Chapter 6
Samara
He’s incredibly lucky to have love like he has everywhere around him, it’s something most people crave. He has people everywhere, even his friends and family.
I have Raven, and that’s about it. I sometimes think that’s my own fault by shutting so many people out so no one can get too close to me because all I do is for Raven. I want her to have all the things I couldn’t have, that my parents never dreamed of for me. She needs that and should have that. It’s not her fault we were born to people who probably shouldn’t have had kids. Despite everything, I still love my father. Even if he was only there on certain days, and even if he was drunk most of the time, I still miss him.
“I need to stop here,” Anton says, pulling up to the local fruit shop. He slides out then walks to my side, opening the door, waiting for me to get out. It's then I realize how much quieter he’s been.
“You don’t have to be quiet for me,” I say to him, walking beside him into the store.
Anton smirks and shakes his head. “You may wish you hadn’t said that.” He walks to the back of the store and grabs a large tray of assorted fruits then starts for the register. He places them down then turns to me. “Kiss me.”
I shake my head, looking around.
He clucks his tongue at me. “If you don’t kiss me right now I will scream.”
I laugh lightly and roll my eyes turning back to the front.
Then he screams. Literally he lets out an almighty screech, and I almost combust on the spot from embarrassment.
Turning back to him fast, he points to his lips, and I instantly stand up on my toes and touch my lips to his.
He shuts up immediately.
Then he takes over the kiss, kissing me with tongue, passion, and not a care in the world considering people are now staring. We hear someone cough. I manage to pull away, breaking our kiss while his hands are still on my waist. Anton looks down then turns to the older lady who’s watching us, as she starts scanning the items. Anton picks up the cucumber and looks to me.
“This one is for eating this time, okay?”
My face goes bright red, and my hand covers my mouth.
The lady gasps as she scans the items, and Anton just smirks as he places it back down. My head drops and I try to think of all the ways I’m about to kill him. Then when we leave, I laugh, laugh out loud.
What the fuck just happened?
“I like that.”
I shake my head, my laugh dying. “Don’t ever do that again.” My stare pins him.
“I’ll think about it.” He smirks opening my door.
“For a real ass, you sure as shit are a gentleman.”
And then he ruins it. “It’s just so I can fuck you again. Plus, I get to stare at that ass.” His eyes drop to my ass as I climb in.
“I want to junk punch you right now, just so you know.” Turning to look at him, he smirks, then his hand goes to his junk and he cups it while puckering up his lips.
“As long as your mouth comes near it, I’m down for some kinky fucking.” Then he shuts the door, leaving me sitting in his car wondering how the fuck he hasn’t been knocked out yet. Seriously. His mouth should have at least gotten him stabbed by now. Or maybe it has.
As he drives, the smile does not leave his face. The smirk sits there cockily like a badge of honor or something.
I don’t understand him.
He talks too much.
But can fuck like no other.
And despite it all, I would definitely see him again.
Because he makes me want… more.
Not from him, but from this life.
“Where are you working?”
“The Club,” I lie. Turning, I pull the handle, opening the door, avoiding the question. “Thank you.”
“For what? The sex?” he asks just as I’m about to close the door. Turning, I see the smile that’s on his face.
“No, for the ride.”
“So, not for the sex,” he asks, raising an eyebrow.
“That too. I mean…” I shake my head. “Goodbye.”
I hear Anton’s chuckle as I shut the door, then walk up the stairs to my small apartment. Then I remember I didn’t tell him where I lived so I turn around and ask, “How’d you know?”
He’s still sitting there watching me. “Samara Lisa Hanson, I know all there is to know about you. Enjoy your day off.” Anton drives off while my mouth hangs open. He caught me on my lie, and he even knows my full name and God only knows what other details.
“Sam.” Raven’s voice startles me from behind. Turning, she has a toothbrush in her mouth, smiling as she watches me. “You’re getting home relatively late.” She giggles. “Good night last night?” she asks.
I head out and start removing Alyona’s clothing so I can go shower.
“How did you get back?” I yell out to her.
“Death,” she tells me, making me stop.
My hand pauses on the zipper as I turn to walk back out of the shower area.
“He didn’t…”
She shakes her head. “He’s scary, intimidating even, but his girlfriend is the kindest soul. She evens him out, I think.”
I don’t answer her as I walk back to the shower. Stepping in, I look down and notice a hickey on my pelvic bone. How the fuck did he do that? And when? Washing and showering, I get out fast to go and relax with Raven.
“Do you think you’ll see him again?” she asks as I towel dry my hair.
“I don’t know, he’s too much.”
“And you aren’t?” she asks, handing me a tub of Ben and Jerry’s.
I sit on the couch as she starts Resident Evil for the hundredth time.
“I’m low maintenance. You should see his house, Rave, it’s bigger than this whole apartment complex. Plus, he lives with his mom. A fact he conveniently forgot to mention when my clothes were stripped and left in her damn foyer.”
Raven laughs while shaking her head.
“I bet it was worth it, though.” She winks, placing a spoonful of ice cream into her mouth.
My cell starts ringing—it’s work.
Raven sees and starts to shake her head, but weekend shifts I can never say no to. They come with outstanding money in the form of tips.
“Hello.” I listen to him ask me to come in. Saying no would be so easy. But instead, I tell him I’ll see him later this afternoon.
Raven sighs the minute she hears me accept the work. “Really?” she huffs.
“We need the money.”
She shakes her head, standing. “I need a damn job,” Raven says.
Raven can’t work. Her hours drain her as it is, especially when she’s at the hospital. And they are long-ass hours too.
***
After a beautiful day spent together watching movies and eating junk food, I stand to grab my bag that’s always packed and ready to go. Raven picks up her keys and drives me to work. We say our goodbyes, and I watch as she drives away.
I’m standing at the entry to the club, hoping tonight will be a good night and I make some extra money. Walking in, the bouncer nods his head to me. The girls wear the bare minimum, but most are naked, and there are men everywhere. It’s packed. Another busy night. Bachelor parties always bring in the extra family members.
“Samara,” my boss says as I enter the back room to begin getting changed. I incline my head to listen to him. “You’re on stage in the private room in ten.” Then he walks off with no thank you, no how are you. The prick. Dressed in a tiny black skirt that sits above my ass, so my cheeks are out, my blonde wig pulled tightly over my head and a face full of make-up, I walk out ready to dance because that’s what I’m good at.
Dancing and making my worries disappear.
My hips shake, my body rolls on the pole, and not once do I actually look anyone in the eye. Not once do I care who’s there. It’s like I’m the only one in a big empty room, and I sway to the music while enjoying the sounds. That is until his voice penetrates and breaks through my barriers.
“Samara.” It’s simple, my name. Yet, I hate that word coming from him.
Another mistake.
A one-night mistake that I still haven’t ridden myself of. No matter how hard I’ve tried. Picking up my discarded top from the floor, I start to walk quickly out of that room. He’s faster though, and his hand touches my upper arm, capturing it in his.
“Let me go.”
He doesn’t, he looks at me closely. “He isn’t here to protect you anymore.” Jamie smirks.
“I don’t need protecting, Jamie. I can look after myself.”
He shakes his head. “I’m a police officer… you’re a stripper, Samara. Exactly, who’s more believable?”
“I would be if you couldn’t talk,” I say, pulling my arm free and managing to get away this time.
A one-night stand with a cop that I can’t seem to escape.
Just my luck.
Just my life.