Chapter Sixteen
Talk show host: Rebecca Winston
Well, today I’ve got a very intriguing video for you guys. This is outside of R&R’s gym where it’s said Ruth Thomas better known by her stage name, SoulGoddess, frequents when she’s home and not busy giving the world her amazing voice. As you can also see, there are a few others in the video with Ruth. Our sources confirm that one is her bodyguard, the woman is her personal assistant while the other two is Randy James from KY Entertainment and the other, well... We’ve got word that that’s Amit Kingston, the mysterious president of Black Hearts and hear this—that coincidently took over the same day Ruth signed on with Black Hearts. Strange, isn’t it? But what’s stranger is the fact that Amit Kingston has no ties at all with the previous president. No one even knew who he was when he was named president by Teddy Jackson mere hours before being mauled by a dog outside his L.A. home.
But besides all that craziness, let’s talk about the video, shall we? The video has no sound and from this angle we really can’t make out facial expressions. What we can see is Ruth sucker-punching Randy James in the face, and the intimate closeness she shared with Amit before she did. You’ve been living under a rock if you don’t know the history between Liz James and Ruth Thomas. Supposedly, Liz and her father stole Ruth’s songwriting and most of Liz’s first album are those songs. Pretty awful, right?
But it’s been ten years almost, so what’s going on now? We only have more questions. What’s going on with our Dark Goddess and the shadowy president of Black Hearts, anyway? Is romance blooming or something else?
***
RUTH
When you were as well-known as I was, there was always going to be something said about you. Most of it consisted of half-truths. Sometimes they were true though. Like this one today. Someone got a hold of the surveillance video outside the gym and sold it. My first suspect would have been Mr. James, but he wasn’t put in a pretty light.
Then again, good or bad exposure was still exposure and bringing up the past was a sure way to get Liz’s name out there again for when she made a comeback.
I shut off my phone the moment I woke up to the mess, but poor Jayne was stuck answering hers all morning since I paid her to take care of these types of situations. It was afternoon when she finally ended probably her thirtieth call and dropped down in a stool beside me in Ma’s kitchen. “I don’t get it. Celebrities are still human. Why do people think they are required to know a person’s life just because they’ve seen them on TV or at a concert?” Jayne sighed. “Everybody’s wanting you on their talk show now, and you know what that means. They want an opportunity to get answers.”
“Say no to them all,” I told her. “I’m not ruining this break just because they’re curious about Amit and me.”
She nodded, then smirked. “So there’s an Amit and you?” I grinned, and her eyes widened. “No.” She shoved me lightly on the shoulder. “See I told you, girl!”
I laughed. “Stop. I know what you’re thinking. This is nothing but a physical relationship that I want to continue for as long as it can.” Which wasn’t long.
She shrugged. “You do you. I’m just glad you’re having some sort of relationship that’s not music.”
I nodded, understanding her point. My world revolved around music, and I didn’t regret it.
“How’s songwriting going?”
I shook my head. “Not good, but I did manage to help The Oppressors with one of theirs.”
“Set it aside and come back to it. Isn’t that what you do when that happens?” she asked me with a wink. “Never know, Amit might be just what you need.”
I didn’t even smile since it’s true. “I know he is.”
“I didn’t know you had a man,” Ma said, stepping into the kitchen. She was settled in her home now and seemed to like it. Growing up, as much as she neglected and hurt me, and all the times I thought I’d never get over my hatred, I still dreamed of moments like this where I could drag her out of her hell. I never imagined I actually would. Looking at her, I was filled with relief that at least that part of my plan worked.
“I don’t,” I told her.
“Then what were you two just talking about, and what’s all over the news about this president you’re supposedly close with?”
“Amit Kingston.” Jayne said enthusiastically. “And Mama Barb, you should see how gorgeous this man is.” Ma came up and whacked a cloth over her head. Jayne simply grinned wider.
“How many times I gotta tell you I ain’t your mama?” Her brows lifted. “But how gorgeous are we talking here?” She looked to me for answers.
“Tell your daughter to get a picture of him next time they’re together.” Jayne pointed toward me.
I sighed. “I don’t think she wants to see who I’m fucking, Jayne.”
Jayne’s mouth fell open as Ma glared. “I know you use that language day to day, but I don’t want to hear it. And yes, I want to see who my daughter’s fooling around with.” Jayne covered her mouth with her hand as she looked over at Ma. “But what was Liz’s father doing there?”
