Running From Forever (15 page)

“I’ll be right back,” he whispered before
turning to meet Connie beside the stage.

I smiled in his mother’s direction when I
overheard her joyfully say to the other woman, “Isn’t it a sight to
see?”

She had no clue the extent of that statement. It
was quite a sight to see for both of us. The Kayla Reynolds that
most people knew wouldn’t be behaving in this dignified manner. She
wouldn’t be twinkletoeing around on a dance floor accompanied by a
rich executive whom she fell in love with in less than a week. No,
most people would call bullshit on that whole scenario, but it was
true, and apparently it was out of character for Miles, too. I
hadn’t had time yet to find out why, but I’m sure I would. Miles
and I had a future, I was sure of it. We complimented each other
nicely and I knew it was only up from there.

The sound of Miles’ voice broke my thought
process, bringing my eyes to the front of the room where he and
Connie stood center stage where their father did earlier.

“Connie and I would like to thank you all for
coming tonight. It was just brought to our attention between the
silent auction and your generous donations, we were able to raise
over three million dollars.”

My mouth dropped, hearing his announcement.
Three million dollars? I remembered when our sorority raised over a
thousand dollars for the local Ronald McDonald House; we thought
that was amazing. This event raised over three million in one
night! It was incredible, but also leveling. I was in a whole new
world, on a whole new level, playing on a whole new baseball
field.

He then continued to touch base on other topics
pertaining to ETV and the organization. Connie didn’t speak. She
only stood there, faking a smile when necessary and letting out a
sugar-coated chuckle when suitable. Connie was the epitome of an
executive robot—all business all the time. She was the person I
originally pictured myself becoming when I moved to the city, but
I’m so glad it didn’t turn out that way. Yes, I wanted the business
look—the attire, the status, and the respectability of it all, but
I couldn’t be that stiff, that tailored. That lonely. I wanted to
have my cake and eat it too. I wanted the whole package deal,
exactly what Miles was. He was proper, respected, and
authoritative, but also had a fun-loving feel. I wondered how he
and Connie could be so different being raised under the same roof.
They were nothing alike. At least not in my eyes.

It was after midnight when we said our
goodbyes to everyone and made our way out to the awaiting limo. The
cameras were less invasive, only a few had camped outside for the
duration of the event, and the same limousine driver stood at the
end of the red carpet, holding the door open for us. I wondered if
he’d been waiting out there the whole time. Obviously not standing
with the door open, but was he sitting out there, by himself, for
the entire five hours that we were inside?

“Thank you, Malcolm,” Miles said before entering
the limo behind me. Malcolm didn’t answer, just nodded his head in
acknowledgement. “Shall we have a toast?” Miles asked once we were
settled inside, reaching for the chilled champagne and two flutes
sitting next to it.

I looked at him, puzzled. “What’s the
celebration?”

“To a successful event.” He popped the cork,
making me jump. “Our first together!” He began to pour some in each
glass. “And to confessions,” he murmured to himself, handing me my
glass and moving in closely.

His proximity made my heart rate increase and a
heat of passion cover my skin. “Cheers.” I smiled, raising my glass
and clinking it with his before taking a sip.

With one gulp, Miles finished his, placing it
back on the ledge before turning and taking mine, a devious smirk
replacing the soft smile he had just moments before. Before I could
even see what he was doing, he lifted me off my seat in one swift
movement, sitting me back down on his lap, allowing my legs to
drape off the side of his and my arms to wrap around his neck.

“Thank you for accompanying me this evening, Ms.
Reynolds,” he began in a husky, seductive tone, his face only
inches from mine. “You made this event like no other I’ve
attended,” Miles continued, his words tickling my lips.

Everything in my body was coming to life. With
my lips growing dry, I ran my tongue slowly along them, moistening
them before answering, “The pleasure is all mine, Mr.
Blackwell.”

Miles moved in closer, his mouth nearly touching
mine. “Mmm,” he moaned against them. “I like how that sounds coming
from those beautiful lips,” he purred, nipping at my bottom lip. It
was sexy, heated, and got the attention of an area down below.

“What else do you like coming from these lips?”
I asked, kissing him in between my words.

“Mmm, definitely that,” he agreed, kissed me
again. “And your love,” he continued, moving his mouth to the side
of my face. “I love hearing it from those lips,” he moved down to
my neck, “and pressed against my skin.” He traveled down to my
chest, making my breath catch when his hand pushed up under my
breast, cupping it firmly. “I love the way they feel when they run
along it.”

