“Why’s that?” He parked the car and we got out.
“You just are. The way you do things. You’re so methodical. Detailed.”
“I like details. They’re what make the picture when it’s done. Like that one you have of the woman in the meadow.”
“It is beautiful.”
“But there’s such detail in the sunlight shining on petals and the bees lurking at the blossoms, and the shades of wheat alongside the tall grass.
“I suppose there is.”
“It’s so bright, it almost feels like you’re there.”
“If you like color so much, why only decorate in black and white.”
“It’s neater. And then I don’t have to think about what art I do and don’t like. I can just appreciate yours.” He grinned as we walked across the entry of the apartments to the elevator. Greeting Josh on the way by.
He held the doors for me, and I stepped under his arm. Rotating to put my back against the wall.
Kane was talking over his shoulder. Laughing at something Josh
With their backs turned it would be hard to tell which was which. Especially between Tim and Kane who were both the most in shape. Kane wore black. Tim wore a brown shirt. They all wore dark pants. But there the similarities ended. Allen, clearly the most outgoing, wore a bright yellow shirt with some graffiti words across the front. Erns wore a shirt the same coppery red shade as his hair, which had the darker tones Kane’s did that kept it from seeming so brassy. “Come on, Brother.” Tim urged. “I been watching the club, least you could do is show up, so dad stops talking about you like you’re the favorite.” “He is the favorite!” Allen said. Erns snorted. “I think I’m the favorite.” “You’re the only one that thinks that.” Tim said with a quirked brow. “You’re nobody’s favorite.” “My wife likes me.” Erns objected. “When she’s not in my bed.” Allen jested throwing an elbow. “I don’t think M
I was only half there the rest of the day. Deciding that I would go check on my apartment after work to make sure no one had broken in. Then I’ll go see mom. For reasons I didn’t understand, I was feeling very anxious and alone. She’ll know why. The day concluded and Porter offered me a ride. I refused it saying the walk would be good for me and I’d be back at the apartment soon. “The apartment?” He asked incredulously. I blinked at him. Nodding in confusion. “What?” “You’ve been calling it ‘home’ until today.” “I was?” I blinked rapidly. Why was I doing that? “I-I don’t know.” I shrugged him off. “I’ll walk, Porter.” “Kane.” He corrected a bit rougher than he had before. His expression dark on me as I walked away. He was off toward the apartment. I walked that direction until he was out of view before veering toward the bus stop to be taken near my apar
“I don’t know what you mean.” I shook my head. I really didn’t. “You’re really upset because it means you don’t have a safety net.” My gut dropped when she said that aloud. I gave her a bleak look. My eyes narrowing on her. “Don’t you give me that betrayed look, My Girl. I’m only trying to do what’s best for you.” Kane stepped hesitantly into the room to circle around me. “Is that real?” I blinked rapidly at her. But he’d circled around far enough to see my face. “That is what you’re worried about. What do you think would happen if we didn’t work out.” “I’ll be out on my ass.” He snorted. “Not hardly. Even Susan I let stay as long as she needed to, to find a place. My brother ended up finding one for her, to get her out. I wouldn’t just dump you out like that. I’d help you.” “You have no idea what kind of future there might be.” “I think I know you well enough, Angel to know you’re not go
“You said you needed to tell me a couple things.” I shrugged dramatically. “Like, ‘oh. Couple things to tell ya.” I turned my head to glare at him. “Not, ‘hey, suing your ex. Thought you should know…’.” “Well…” “My mother!” I shouted in frustration. “Loves you more than anything.” He finished.“A sick mother asks me to do something that seems very logical…” “Then you’re a sucker. You’ve fallen for her charm!” “Actually, I’ve fallen for her daughter’s charm. She’s just the sweet, old lady, bonus.” “You really do need a mom, don’t you?” I said dryly. “Can’t we share?” There was the hint of a teasing note in his voice as he tried to lighten the situation. “No more secrets.” I lifted a commanding finger. “No more hiding things.” The idea of him and mother sitting there discussing my bad choices in life was mortifying. He nodded. “Understood.” “Then, I suppose, I could share.”
