The Complete Quake Series Page 4

  Janny and I’ve texted a few times today and she told me she would prefer to meet me at the restaurant. I would’ve liked to pick her up like a proper date, but I do understand the reason behind it. She doesn’t know me well enough to feel comfortable giving out her address. I’m going to show her she can trust me to always keep her safe.

  We agreed to meet at Mario’s at seven o’clock and I’m standing out in front when her cab arrives. Walking over, I open her door and lend a hand while she gets out. She protests when I pass money to the driver and as soon as I close the door he takes off. Taking her arm, I usher her further onto the sidewalk, away from the busy street, before I pause to look her over.

  “Hi,” I smile. I seem to smile a lot in her presence which is quite an accomplishment. “You look amazing.” I tell her, meaning it.

  My eyes travel the length of her body taking in the tight fitting black pants that mold her legs so well. I can clearly see the shape of her calves and thighs. She’s not wearing heels, she has on black, leather flats. I love how tiny she is. She’s going to feel perfect in my arms tonight when I kiss her for the first time.

  “Hi. How are you?” She seems happy to see me.

  “I’m great, now that you’re here. I’ve been looking forward to this since the moment you walked away from me outside the coffee shop,” I admit.

  A smile quickly spreads across her face as if she was thinking the same thing. She’s so unbelievably beautiful it’s intimidating to me. I’m not a bad looking guy, but I know I’m no prize. I have a lot of baggage and I don’t know if someone sweet like Janny is equipped to deal with it all. I should walk away now while I still can, but I’m a selfish bastard and I can’t bear the thought of not being with her. If I was really a nice guy, I’d put an end to this, before we get to know each other better. I’d put an end to this, before we could kiss. I know once I taste her sweet lips, there’ll be no turning back.

  My hand seeks hers out, guiding her toward the main entrance of the restaurant. Opening the door, I gesture for her to proceed in front of me. The hostess seats us and it’s only minutes before the waitress is taking our order. Janny has no problem deciding what she wants and I stick with the lasagna, my usual, when I eat here.

  Derek and I use this restaurant for business dinners, but I’ve never brought a woman to dine here. Christ, I can’t remember the last date I’ve been on and the last time I got laid - it’s been a pathetically long time. Maybe, close to two years. It’s not like I couldn’t if I wanted to, but at this point in my life it’s easier to spare myself the awkwardness of one-night stands and take care of things myself.

  We make small talk over dinner, both of us feeling the other out, like dipping your toe in the pool to test the water before diving in head first.

  “What’s your all-time favorite movie?” I can tell a lot about a person by how they answer this question.

  “The Dark Knight,” she answers without hesitation. “Because anyone with real taste knows it’s the best Batman movie of them all. Besides Christian Bale is the greatest Batman ever.”

  I think I’m in love.

  “What’s your favorite hobby?”

  She looks around the room mischievously like she’s embarrassed to answer and gestures for me to lean forward. “I love reading erotic romance novels. I can’t get enough of them.” Her cheeks flush a becoming shade of pink while she chews on her lower lip.

  Now I’m really in love.

  I wish I’d never seen her at the Moore’s house before the night I bumped into her at Quake. I didn’t orchestrate either one of our first two meetings, and the more time I spend with Janny the more I realize it really is fate’s way of pushing us together. Although, I’m keeping the details of how long I’ve known about her a secret for now, I do plan on coming clean at some point.

  When we leave the restaurant, I suggest taking a walk and grabbing dessert right down the street from where we are.

  The North End in Boston is full of authentic Italian eateries like Mario’s and I point out some of the better ones; our hands entwined while we walk along the cracked and pitted sidewalk. I’m surprised by how natural it seems to be doing this with her. The weather is mild for the beginning of March. The air has a slight chill to it, but not enough to make me cold.