There was no questioning the way Miles had with
words. Even though I enjoyed his mouth and hands caressing my body,
they wouldn’t be necessary to turn every ounce of me on. It was his
words that made me wild. I wouldn’t be surprised if he made me come
in my panties with his words alone. The tone in which he spoke and
the perfect amount of warm air that escaped his mouth when he did
was intoxicating and addictive; so much so that my mind blanked
out, not allowing me to distinguish any more coming from his mouth.
My body was spiraling out of control, trembling with each pass he
made over my skin and with each time his thumb grazed my nipple,
which was already erect, standing firm and peeking through my
dress. Yes, Miles Blackwell had a way with words and knew just how
well to use them, especially in company with his hands. I was ready
to explode only seconds into our foreplay.

The limousine came to a stop, alerting us of our
arrival and making me curse internally that I lived so close to
Gotham Hall. I wasn’t ready to leave; I wanted to continue down the
road we were heading. I needed relief…loads and loads of passionate
relief.

I could feel Miles grin against my chest, just
above the top of my dress. My loss of control beneath his touch was
apparently entertaining. Just before Malcolm opened the door, Miles
lifted his head, the devious smile from just moments ago back.

“Well, Ms. Reynolds,” he began with his eyebrow
raised, “are you going to invite me in?”

I didn’t need to think; I knew my answer before
he even finished his question. “Yes, Mr. Blackwell. It would be
my great pleasure
if you could accompany me up to my
apartment.”

A low chuckle reverberated from deep within him
before biting his lower lip with an amused smile. “Yes, indeed.” He
ran his nose slowly along my cheek. “It
would
be of great
pleasure, Ms. Reynolds.”

That was it. I couldn’t handle it one moment
longer. I needed him inside, and not just my apartment. My body
ached for his, needing to feel his naked body pressed against mine,
moving delicately, delectably, rhythmically up and down the length
of it. I craved every inch of his being.

I allowed Malcolm to take my hand, helping me
off of Miles’ lap and out onto the sidewalk. Miles followed,
letting Malcolm know that he didn’t have to wait for him.
I
guess he did wait outside everywhere for Miles. What a boring
job!

With Miles’ hand on my lower back, we walked
confidently to the entrance of my building, trying our best to keep
our raging hormones in check at least until we reached the
elevator.

As soon as the metal doors closed, Miles turned,
boxing me into the corner. Immediately my breathing went heavy, the
rise and fall of my chest evident as my breasts strained against
the fabric of my dress. His forehead rested against mine, his
erection pressed against my lower belly.

“I need to have you, baby,” he practically
growled against my lips. “As soon as we step foot inside your
place, I need you beneath me.”

I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t move. I was frozen
against the cool mirrored walls. The only feeling that I could
distinguish was the throbbing between my legs. All I could do was
nod my head. There would be no resistance on my end. I wanted him
just as much as he wanted me. The sexual tension building between
us was almost unbearable. It was unmistakable; we were both ready
to explode.

Once the elevator steadied, Miles backed away,
standing beside me just as any two people waiting in an elevator
would. He grabbed my hand, ready to exit, and he didn’t skip a beat
once they did, walking briskly and with purpose towards my door. I
couldn’t get my keys out of purse quick enough, and practically
fell inside when I finally turned the knob.

Miles’ hands were on my hips as soon as we
stepped foot inside, holding my back firmly to his chest, his mouth
finding my neck immediately. My left hand lifted to cup the back of
his head, but it never made it, his mouth separated from my body.
We weren’t alone. We had company.

***

I screamed at the sight
of a male’s head lifting from the pull out couch. I’d forgotten
about my sister and so did Miles. But that’s not what startled me;
it was the recognition of that male that made all the blood from my
body drain at once. It was the person I saw now sitting up,
exposing my naked sister below him.

“Trevor?” I questioned, not believing what my
eyes were seeing.

The smirk on his face was devious and full of
revenge.
Bastard
! This wasn’t the man I’d known and loved
for the past three and half years. The person before me was
spiteful and ugly with his anger.

“Hello, Kayla.” He smiled like I caught him
exactly how he wanted me to.

I was sure I was going to be sick; I felt a knot
of bile rising up my throat.
This wasn’t happening to me.
I
had to be dreaming…having the worst nightmare imaginable.

“You could have knocked first. You
do
have a roommate, or didn’t you care?” He tilted his head to the
side, his expression turning angry. He looked back and forth
between Miles and I. “You only had one thing on your mind, didn’t
you? You’re the same slutty bitch you’ve always been…”

“Watch your tone,” Miles interjected, stepping
out from behind me.

“Go fuck yourself, Blackwell!” Trevor shouted,
standing from the couch, not even worrying about my sister naked
and frozen on the bed or the fact that he was free for all to see.
“We had a fuckin’ deal. You owed me, asshole!”

The world around me began to spin. What was
Trevor saying? I looked up at Miles, lost. His expression was
remorseful, even apologetic.
No. No. No. This wasn’t
happening.

“Please baby, let me explain…”

I could faintly hear Miles calling out to me as
I began stepping backwards. I couldn’t hear it. I couldn’t hear
anything. I needed to get out of there. I needed to get away.

I needed to run.

***