CHAPTER NINE - KAMI

Tate brought me to dinner in his jeep, and I couldn’t get over what a nice ride it was. The thing was tricked out with every additional feature you could imagine, and I knew he must have a good job to afford it.

For dinner, he’d bought me the biggest steak and shrimp platter I’d ever seen, and I had more than half of it in a to-go box.

We’d spent the better part of two hours getting to know one another. We shared stories from our childhoods, talked about photography as well as our other hobbies, and confessed our hopes for the future. It was thrilling to hear that he wanted a sole career in photography as much as I did.

“That was an amazing dinner. I only wish I could have finished.”

“I can’t believe I did. I haven’t eaten that much in a long time.” He helped me into the lifted jeep and placed the to-go box in my lap after I clicked my seatbelt.

He went around and climbed in beside me. “Do you need me to take you back to your car at the Loving Cup?”

“No, Rain brought me. I didn’t want to have to go back for my car. I live across town, not far from the coffee shop.”

“I’ll take you home then. If you’re ready?”

I didn’t want the night to end, but I gave a nod, not wanting to sound too eager. “Sure, thanks.”

As soon as we rounded the corner to my place, I could see the problem. There was a crowd of cars lined up outside Aunt Helen’s house and at least six people out on my lawn. Rain had called the practice, and they were still going strong. Then again, it was still early. I leaned forward in my seat and let out an audible sigh. “Oh no.”

“Is that your house?”

“Yeah, that’s where I stay, up above the garage. Looks like I won’t get any sleep tonight either.” I knew I was going to have to move out sooner or later, but Rain and Aunt Helen were the only family I had around. It’s what caused me to stay so close to them. Not to mention, it was super cheap and I’d just started making it my own.

“Does this go on a lot?” He pulled to a stop just out front.

“Yeah, like every other night lately. Rain’s my best friend, and her Aunt’s been good to me, but this is getting old.”

His eyes narrowed as he sympathized with me. “I could imagine. Do you work tomorrow?” He leaned up and glanced out at the window.

Yeah, first thing in the morning.”

“Look, I know this is our first date, and I understand if you want to say no, but my sister is at my place, and if you want to come home with me and stay, you’re welcome to. I mean, just for a night of peace and quiet, no strings or conditions and you can sleep wherever you like. I have two guest rooms and a couch. Plus, a built-in chaperone in Megan,” he added with a smile.

“I don’t want to impose. Besides what would your sister think? It’s not exactly the best first impression.”

“She would think that her brother knows what he’s doing and she doesn’t need to worry about it. You can give Rain my address and phone number so she knows where to reach you.”

“It sure sounds better than listening to sound checks and arguing all night; and they don’t know when to leave.”

“Then stay with me. I’m serious; it’s cool. We can go in and grab a few things and be on our way.”

I hesitated only a minute longer. “Ok, if you’re sure.”

“I’m sure,” he promised. “I promise I’ll be on my best behavior. If you want me to be.”

The way he looked at me made my insides turn to jelly, and if he wasn’t careful, I was going to drench my panties. I cleared my throat and opened the door.

“I’d introduce you to Aunt Helen, but she’s at bingo.” We approached the house, and I hoped to not bump into anyone, but as per usual, Devin was in the path of my stairway.

His head turned and his face grew serious as Tate and I passed, then they turned and headed back into the garage, whispering like a couple of adolescents.

We walked into my apartment and I suddenly became super self-conscious.

“I’ll just grab a few things, please ignore my mess. I’m redoing the living room and just yanked out some carpet. There’s beer in the fridge if you want it, just make yourself at home.” I hurried to gather my things not wanting us to hang around too long.

When I came out of my room with my bag, I found him staring at a few of my framed macro photos.

“These are really cool. I can tell this one is a cheese grater, and this one is a whisk, but what’s this one?”

“That’s a corkscrew.”

“I see it now.” He took another sip of his beer and turned to take my overnight bag off my hands. “These are really good. You definitely have the eye.”

“Thanks,” I said blushing. “I actually had my own studio for about six months. I may have ‘the eye’ for photography, but not so much for business. Someday, though, I will own my own studio again. And maybe a gallery too, so I can showcase my work, as well as boost other local artists.”

“That sounds amazing,” he said. “Well, with talent like this, I have no doubt you’ll get there. And who knows, maybe you might save a spot on the wall for me? It’s always been a dream of mine to be known for my work.”

“I’ll tell you what,” I said. “You get me out of this noisy shit hole tonight, and it’s a deal.”

He laughed. “You drive a hard bargain. Is this everything?” he gestured to the bag he held.

“Yep, all set,” I said.

“That’s impressive. My ex would have had three bags just for one night,” he said.

“Yeah, that’s not me,” I told him. “I don’t have time for all that.”

“It’s refreshing,” Tate said. “Plus, you don’t need anything else to make you beautiful.”

I blushed at his compliment and shook my head. “You’re quite the sweet-talker,” I said.

He smiled. “I mean, I can be, sure. But I’m serious Kami. You are beautiful.”

I stared at him for just a moment too long, my lips parting as I stepped toward him. Suddenly, a loud bang and shouting came from outside.

“What the hell was that?” Tate said, going to look out the window.