“Trying to get me to help Liz out with her comeback,” I told her.
She slapped her cloth down against the island and sighed. “The nerve of those two. You better be glad you punched him, or I might have slapped you myself.” She looked down at Jayne. “Tell me if she messes with that bunch again. I won’t allow it.”
I rolled my eyes as Jayne saluted her. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Cut me a break. I’m smarter than that,” I grumbled, but Ma ignored me.
________
The studio was off-limits for now in case reporters went there. Most knew every place I frequented, especially the only workspace I’d ever used. I sent Liam and the guys a text letting them know I wouldn’t be there today in case they missed me. I liked them. They were laid-back and cool, and their music was the shit.
Jayne and I parted ways after leaving Ma’s, and now I was lounging on the sofa with Moose. Rubbing his fur, I thought about how I hadn’t decided who I wanted to take care of him when I was gone. Not that I wanted to force anyone to keep him, but I honestly hoped Jayne wouldn’t leave him. I had no choice but to count on her.
I was filled with an odd sense of dysphoria which was to be expected. It would come and go throughout each day, mostly when I was left alone. Thinking back to that ill-fated day, I wondered if this has happened to someone else and if so, how many? What kind of demon was the shadowy figure? What was a soul reaper other than him being a soul stealer? And how did he give me this life? Maybe I’d know when I was dead. Maybe there was a whole other world out there. It was weird to imagine but easier to accept when you’d seen what I had.
Instead of thinking, I wanted to be happy and feel and live. As I reached for my phone on the coffee table, it dinged. That wave of desire traced the edges of my soul when I saw it was Amit.
Amit: Coming to see you.
How did he always manage to fill me up when I was getting down? The thought was dangerous, so I shoved it away as I smiled and darted to the bathroom as I sent him a text back.
Me: I’ll be waiting.
I made quick work in the shower—shaving my legs and washing my hair. I should have asked how long he’d be before I washed it. By the time I was dressed, he was knocking on the door. I abandoned drying my hair and left my wet curls down.
I was star-struck when I opened the door. “You’re wearing jeans.” Have mercy on my soul. No wonder he didn’t do casual. He was too fucking edible with that white T-shirt and faded jeans. His muscles were defined and so much easier to see than when he wore a suit.
Moose came up beside me and growled. He really did not like Amit at all.
Gray eyes swept over my loose jeans and black shirt. “Looks like you were expecting something…?” he asked. There was a hint of a smirk on his lips.
I swayed. I couldn’t handle Amit when he loosened up around me. His aloofness was appealing to me but those shy smiles would be my undoing. He was being playful.
“Why else would you have come over?” I teased as he pushed me back inside and closed the door behind him.
One giant arm snaked around my waist and lifted me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist and beamed at him. “Don’t smile,” he grumbled, but I did anyway as he carried me to my bedroom and laid me on the bed.
“Mr. Kingston, I do believe you’re awfully into me.”
His forehead crinkled. “Call me Amit.”
“Why?” One of my eyebrows lifted as his fingers found the top of my jeans.
“Because that’s my name.” He yanked my jeans down, dragging my ass to the edge of the mattress. “Pull up your shirt,” he instructed and bent over me.
I gasped from the thought of what he was about to do. “You’re going to…?” The last time I had sex before Amit was in high school. At that age, I was dealing with boys and boys didn’t care about patience and getting their partner off, especially not going down on them. This would be my first time if Amit was indeed about to place his mouth on my pussy.
“Do you have a problem?” His breath touched my inner thigh, and my body tingled, responding to this new sensation.
“Please, Amit.” I said in frustration.
“You don’t have to beg. I’m going to give you everything and more,” he grunted brutishly.
Lowering his head, his tongue flicked out, teasing my opening. I bucked into his hot mouth as his grip on my thighs tightened and held me at bay. He swiped over me again leisurely, then he was sucking my clit into his mouth before lapping over it. My hips sprang forward as I moaned, oh God, this was amazing. I didn’t know if I could handle the tingling sensation. It was so intense, his mouth so different than actual sex. And watching him, his face between my legs only made me crazy. I was twisting and squirming like a cat on catnip, but I couldn’t help it. Every time he flattened his tongue out, then teased the hell out of my clit, I was right the edge of the orgasmic cliff.
