Chapter One
Derek
“Hey man, welcome back. How’s Janny doing?” I lean against the door frame of Kyle’s office. He and his fiancé just got back from a much needed vacation. Janny was stalked by someone from Kyle’s police officer past while she was living in NY for an internship with an advertising firm. The situation got out of control and ended with an altercation. Fortunately, it ended poorly for Zack, the stalker, and Kyle made it out pretty much unscathed.
“She’s doing as well as she can be. She’s skittish and struggling with anxiety from the whole ordeal, but my girl’s a fighter. She’ll be okay.” He flashes a smile at me. He and Janny have a special relationship. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen two people more in love. I know they were meant for each other, and after all they’ve both been through, they deserve the happily ever after – if such a thing exists.
“Did you get the report I sent you on the Maxwell case?” I ask.
“Yes, I did. How much longer does she want us to follow her son? We told her he has a drug problem. Put the kid in rehab.” He grimaces. “Get the kid some help, before it’s too late.”
I nod my head. “I agree. His addiction will only get worse, the more time passes.”
“Hey, I was thinking I’d take Janny out, and I’m going to invite some friends. She hasn’t seen Elle or Josh since we got engaged. Are you up for it?” He taps his pen against his desk while he waits for my answer.
“Yeah, I can do that. Where are we going and what time?”
“This coming Friday night, eight o’clock at Quake.” He drops his head and jots a few words on a piece of scrap paper.
“Sure, I’ll be there, dude. I hope it takes her mind off of all that’s happened.” I move away from the door jamb. “I’ll see you later. I have some shit to take care of, and then I’m heading out for the night.”
“Okay sounds good, man. See you tomorrow.” His focus immediately returns to his computer. I take a step back and turn, walking down the hallway. The last time we were all together at Quake was about six months ago, the night I met Janny for the first time. I spent most of the night staring across the table at Kenna McKenzie’s alluring face imagining what her naked body would look like tied up in my bed. I know nothing could be sexier than having her there.
As much as the idea held appeal, I didn’t get to take her home and have my way with her that night. Even though the pressure of her foot against my leg had my dick hard for hours, and I never moved away.
Kyle and Janny left early and Josh and Elle went to the bar to get drinks, leaving us alone at the table. The silence between us felt awkward and tangible – so thick you could cut it with a fucking knife. There was enough sexual energy flowing between us to jumpstart a dead car battery. At one point she licked her glossy, red lips and I had to grip the edge of the table with both hands to stop myself from grabbing her and tugging her over to me. I knew if that happened I’d never be able to let her go until my cock had been buried inside her mouth and pussy repeatedly until I was satisfied.
“How’s work?” I asked, trying to break up the uncomfortable tension between us.
She arched one black, brow at me. “Do you really care?” she asked looking bored. The flat expression on her face had me wanting to show her how fucking exciting I could be, but instead I called it a night. Why should I subject myself to more of her attitude when I could go find some easy pussy that wasn’t stamped with the word forbidden? Besides, nothing could ever happen between us and I needed to stop wasting my time imagining it could.
***
Why in the hell did I agree to Kyle's invitation to meet up at Quake tonight? Now I have to deal with his sister, Kenna. I couldn't exactly say no, though. He's my best friend and dude does deserve some fun after everything he and Janny went through; a stroke, brain surgery, and all the crazy stalker shit that left Kyle with a knife wound and a psycho presumed dead. I'd say that's cause for celebration.
I’ve had a shitty day, and listening to Kenna’s sarcastic comments is the last fucking thing I need. Ever since we met, my attitude toward her flips from hot to cold without warning because I can’t handle the way I feel about her. And tonight she better watch herself, my patience is already running low. I can’t be held responsible for what happens if she pushes me. She might find herself facing the big bad wolf, and I’m all for eating her. I’ll fucking devour her. Once she rides my tongue, she’ll never forget it. And if she’s lucky enough to ride my cock – fucking life changing.