  Once we’re inside Decadence, a popular dessert bar, we find an empty table in the corner and sit down. I make sure I pull her chair out for her. I’m out of practice when it comes to wooing a woman, but if I’m honest, I’m not sure I’ve ever been good at it. I want to be though. I want to be the best man I can be for her, I’m just not sure my best will be enough.

  She orders cheesecake and I order the triple chocolate cake, both of us agreeing to share with each other.

  “Where did you grow up?” I ask her even though I already know the answer to this question. I want her to be comfortable talking to me and I want to know everything about her.

  “I grew up about twenty minutes from here in Belmont.” She studies her nails, avoiding eye contact with me.

  I know this conversation isn’t something she wants to be having. “Do your parents still live there?” God, I hate doing this to her, but I have no choice. How can I explain already knowing the answers to these questions? I can’t. I must remain committed to my original plan. A flicker of sadness passes over her face before she answers me.

  “No, both of my parents died in a house fire right before the start of my freshman year of college.” She nervously spins her bracelet around and around her wrist.

  I don’t say anything. I sit there in silence waiting for her to continue. I know there’s more for her to tell me.

  Her blue eyes raise to meet mine. “My high school boyfriend and I were also in the house, but I’m the only one who survived.”

  I cover her hand with mine, squeezing it gently and waiting for her to continue.

  “They were never able to determine the cause of the fire.” She turns over the hand resting beneath mine, and I align our palms.

  “I’m sorry for your loss, I know there aren’t words to take the pain away. I wish you hadn’t gone through so much.”

  “Thank you, it’s easier for me to talk about it now. What about you? Where did you grow up?”

  “I grew up in South Boston. I have a sister, Kenna, she’s eight years younger than me. My parents are no longer with us. They were killed in a drunk driving accident ten years ago.”

  This time she squeezes my hand and I love how soft and tiny hers is.

  Her nails are painted a light blue, a small detail which makes me wonder if she has a frivolous side she keeps hidden. “I’m sorry for your loss. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone else who’s lost both of their parents on the same day. What happened to Kenna when they passed? Who took care of her?”

  She’s sweet to be concerned for Kenna and I like how she genuinely cares about other people. The more I learn about her, the deeper I fall.

  “I took care of Kenna. I was twenty-three at the time of their death and the only option she had.”

  She takes a bite of her cheesecake and rinses it down with a sip of water before continuing. “So that means you’re thirty-three now.” She raises an eyebrow and waits for me to confirm it.

  “Yes, I’m thirty-three. Does that make me too old for you?”

  I hope it doesn’t.

  My stomach tightens anxiously as I wait for her answer.

  “No, I’ve never been one to get hung up on age. I’m twenty-two and an adult who can make my own decisions. I know what’s right for me.”

  “Am I right for you?” I ask, my voice sounding hoarse to my own ears.

  Her eyes rise from her plate to meet mine and I swear I can almost see the sexual tension flowing between us. “That remains to be seen.”

  * * *

  I was pleasantly surprised when Janny agreed to let me drive her home. I’m thrilled she’s already feeling more comfortable with me.

  The ride to her apartment passes mos
tly in silence, but there’s no awkwardness at all. My gaze repeatedly strays from the road, to her. Our eyes keep connecting and smiles are shared.

  She directs me to the apartment building where she lives and once the car is parked, I jump out and walk around to open her door for her. She seems surprised I’m observing this small nod to chivalry.

  Holding hands as we walk toward the main entrance of her building, I can’t be sure who reached for the other first. Once we’re inside, I’m consumed with thoughts of kissing her, my tongue gliding across her pouty lips. I want to suck her bottom lip into my mouth and nip it with my teeth.

  We remain connected all the way to her first-floor apartment. I’m not happy she’s on the bottom level. Second floor apartments have a much lower break in rate.

  She releases my hand, digging through her pure for her keys. Unlocking the door, she turns to face me. “Would you like to come in for a bit?”

  Nodding my head in response, my mouth is dry and the words to answer her are missing. All I’m able to think about is what’s to come. The way these next twenty or so minutes goes, will decide our fate. Hopefully her asking me for a ride home and inviting me inside means she’s curious too. I hope she’s eager to know where this may lead.