But then he started biting and placing kisses along my inner thigh as he pressed a finger into me, then two, working them in and out, hooking his finger in that perfect way. Fuck! He knew just what to do to me. He kept me right at the tip of my climax, dragging it out until I was more than aching for my release. I was begging and whimpering for it. Every time he felt the clench of my pussy, the peak of my orgasm nearing, he’d retreat his fingers enough until I wound down, then curve them right back and I’d be exactly where I was—ready to burst without him ever letting me. It was torture. He was evil and so damn sexy as he watched me with hooded eyes.
“Please,” I begged, closing my legs around his shoulders, urging him on. Now I was reaching down and grabbing a fistful of his hair. His gray eyes were like the brightness of the sun right after a cloudy day—that was how light his eyes were compared to the darkness of his features which were warped in desire as he stared up at me.
“You act like I’m keeping you from your pleasure,” he hummed mercilessly, his gaze shining with a wicked blaze.
“You—” I didn’t get to finish because his two digits inside me departed then slipped back in as three and he began to hammer them into me, curving them forward. I was right there. My stomach was already tightening. Just a few more pumps, and I’d get what… Then his mouth suckled on my clit and I lost it, screaming and thrashing, as I came on his face. The pleasure that clenched around his fingers, spiraled throughout my entire body just like the flashing lights blinking down over me in the form of intensity and pleasure so strong I could pass out. His tongue went on to tease and draw it out until my entire body was jittering.
If was only when I let go of his hair, falling back that he finally relented. He destroyed me completely with one orgasm.
“Oh, Amit,” I panted. “That was amazing.”
He got off his knees, perched on the edge of the bed, and pulled me into his lap.
My body was sensitive, still slightly tingly as I watched him through a hazy fog. I was tired, boneless from the mind-blowing orgasm, but that didn’t seem to matter the moment his hard length pressed against me through his jeans. Smiling wantonly, I rubbed my drenched pussy against him. He kneaded my ass cheek in one hand until it was almost painful, giving me a stern look as if to say hold still, or behave as he leaned away so that he could undo his jeans. The moment he freed his cock, I took him in my hand. My fingers were long, but small and they looked even tinier wrapped around his length. I traced the veins and the tip with my thumb before licking my lips. He was so incredible in length and girth that my opening was already aching to be filled.
“I could write a song about how perfect your cock is.”
His steely eyes softened, but his voice still had that menacing quality to it that I loved. “I’m sure you could.” He lifted my shirt the rest of the way and tossed it somewhere then placed his hand over mine. “Let me give you something better to sing about.” Before I could say anything, Amit lifted me up and onto his throbbing cock. I enclosed my arms around his neck as he lowered me onto him. I closed my eyes and relished every painful, solid inch and the way he stretched me completely. It was pure bliss, the way my body accepted him, then slowly pulsed and slickened around him. His shoulders shook once he was to the hilt, and I almost didn’t want us to move. I wanted to stay like this. The joining of our bodies was a hypnotic stimulation itself.
I wanted to be spellbound like this forever if it was with him.
Opening my eyes, I whispered, “I’m on birth control just so you know you don’t have to pull out. I’m clean, are you?”
“Yes.” His heady gaze would engrave itself into my memory. “It’s been a long time for me.”
My heart stirred. “Why me?”
He caressed my cheek.
“Because you are my soul food.”
I couldn’t ever make sense of his words, but somewhere deep inside my chest cavity I knew they were important. There were a million ways I could take his words and turn it over into something special, but instead I leaned in and kissed his jaw then his neck. Placing my palms at his shoulder, I lifted my hips and began to ride him. Pain shot through my ass from Amit’s tight grip. I hissed a throaty moan. The sensation bordered on torture, but the hurt was wrapped in deep satisfaction. He pressed his lips against my neck the second I tipped my head back. Shudders wracked over me as I increased my rhythm. “Jesus,” I whimpered as he ground my pubic bone into him every time my hips went down, giving my clit stimulation. Oh, oh, fuck, I want to come. And I was almost there.