“Probably my ex being a jackass,” I said.

He turned and looked at me. “Ah, so that’s who that dude was with the Bimbo Barbie when we walked up.”

I couldn’t help but giggle. “Yeah. Not one of my finer choices in life.”

We headed downstairs and I went into the garage to tell Rain where I was going and to give her his info. Before I could step away from him though, Tate leaned down and brushed a kiss to my cheek. I knew from the way his eyes were trained on Devin that it was for his benefit.

I headed across the room, and some of the band waved while others said hello. It had been a while since I’d come down to see them. Devin folded his arms across his chest as I approached and Rain stepped a little in front of him.

Devin wasn’t about to be overshadowed. “Is that who you’re seeing? Mr. Rich Prick?”

“What’s it to you?” I answered before I turned my attention to Rain. “I’m going to stay the night.”

Rain placed her hand on my arm. “Do you think that’s a good idea? You barely know the guy, Kam.”

“I just need to get away for a night. His sister is at his house anyway, so it’s no big deal.”

“Call if you need me. I’ll come get you. And keep your cell phone on.” Rain hugged my neck, and Devin huffed and walked away. He had some nerve acting like he had a say in who I hung around with, much less judge them.

“I’m texting you his info now so you’ll know where I am,” I told her and forwarded the address Tate had put in my phone. I hurried out to the jeep and climbed in before Tate could come around to help. He watched as I clicked my belt and then shut the door for me.

We drove to his place, which was a nice three-bedroom house in a much better part of town. I thought about what Devin said and how he’d called Tate a rich boy. Maybe he’d seen Devin’s car parked out front. I wondered just how much money he had, not that it really mattered. I had never really cared all that much about material things.

“You have a beautiful home.” I noticed things were quiet, and even though I’d prepared myself to meet his sister, part of me was glad she didn’t seem to be home.

“Thanks, I wasn’t kidding about my sister, by the way, but I’m not sure she’s here after all.”

“It’s fine, really. Don’t worry about it. I’m OK with us spending a little time alone.”

“Why don’t you go to that shelf over there and pick out a movie. I’ll make some popcorn and get us a couple of drinks,” he said, walking toward the bar in the back of the room.

I went over to the massive entertainment center and browsed through the hundreds of DVDs that he had stacked in alphabetical order. I pulled out a favorite romantic comedy of mine and held it up for him.

“Ah yes, don’t tell anyone, but I love that movie,” he said with a wink.

I took a seat on the soft black leather couch, and he disappeared into the next room to grab the popcorn. I looked around and noticed there were several framed images lining the walls. “Are those yours?” I asked, when he came back into the room.

He set the bowl of popcorn and two glasses of wine down on the coffee table in front of us. “Yep,” he said. “I have hundreds but not enough space to put them all up so I just picked out my favorites. Sometimes I change them out for others when I get bored.”

“They’re beautiful,” I said. He really was a master of his art.

“Yes, beautiful,” he repeated.

When I turned my head, his eyes were focused squarely on me. Before I realized what I was doing, I leaned forward and offered my lips to him, which he gladly claimed. His tongue swept over mine, setting my nerves to buzzing. I could hear my blood rushing in my ears as his hand came up to cup my face.

I shifted in my seat so I could press closer to him and he slid me over so that I was straddling his lap. Instinctively, I ground against him, feeling his hard shaft on my inner thigh. He pulled back for a moment and looked up at me.

“We can stop if you want to,” he said, his voice husky and full of the same need I felt building in my core.

“I’m OK,” I told him, allowing my body to fully rule my head for once in a very long while.

His tongue caressed mine, and he brought his hands up to squeeze my breasts, his thumbs brushing softly against my tight nipples.

I slipped my hand down to stroke him through his jeans, feeling his cock grow even harder in my hand. He groaned into my mouth and lifted me off him, laying me back on the couch and moving over me.

He kissed me deeply as his hand wandered down below the waist of my jeans and into my panties. A voice inside asked if things were moving way to fast, but I proceeded to ignore the voice.

I involuntarily bucked against his fingers and he took the cue to slip one inside me.

I cried out and wriggled against him as he worked his finger in and out of my sopping pussy.

“I need to taste you,” he said, his voice a low growl. He withdrew his finger from me and traveled down my body, stripping my panties and jeans off with fevered quickness. Once I was naked and spread out for him, he looked up at me through hooded eyes.

“God, you’re beautiful,” he whispered, as he lowered himself to my trimmed mound and kissed me there. An explosion of pleasure washed over my center as his tongue found my clit and stroked it.

My entire body stiffened as he worked me with his tongue. I reached down and tangled my hands in his hair as he licked and sucked my most intimate places. He worked me to the brink with his magic tongue, before pushing me over the edge with a well-timed finger driven deep inside me.

I cried out and clenched my legs around his head as I rode out the wave of my orgasm. When my breathing finally returned to normal, I looked down to see Tate still propped between my legs, a smile on his lips that still glistened with my juices.

“God, you’re even hotter when you come,” he said, bending his head to give me one final lick.

I bucked and squealed, squirming beneath him before finally sitting up. My eyes locked onto his and I licked my own lips.

“Time to return the favor.”