the garage.” He called.

“Okay.” I nodded.

“Hey Dray.”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks.”

“Yeah.” He gave me a once over that made my blood sing and I shut the door. Once I was safely up on the curb he pulled away. I sighed and went to my classroom and set the coffee down on Mandy’s desk in front of her. She set down her notes.

“The Lord bless you and keep you.” She said and made the sign of the cross with the blade of her hand. I rolled my eyes and slung Dray’s back pack onto the desk next to hers.

Mandy was everything that you expected an Irish girl to look like without actually
being
Irish. She had a wealth of red hair in coarse tight corkscrew curls that erupted from her head in a fiery riot of color that hung past her shoulders. Her eyes were a bright green with a starburst of golden brown around her pupil that made the green that much greener. Her milky skin was scattered with a generous helping of light brown freckles that almost gave her a mottled appearance but unlike most red heads who abhorred their freckles she loved hers and rocked them.

“That’s my line as the raised Catholic, all though as a Preacher’s daughter, I suppose you can get away with it.” I complained. She snorted.

Today she wore golden brown leggings that ended in a pair of brown ankle boots under an over long thick cable knit cream sweater. She’d pulled on a denim jacket over the sweater and looked as pulled together as a girl could get.

“So why haven’t you been answering your phone?” she asked. I heaved an even greater sigh and slid into my seat.

“I caught Jerry cheating last week.” I said.

“No!” she gasped.

“Yep. It was the worst day ever. Late to work, ass chewed by Eddie, burned my hand, car broke down, left stranded at the mechanic because Jerry was in our apartment, on our couch fucking some ho bag stripper
without
a condom.” I shuddered in revulsion.

“That son of a bitch!” She looked around self-consciously to make sure no one had heard her and I smirked. “Wait. If you were stranded at the mechanic then how do you know…” she stopped and looked up from my face frowning at something behind me.