Him saying that was like a punch to the gut. He was asking me if I wanted to stay with him or not. I’d never expected that from him. What do I say to that? He seemed to have a knack for knowing just what to say to knock me off-balance. I shifted in my seat. He parked the car in the dark parking garage and turned to look at me. “It’s going to come down to this, Angel: You’re going to have to make a choice. Do you want to see where things could go if we deepen them, or do you want out?” “If you want out, you don’t need that shitty apartment with the landlord that escaped the Bates Motel.” I glowered at him. “He’s not that bad.” He could be. He is a jerk. He could be a pervert. Kane was blinking at me slowly. “I would help you find another place. Set you up if you want.” “And what would be the cost for that, Sugar Daddy?” I snapped acidly. He blinked at me even mor
Kane was a peaceful person. Despite all the city chaos and all the people rushing to work, then to their gyms, then home, he was a cool flowing water. Moving through them with practiced ease. Unbothered by their bustle. Unbothered by rain or heat. Just continuing forward and calming those that crossed paths with him. At least that was the effect he had on me. Everything I’d learned that from watching him over time. But it had only really set in tonight. I’d leaned against the counter, sipping a wine cooler he’d offered me and watching him move around. The only sound in the kitchen was the sizzle of steaks in a pan and the swish of his pants as he stepped over to the cutting board. He moved with a relaxed glide that made him seem always comfortable. When people wanted to fight, though he was certainly up to the occasion, he chose to be silent and sit back and watch. There was much wisdom in how he did things.
I watched what he was doing. Remarking on it. “It was full.” The clip was already loaded until he’d taken a round out only to replace it with another one that looked exactly the same to me. He nodded. “So, why do that?” “Rounds get scratched over time and could cause a misfire. Changing them every so option is just one of the ways of ensuring you have a good round ready when you need it.” I nodded. Not really having any idea what he said but willing to sit on the edge of the bed and watch him, nonetheless. There was something very sexy about the nimble way his hands moved over the firearm and the confidence he had when seating it in the holster along his leg. I doubted I could ever be that confident in anything. “What are you thinking?” He said as he pulled his dark coat out of the closet and shrugged into it. “How sexy you look when you’re getting ready to go be a badass.” I admitted. Pulling one knee up to res
I was quiet so long that he felt the need to explain further. “They will, without fail, do something to embarrass me.” “You’re worried about them being embarrassing?” I asked, a bit astonished. He gave me a quizzical look. “Of course. They’re brothers. What did you think I meant?” I shrugged. Staring out the window. Not wanting to admit that I was so self-conscious. But I was incredibly relieved. Not me. Them. He was worried about what I’d think of them. And him after they were done slandering his reputation. “Don’t believe a word they say.” I was kind of excited to hear it. Whatever they’d tell me. All of it. I felt like, despite all that was between us, and had been, that I still knew so little about him. They’ll tell me. I was hopeful. I shot him furtive looks. “What?” He asked. “I can literally feel your excitement.” “I’m ju
“Well,” Nita slapped my desk. “My work is done.” She stood and rounded on Kane. “This one is going to cost you.” She pointed at him. He smiled fondly at her. “Slow barbecued ribs, I remember. Long as you make some of that potato salad.” She slapped his shoulder when she was next to him. “Of course.” She stretched sideways to give his cheek a light peck as though he were a brother before smoothly exiting the office. “She’s a pitbull.” I shook my head in wonder. “You should’ve seen her in the courtroom.” Kane shook his head in disbelief. Settling his suit jacket over his chest. “It was so brutal, I was uncomfortable for Logan.” “Well, I’m glad someone was. Because he certainly wasn’t.” He nodded grudgingly at that. “Well, he’ll have plenty of time to think about it, with his wages cut and sitting at home, trying to find other ways to access beautiful, capable, women.” He walked over to stand befor
I was standing next to my desk, not wanting to be sitting when Logan came in. I didn’t want him to catch me off-guard. I was as prepared as I could be for the awful confrontation. But Logan never came. Instead, I saw the legal team carrying boxes, escorting him down the hall like a flock of busy blackbirds. Chirping different things while he talked to them in a clipped, annoyed tone. With boxes? I watched them. Turning my head to follow their progress past the glass walls of my office. It was only a few minutes after that, while I was still standing there bemusedly, that Kane entered the office in his fine suit. But his mouth was tight and he looked a bit saddened. Nita’s face was unreadable. At least for me. I don’t know her well enough yet. “What happened?” I asked quickly. Afraid to move. Afraid something bad was going to happen. Kane stopped just inside the office. B
His warm weight was along my back. His legs molding my legs as he slid his erection along the crack of my ass. Stroking himself in the warm crease. Getting harder by the second. He swept one arm beneath my ribs to lift me slightly. The other was along the front of my chest, just below my neck. Holding me where I was while he kissed my ears and cheek. When he lowered enough to straighten his cock and slide it into my entrance it was that warm, stretching relief. The feeling of satiation that only he could offer. My body superheated. And he stroked into me. Holding me to him as though he intended to never let me go. Eventually his hands molded along my biceps so he could lean up. Holding me there while he angled in more deeply. “Ahh.” I cried in surprise, feeling the sudden depth of him touching me more deeply. He rolled his hips forward, testing his length in my channel. Finding the objecting barr