  Once the door is open and we’ve both stepped inside, it takes almost every bit of my restraint to keep from shoving her against the wall and locking my lips on hers. My hands clench and my teeth grind together while I fight against the fierce need to taste her mouth.

  “Take a seat,” she says as she places her purse on a small entryway table. “Do you want a drink? There’s beer and water.”

  “Water would be great, thanks,” my voice is tight when I answer, still thinking about our first kiss which will soon be a reality.

  Glancing around her space, I move toward her couch. The walls are painted a light beige and she’s hung brightly colored works of art throughout. The paintings infuse the space with a warm and happy feeling or maybe that’s just from being in her company. Red curtains flank her patio door plus all her windows and there are matching pillows on her sofa. Walking over to the sliding glass door, I check to make sure the lock is secure. I already care about this girl and her safety is important.

  I sink down into the softness of her brown leather couch just as she walks into the room. Our fingers touch when she hands me the ice water, the cubes clink against the glass and I nearly fumble my hold. I raise it to my lips and drink a large gulp of the chilly water, a soothing relief against my suddenly dry mouth. I’m acting like a nervous virgin, not the experienced man I am.

  Being this close to her and knowing she’ll soon be in my arms, is doing funny things to me - things that never happen. I don’t get a strange feeling in my stomach when I’m around women. I never worry whether a woman will enjoy kissing me. I know they will. Yet, I find myself obsessing over what kind of kiss I should give her. Should it be soft and gentle, the merest brush of our lips? Should it start out innocent and progress as passion takes over?

  Placing my glass down on the end table, I glance at Janny sitting beside me. Our thighs are separated by only an inch or two, but it might as well be a mile with how unsure I’m feeling. This tiny slip of a woman is killing what little game remains from my wild and crazy days. I’ve reverted to a fumbling teenager waiting for the right moment to make a move.

  She angles her upper body toward mine. “Kiss me,” she blurts out, making my heart thunder in my chest.

  Turning to face her, I trail the back of my fingers down her pink flushed cheek, all the way to the tip of her chin. My thumb slides up to caress her lower lip and delicately map out its curve, before moving on to trace over the bow of her upper one. I could spend hours memorizing the shape of her mouth and never tire of it. My eyes raise searching her beautiful blue ones for any sign of doubt or hesitation on her part. I recognize the emotion I see reflected there and it’s the same thing I’m feeling.

  Desire.

  Knowing she’s patiently waiting for my kiss is a powerful aphrodisiac. I want to throw her down on the couch and own her body in every imaginable way, drowning her in a sea of ecstasy until she’s begging me to stop. If this was anyone besides Janny I wouldn’t hesitate or worry about the consequences. But it’s not any other girl. This is what I’ve been waiting for. This needs to be the best first kiss of her life. Every other first kiss I’ve given has been building toward this moment.

  My head lowers, her eyes drift shut, while I lightly brush my lips against hers. I pull back to gauge her reaction, finding a slight smile on her face and now that I know she likes where this is going all fucking bets are off. I’ve just lost the last fucking thread of resistance holding me back. I take her lips, swallowing her gasp of surprise. My arms wrap around her slight frame, pulling her into me. I’m almost dizzy with anticipation as our tongues come together for the first time.

  Desire, more powerful than I’ve ever felt grips me, moving straight to my cock. I expected her to be tentative or hesitant, not the little temptress who’s gripping my hair and pressing her tits against my chest. As we continue to kiss, she breaths a soft moan into my mouth when my hands caress down over her hips, trailing lower until I’m cupping her heart shaped ass in both of my large palms. I slide my hands all over the generous curves. My painful erection is almost more than I can take. Gripping her hips with my fingers, I lift her to straddle my lap and our mouths never break apart.