Every time I’m near her I think about what her lips would feel like against mine. Would they feel the same as they did when we kissed so long ago?
Four years ago
“What are you doing here?” Kenna asks, her eyes narrowed and arms crossed.
“Aren’t you happy to see me?” I smirk and raise the bottle of beer to my lips for a long pull.
“Why are you here, Derek?” She taps her foot on the kitchen floor, noticeably annoyed with my question.
“I’m here to babysit you and your friends. Your brother asked me to check on you.”
She bristles at my answer and shakes her head. Goddamn she’s more beautiful every time I see her. She’s turning into a goddess and it’s impossible for me to keep my thoughts away from all the things I want to do to her.
“I call bullshit. I’m twenty-one years old. I’m not a fucking child. I don’t need a babysitter at my party.” I place the bottle down on the counter and walk toward her, stopping just shy of our chests touching.
I place my finger on her lips. “Don’t say that word.”
She pushes my hand aside. “I’ll fucking say whatever I fucking want to and you can’t do a fucking thing about it,” she taunts making me see red.
I grip her arms and pull her into me. She gasps.
“Don’t test me tonight, Kenna. I’m not in the mood to ignore your bullshit.”
Her whiskey eyes are locked with mine, her lips clenched together. “Go away, Derek.” She scowls. “No one wants you here.”
I smile back at her and lean down like I’m going to kiss her. “You want me here. Admit it.” I stare at her tempting dark-pink mouth as I get closer and closer. Her wide eyes are focused on my lips. I move to the side at the last second and place a kiss below her ear. She shivers from my touch and all I want to do is kiss her tempting mouth. I want to see what kind of reaction I can make her have with my lips on hers. I grip the back of her silky hair tight in my fist and tug her forward until our lips are just shy of touching.
“Is this what you want?” I ask, my voice gruff. “Do you want to see how close to this fire you can be without getting burned, little girl?” I take her mouth without any warning, my tongue twists around hers and my cock goes rock hard. She moans into my mouth and falls into me, wrapping her arms around my neck. Fuck. The way she responds to my touch – to my kiss, has my dick rock hard. What is she doing to me? How can she make me so on edge with just one kiss?
***
When I walk into Quake I notice the overwhelming smell of perfume and alcohol permeating the air. My eyes scan the room for safety as I make my way to their table in the back near the rear exit. Tonight is going to be a repeat of six months ago when I met Janny for the first time.
As I approach where they’re seated, Kyle stands, shakes my outstretched hand and thumps me on the back.
Janny stands and I pull her into my arms, squeezing her tiny frame tight. She’s the reason my best friend is still alive. If it wasn’t for her, I’m not sure he would’ve found the will to survive the stroke he suffered and brain surgery he had as a result. As I step back from our embrace I get a sense of déjà vu. Kenna is seated in the same place as last time and once again, I end up across from her. She avoids looking at me, her eyes darting around the room.
“Hi Kenna.” I say, my lips twisted into a smirk. She glances at me before looking away.
“Hi.” She can pretend she’s unaffected by me, but I know better. The tell-tale pulse racing in her neck gives her away. She looks like an angel in her strapless white dress, sipping her drink. All that's missing is the halo sitting on top of all that long black hair. Except she's not an angel. Those pouty red lips wrapped around her thin straw were made to do wicked things. Too bad they're used for wise-ass remarks instead.
She keeps her head turned to the side, allowing me to study her profile. The curve of her forehead is subtle above her black arched brows. Her golden-brown eyes are large and almond shaped, surrounded by thick, black, curvy lashes. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such long eyelashes before. Not that I pay attention to those details, at least not with other women. With Kenna, I seem to notice it all. She’s always on my radar when we’re in the vicinity of each other. When I haven’t seen her for a while, I wonder what she’s doing. Who she’s keeping company with. Who she’s fucking. The thought of someone else’s hands on her sexy-as-fuck body drives me insane. The thought of some dude’s dick inside her can send me over the edge. I fight to keep myself from thinking about those things. I have no control over what she does and I never will.