“You don’t have to go, you know?” “I do.” Kane said flatly. I said nothing. Unsure what to say. “It is absolutely about protecting you.” He read my thoughts. “But it’s more than that.” I waited. Intrigued. “The way he treats people in this office is deplorable. Threatening, groping, demeaning. Now woman deserves that.” For the first time, it dawned on me that he was right. I’m not the only one he sexually harassed. It was how Logan had often coaxed women to his bed. But not every woman in the Chase and Walker departments was a whore. So, how many could he have tried to bully into his bed. My eyes widened and my stomach got a little sick. Perhaps, I was to blame for that. My silence, for fear of Logan kicking me out of the company, might’ve exposed other woman to Logan’s shit treatment. Kane was reading my features. Something he was getting rather good at. “Don’t you dare
“To think, I once thought you…Safe.” I said ruefully. Safe…I was shaking my head at myself. How many times had I thought how silly that word was, in application to him? He lifted his head in surprise. “I am safe.” I searched his face. Sensing the severity in his meaning. “For you.” He vowed. “I will never hurt you, Angel. If you stay by my side, I’ll give you everything.” I nodded. Sensing the deep sincerity. As if he was now offering me everything he’d yearned to give me back then. “You were enough then too, Kane. You know that?” It was something that really needed saying. His brow furrowed. As if in doubt. I felt the immediate need to reassure him. As he would me. “When you were, K.P.” I explained. “You were enough. I was just too young and dumb to see it.” He laughed and dropped sideways over me. “Isn’t that the story of everyone’s life?”
I licked my lips but found this even harder to admit. He leaned over me, pushing that finger in further as he began to move it with his hips, simulating what he’d soon be doing to me. Now he could whisper into the shell of my ear. “All tied up and whimpering. Unable to stop me while I take you…” My back jerked upward and I nearly came, but he pulled that finger away. Making me growl in frustration and writhe furiously. But before the sound had even reached completion, he’d replaced that finger with his long pulsing member. Which was starving to intrude into my tight channel. Pulling my walls apart as it delved into my very center. Reminding me how powerful he was in this moment. How easy it would be for him to hurt me if he stretched just a little too far. He’s long enough to do it. He could destroy me. Hurt me irreparably. He could scratch me, bite me. Things I’d always feared Logan might try to do, every tim
I almost couldn’t believe I’d admitted out loud. That I want to belong to him. I could imagine life with Kane being just what he’d shown me so far. Pleasant evenings in his blue jeans making dinner together, drinking sweet wines, going for drives in his fancy blue spider that smelled of leather and his woodsy cologne, even him going off to do what was needed at the Red Tar while I waited eagerly for him to return. Keeping his bed warm. Then waking to blearily watch him pull on his shorts to go for his run. Then falling back asleep until my alarm blared. Then rising and going to the kitchen to get my thermos, already full and warm and steaming with the fresh brew, he made me every morning. Walking into that office and seeing his handsome features across from me. Knowing he’s mine. And I’m his. That was getting me wet. All of it. I swallowed the lump in my throat. Watching his f
My wrists strained at the bit of Velcro and buckles, wanting so badly to touch him. I was finding it incredibly hard to track all he was saying. “Wh-what do y-you want, Kane?” “You. No resistance, no distance. You. Bare, vulnerable.” He caught my breast and squeezed its shape in a sensual motion as he finished. “Mine.” He was watching my face intently. Parting his lips as I parted mine. Watching each nuance of my expression. His lips nearly against mine as I writhed and tipped my head back. Trying to escape the intensity of the situation in tiny increments. Both aroused and resistant to being so exposed. “Stop.” I laughed. He growled hungrily and dipped his head to kiss me. A deep, probing kiss. While he moved his finger in slow circles inside me. I moaned uninhibitedly and he swallowed the sound. Twirling my tongue, with his. A reflection of the motion his finger was doing. Stretching me and warming me. Making me moister by the minute as I ye
I caught the stool and turned it. Pointing his knees at me. I swept my hair back into a ponytail and began lowering before him. He set the fork down and turned slightly to offer me more. His eyes riveted on me. His lips parted and I looked up, observing his face as I wrapped my lips around the knobbed tip of him. Letting my soft lips glide over the tip and take him fully into my cheek. Tucking my teeth and rubbing along the side of him with my tongue. He gave a long groan of pleasure. “Holy shit.” “You like that?” I lifted my head to whisper. “I fucking love it. More.” He caught my head and guided me back down to him. I obediently put my mouth back on him. Drawing him in further, until I felt him just brushing the back of my throat. The chair creaked as his ass flexed. Straining to push him deeper into me. “It’s so hot.” He panted in objection to the raging temperature combining with what I was doing to him. I c