  The first press of her heat against my cock has me on the verge of coming like an inexperienced schoolboy. I can’t control the guttural groan that escapes when my lips leave hers, trailing across her cheek and ending below her ear. I suck on the bottom of her earlobe, before gently biting on it with my teeth. She gasps, dropping her head back and I can’t resist such temptation. My lips trail down the side of her neck and then climb back up, stopping to bite and suck along the way. I nuzzle my nose behind her ear and her alluring scent assaults me. She smells sweet, like the most enticing chocolate cupcakes and she tastes better than I imagined.

  Her pelvis grinds down into mine and I roll my hips up to meet hers. I know if I don’t put a stop to this now, it’s going to end with me buried eight inches deep inside her. Although there’s nothing I want more, she deserves better from me. It takes every ounce of inner strength I can rally to stop devouring her neck and hold her still on my lap. Resting my forehead against hers, my hands travel up and down her back.

  “Janny, we have to stop, before this goes any further.” My breaths are labored when I speak, “I don’t want to rush things with us.” My palms reverently cup both of her cheeks, holding her still in front of me. My eyes journey over the bewitching plains of her face until they lock with hers. “I want to keep seeing you. Can I take you out again sometime soon?”

  She shyly smiles at me, her cheeks flushed with passion when she whispers, “I’d love that.”

  Chapter Five

  Janny

  My date with Kyle on Friday night went better than I’d hoped. Now, here I am, three days later, sitting in the library, still replaying each moment in my mind instead of focusing on the essay I’m writing. It surprised me how attentive he was. I loved holding his hand as we walked along the North End sidewalks. My hand felt so tiny in his, yet his hold on me was gentle. He’s so much taller than me, it felt like I had my own personal bodyguard with me. I noticed the stares from other people, I don’t think anyone would dare try to harm me when I’m with him. He seems like he knows how to take care of himself and I know being a cop, and now a private investigator, he’s been trained in hand to hand combat. I’m sure there’ve been times when he’s been in unexpected altercations due to his job.

  I’ve always been attracted to the type of guy who makes me feel protected. I typically don’t date the artistic types, like Josh. Speaking of Josh, I’m glad things seem to be back to normal with us. It took a handful of days before he texted me and now I’ve made it clear we’ll never again be more than friends. We were friends before we wer
e lovers and I never want to lose him. He and Elle are the most important people in my life and I’d be lost without either one of them.

  “Hey, Jam.” Elle sneaks up behind me and scares me half to death.

  I take a deep breath, my hand on my now pounding heart. “Jesus Elle, give me some warning next time. You just scared years off my life.”

  She laughs at me before she takes the seat at the end of the table. She drops her bright pink messenger bag on the table without a thought for the brand-new laptop inside and leans forward, resting on her elbows. “What’s new with you, Jam? We keep missing each other. Whenever I’m home, you’re not. Are you trying to tell me something?” Elle has called me Jam, short for Janice Alicia Moore, since the first day we met. My parents named me after my great grandmother, but I was always Janny to them.

  “No, it’s because you’ve been busy spending time at our hunky neighbor’s apartment.”

  “True. All weekend he fucked my brains out so hard; you’re lucky I remember who you are.” I giggle, loving her outrageous answer.

  “By the way, how did your date go the other night?”

  I rest both of my arms on the table and lean closer toward Elle. “I had an amazing time with Kyle. He’s different than I thought he’d be.” I pause for a moment and chew on my bottom lip.

  “How so?” Elle interrupts, impatient as ever.

  “He behaved like a perfect gentleman at dinner and dessert. I let him drive me home and even invited him in.”

  Elle’s eyebrows rise with each word I say. She knows I never let guys bring me home on a first date.

  “I didn’t think he’d ever kiss me and by the time he did I thought I might explode. I can’t remember ever longing for a first kiss like I did with him.” I tuck my hair behind my ear and lower my eyes as I think about our hot kiss. The way he maneuvered me into his lap and the dry humping we did had me ready to come. When I look back up at Elle she’s fanning herself with her hand.