Moisture dampened my skin, riding him became an act of desperation. All I could think of was the point of no return that Amit’s dick was pushing me to. I panted, becomingly absolutely frantic in the chase of my release. I rode him quicker, clumsier, sometimes moving too fast and then too slow. Amit took control then, controlling my movements by my hips. He regained the exact, steady thrusts I needed as he bent down and sucked a nipple into his mouth, biting just as he pushed me down onto him. That was all I needed. I lost it. Lost my soul, my mind, my breath as heat shattered and tingled along inside me. White flooded the back of my eyelids as I arched. I was floating, reveling in ecstasy as I screamed. I was only partly aware I was whimpering Amit’s name as I did.
Wobbly and weak, I sagged onto his chest. But then Amit was raising me up from his lap and stood. My eyes fluttered open as he twisted me around and bent me over the bed. I gasped out of surprise and pleasure, tilting my head over my shoulder to see that sadly our hips didn’t align this way. Amit was just that tall but then it didn’t matter. He simply slipped a hand underneath me at my stomach, lifting my entire lower half completely to meet his. My feet dangled as my heart raced. I clutched the bedsheet in my palms, loving the way he held me like I was nothing. He thrust back inside, and I screamed wantonly. He buried himself, filling me so fully and completely that tears stung my eyes. Letting my head fall against the cool sheet, I welcomed his onslaughts as rough and beautiful as they were until he stopped completely.
“Am I hurting you?” he asked.
Of course he hurt me. With his girth and roughness, how could he not? But the pain… His bruising thrusts… The sensations he gave me made it all worth it.
Looking over my shoulder, our eyes met. “This is the only time you’re allowed to hurt me. Don’t hold back. You know you want to.”
Punctuating my point, I wiggled my ass and clenched around his dick.
Steel-gray eyes smoldered with heat before trailing down my body. I moaned as soon as he started, driving into me with the same hard force. After a few more punishing thrusts, my body relaxed. Pain and pleasure collided. As his cock hit the perfect spot, my stomach tightened. With each thrust, my breasts lifted from the sheets. The room filled with the sounds of flesh slapping flesh. My breasts bounced as I clutched the sheets. Amit tightened his grip as my body raised off the bed.
“Fuck,” he grunted and pressed a finger in my ass.
The intrusion took me by surprise. My puckered hole tightened around his digit, the foreign sensation causing an inferno of pleasure to careen toward the ache that was already clenching around his crown. I tensed, skin ablaze as my pinnacle neared, then crashed over me. I raptured, blossomed, unfurled as he dominated every part of me. With a gruff, urgent roar, he erupted inside me.
With a steady arm, he lowered my legs slowly. I whimpered as he pulled out, already missing the feel of him. I crumbled at the edge of the bed, my knees sliding down the sheets at the end of the mattress. My ass was hanging off. Exhaustion took over, but it couldn’t destroy my satisfaction. My gaze found his and my lips curled up.
I heard him zipping his pants before he said, “Here.” He pulled me to my feet and held me steady. “Is your body okay? I was a lot rougher than I realized.” His hand caressed my ass cheek before he went on to soothe the ache between my thighs the same way. I didn’t know how to handle this gentle side of him. There was a slight twinge of red to his cheeks, added on to his tenderness, and I was in so much trouble. My heart was too happy, chest too warm.
He was so cold most of the time, but I was beginning to see he was so much more than the outer shell he formed around himself.
I ran my hand beneath the bottom of his shirt as he sat down on the bed, pulling me into his lap. I slipped my fingers in the area where the hair was on his chest, addicted to how incredible his physique was, sinewy and rock hard. “Relax. If I have bruises in the morning, it will have been totally worth it.” He didn’t seem to believe me. Instead, his gaze traveled over my nakedness and looked me over. “Hey…” He looked back at my face. “Why call me Soul Food?” I rested my head on his chest. I didn’t want him to see my expression, suddenly feeling bashful after everything. “You say the weirdest things sometimes.”
I waited, but the longer he said nothing, the more my good feelings waned. Lifting me to the side and placing me on the bed, he looked away from me urgently and stood. “I should go.”
I had to catch myself when I wanted to automatically get up and follow. “Are you sure?” I asked despite knowing his answer. “We can order takeout and sit around.”
“How about I take you somewhere tomorrow?”
I perked up. “Where?”
“Wherever you want.”
I hated that he had the ability to make me sad or happy within seconds. I should stop now. My mind whispered a warning, but my heart fluttered its last few beats before it reached a point of no return.